What is linkrust and how to glue it?

There are different ways to decorate the walls. One of the interesting options is linkrust, which is considered a kind of wallpaper. With its help, you can create a sophisticated decor resembling stucco molding, while the work will take much less time, and you can glue such a coating yourself.

Lincrust has a paper or fabric base on which a layer of alkyd resin material or linseed oil gel is applied. Due to this bulk, you can create any relief by choosing a suitable pattern. The hardened surface can be easily painted, it can be made monochromatic or painted in different colors, highlighting certain decorative elements.

The main components in the composition are chalk, wood flour, wax. Linkrust made from natural materials is considered to be of higher quality. The use of synthetic additives allows you to reduce the cost of production and speed up drying, but this negatively affects the performance.

This finishing material is far from new, it was invented back in 1877. It was invented as a more practical replacement for stucco molding. This coating was more durable and durable, in addition, it could be washed. First, the new decoration appeared in the noble houses, and then it became available to ordinary people.

Today, the material has regained its popularity due to its advantages that attract buyers.

• Environmental friendliness. Someone follows trends, choosing natural products, while for others it is a necessity. Lincrust is safe for allergy sufferers and suitable for children's rooms.

• Air permeability. This property saves owners from problems with mold and mildew. Air flows easily pass through the canvas, so nothing melts under it and does not damp.

• Strength. The surface is resistant to damage - impacts, scratches, is not afraid of water ingress and does not crack when the house shrinks.

• Unpretentiousness. It is easy to care for linkrust - you can wipe it with a rag, use a sponge and soapy water to remove dirt. And also the coating has antistatic properties, so dust settles on it much less than on other materials.

With this finish, you can mask uneven walls. A three-dimensional pattern distracts attention and visually smooths out defects.

Linkrust also has some downsides.

• Price. Due to the peculiarities of production - natural materials and handwork - the canvases are quite expensive. Not everyone can afford such a purchase, so more affluent buyers often choose linkrust.

• Cold intolerance. Low temperatures are detrimental to this coating, it can crack and lose its attractive appearance. This option is not suitable for unheated premises.

• Duration of work. Although sticking linkrust is much easier than making stucco on the walls, it still takes time. It is necessary to prepare the surface, as well as soak and dry the canvases themselves.

If funds allow, linkrust will look great as a finish.

The first stage is the preparation of the walls.The overall quality of the work depends on this, therefore it is necessary to thoroughly clean the surface. It is necessary to remove scraps of wallpaper, paint residues, wash off the dirt. After that, putty cracks and irregularities, and when everything is dry, sand the walls. It is recommended to treat the surface with a deep penetration primer for the lyncrust to lie better.

When the preparation is complete, you can start cutting the wallpaper. This work should be carried out on a table or on the floor, because a linkrust weighs a lot - a roll can reach more than 10 kilograms.

Installation of linkrust has its own characteristics. Everything must be done correctly so that the material is securely fixed and does not deteriorate.

• The cut blades should be soaked in hot water. The temperature should be around 60 degrees. The wallpaper should be kept there for about 10 minutes.

• After that, the linkrust is taken out, laid out on a flat surface and excess water is removed. This can be done with a rag. The linens are left to dry, which usually takes 8-9 hours.

• The material is heavy and may slide off when glued. To prevent this, use a wooden lath for fixing.

• Complete drying takes more than a week, only after that it will be possible to paint the walls and carry out the finishing decoration.

To work with linkrust, a special glue is required, which ensures reliable adhesion to the wall surface.

The last step is painting the wallpaper. By themselves, they have a shade of ivory, but they can be given any desired color: brown, beige, blue, green, purple, wine and others. Two types of paints are suitable for work.

• Acrylic. They are safe, have a wide palette of shades, are easy to apply and are not afraid of moisture. The problem is that over time, acrylic reacts with the surface and begins to crumble.

• Oil. They also come in a variety of colors available and are easy to work with. At the same time, such paints sit firmly, unlike acrylic paints, and do not lose strength over time.

In addition to simple staining, which is easy to do with your own hands, there are other techniques. These are patinating, glazing, art painting, marble or wood decor, glazing.

Lincrust is well suited for the living room. There it will look stylish and luxurious. Best of all, furniture in a classic or Victorian style is combined with such a finish. And also unusual walls look quite interesting together with a minimalist modern interior - this is an option for those who do not want to overload the room with details.

Luxurious wallpapers are also suitable for the bedroom. Such a finish can be both around the entire perimeter, and on a separate part, for example, only at the headboard, to create an accent.

The first impression of the owners of the house is already on the doorstep, so using linkrust in the hallway is a good solution. The original design will surprise the guests, in addition, the surface can be washed, so dirt will not add serious hassle with cleaning.

Lincrust is also suitable for the bathroom. This material is not afraid of moisture, so you can use it for interior decoration.

You can come up with more original ways of using, for example, decorate the ceiling with an unusual panel, or highlight individual elements in the space.