Wall coverings are used predominately to enhance an area and improve it´s overall look without having to spend a great deal….


Wall coverings are used predominately to enhance an area and improve it´s overall look without having to spend a great deal of money.  In order to better understand both the function and versatility of wall coverings it is important to know what types are available in the marketplace.

Types of Wall Coverings

When it comes to hard wall coverings, many people will opt for wood wall coverings made from solid wood or alternatively from vinyl coated chipboard.

Soft wall coverings include a range of materials including cork, felt and foamed vinyl although you don´t have to limit yourself to these alone as you may wish to investigate such coverings as crasscloth, hessian, silk and more.   Sisal and suede are unique wallcovering materials that give not only texture, but also depth to any room.

Wallpaper is also a commonly used wall covering and is generally pasted to the walls of your home with a non fungicidal paste.  There are types of wall paper that are water resistant making them ideal for areas that are prone to a high level of humidity, but essentially they are not suitable to tropical areas due to the fact that they can harbour fungal life in the dark area between the wall and the paper if a gap occurs.

Vinyl printed wall covering is also attached to the wall by means of paste and made from a plastic backing to a standard paper wall covering.  Due to the plastic covering , it is ideal for walls that experience condensation but is again not ideal for areas with high humidity.

How to Hang Wall Coverings

One of the main challenges when working with different types of wall coverings is assessing how to hang it professionally so that you don´t have bubbles and lines.  One of the biggest problem areas are corners as it is common for homes to have less than perfect edges to the construction.  One of the best ways to deal with corners is to ensure that the corner strips are cut into two.  You will need to measure the distance from the last attached sheet to the edge of the corner and then add an additional ten to fifteen millimetres to that strip.  Do the same for the opposing side and then lay the one over the other just so slightly.  There is a pretty good chance that the patterns will not match up, but having a straight line is often a great way to ensure that it still looks like a job done well.

Working around power points and light switches can also be challenging.  Essentially, you will like to remove the faceplate and tuck the wall covering behind it.  Allow for around one centimetre to be tucked behind the faceplate and when ready, turn of the electricity, unscrew the plate and move the wall covering into place.  Once the wall paper is neatly in place and the screws are back you can then turn the power back on.

No matter what type of wall covering you choose, ensuring that you put it up correctly often just requires a little practice.  Making use of whites which are cheap wall covering materials which often used as a backing or for painting over is a great way to practice applying covering without the expense or the concern that you won´t get it right first