Liquid wallpaper: advantages and disadvantages

Most people are used to making repairs on their own. This makes it possible to create a unique design and put a piece of your soul into the interior. Most often, it is possible to finish the walls, change the wallpaper. Liquid wallpaper will be an interesting material for such work. It will be a pleasure to create an exclusive design with interesting material. Before starting, it is important to study all the pros and cons, the features of the work.

Liquid wallpaper is an analogue of textured plaster. The composition is produced in the form of a dry mix in a sealed package. This mixture is diluted with plain water. Less often they sell already wet liquid wallpaper.

Such decorative plaster gives the walls a unique and sophisticated look. The walls look especially charming and unusual. The production of liquid wallpaper is fine-tuned in such a way that you can easily combine different colors of the material. For especially demanding customers, additional decorative additives are offered that diversify the appearance of walls or ceilings.

The main criterion for dividing liquid wallpaper into types is the components that are part of the mixture. The main types of material:

• Cellulosic. The wood product is the main component of these wallpapers. Paper, sawdust and the like are used in the manufacture of the composition. The solution has a color ranging from white to brown.

• Silk. The basic component is silk threads. Such a component gives the material a special pattern and sophistication. Silk threads are resistant to ultraviolet rays, which prolongs the life of the wallpaper. Vivid colors do not change with use.

• Pulp and silk. Such materials are equally composed of both threads and wood processing products. Thus, the material combines the advantages of the above types.

Liquid wallpaper has two main components: silk and cellulose fibers, KMS glue. It also contains antiseptics and dyes, plasticizers. To prepare the finished mass, it is necessary to add water to the powder. Fibers are processed products of the respective industries, in the case of pulp, these can be newspapers and similar waste paper. In some cases, glitter or other decorative elements are added to the composition.

Walls with such a coating have access to oxygen because liquid wallpaper has pores.Moreover, the coating tends to keep warm inside the rooms and suppress extraneous noise. The liquid formulation has a neutral electrical charge. Thanks to this, dust does not accumulate on the surface, and static electricity does not form during friction. The material fully complies with fire safety requirements.

Reviews show that people's opinions about liquid wallpaper differ due to personal preference. Before buying such a finishing material, it is necessary to study all the objective advantages and disadvantages.

It is worth noting the following advantages:

• The surface of the walls is flat. The absence of joints and seams is a nice bonus of the liquid material.
• If you suffer from allergies - liquid wallpaper was invented for you. They are completely safe and do not release toxins during use.
• On occasion, you can level the walls with a finishing material.
• The composition will be a real salvation for regulating the optimal room humidity. Breathable moisture resistant mixtures allow steam to pass through.

• They do not create problems when covering surfaces of different curvature and complexity.
• In case of unexpected damage, restoration of the coating can be carried out. A small scratch can simply be moistened with water and smoothed out. In case of major damage or color change, it is worth removing the material in the right place and applying a new layer.
• Covering with liquid wallpaper improves the thermal and acoustic insulation of the room.

• If there is a flood in the house, the coating will remain on the walls. After getting wet, the walls should not be touched so as not to accidentally remove the mass from the wall. Once dry, the wallpaper will look the same.
• If desired, the composition can be removed from the walls, diluted with water and covered again.
• High maintainability will delight pet owners. Any scratch can be simply wiped off.
• The interesting texture of the wallpaper makes it possible to create an interesting design.

Disadvantages of liquid wallpaper coating:

• Cellulose wallpaper will fade in the sun. They should not be used indoors on the south side.
• The wallpaper can only stand dry cleaning. They can be vacuumed or cleaned with a soft brush.
• Old or stubborn stains of dirt, grease cannot be removed. The only option is to remove some of the coating and apply a patch.

• Not every base is suitable for applying a liquid formulation. Easy to work with a rough wall. A smooth surface will not work, the wallpaper will run off.
• For a high-quality coating, it is necessary to prepare the surface in a special way. It is important to consider both the roughness of the wall and its original color.
• It will take quite a long time for self-repair, especially for beginners.

As you can see, there are quite a few significant drawbacks. A large list of benefits flattens them out. If you are upset by the impossibility of wet cleaning, there is a way out. You can apply varnish to liquid wallpaper, then the surface will repel water.

Liquid wallpaper is suitable for walls and even ceilings. A wide range of colors and a variety of textures attract buyers. A wide variety of colors allows you to choose the desired shade and even create a gradient style coating. So, your walls can be plain or combine several colors.

So, designers urge to use colors that are on opposite sides of the circle to create contrasts. Combine adjacent colors for tonal similarity.

To create a business atmosphere in the workroom, it is recommended to use beige, white or gray colors of liquid wallpaper. Any coating can be diversified with additional decorative elements.

The dark color of the wallpaper can be an interesting option for decorating the work area of ​​the kitchen. On a surface of this color, various contaminants will be less noticeable, which means that restoration can be carried out less often. A pair of red and black tones is a must-try ensemble.

Many manufacturers offer consumers ready-made interesting ensembles. The composition may include cellulose, silk and cotton fibers with various dyes and decorative crumbs. Such mixtures can be sold in a single package with combined components or as multiple packages with separate components.

Often pastel colors of liquid wallpaper act as an addition to the interior. So the basis of the composition can be a photo wallpaper on the main, most prominent, wall. The rest of the zones can be decorated with a suitable liquid composition.

Liquid wallpaper can be either matte or glossy. More precisely, in its standard form, the wallpaper becomes dull after drying. To create gloss, a special varnish is used. You can cover any composition with it and it will sparkle with shine.

A variety of textures and colors in the assortment of liquid wallpaper makes it possible to create a unique visual effect, convey the volume and depth of the image. By changing the direction of movement, you can also diversify the texture. With liquid wallpaper, you can create whole works of art on the walls.

Applying liquid wallpaper differs significantly from gluing the materials we are used to. First you need to calculate and find out how much mixture is required.

Experts say that when applying wallpaper with a spatula, about 300 g of dry mixture per 1 sq. m. So, for calculations, it is necessary to measure the height and width of the walls, window and door openings.

Further, the calculation is as follows:

• To calculate the area of ​​the elements, multiply the width and length. So you will find out the sizes of walls, windows, doors and zones that will not be decorated (if any).
• Add up the area of ​​all the walls.
• Subtract the total area of ​​windows, doors and empty zones from this number.

When calculating, one should take into account not only the area, but also additional factors. Much depends on the condition of the walls and the tool you are using. Consider also a certain stock of wallpaper and your experience in such work. Beginners need a little more material than professionals.

You can determine the required layer thickness by eye. The optimal amount of mass is determined simply - the wall should not be visible through the coating. If the color of the wallpaper is saturated, you will need a layer of less thickness. If the tone of the wallpaper is softer, more material may be required.

For manual application of the liquid composition, you will need the following tools:

• To prepare materials, you will need a bucket of 12 liters or more.
• Spatula for liquid wallpaper. Such a tool is particularly smooth and is made of stainless steel or plexiglass.
• Trowel or pistol. Such a tool serves as an alternative to a putty knife.
• Transparent float for leveling the finished coating.

• Priming roller.
• To putty the walls, you will need spatulas of different sizes.
• Spray for formulations that simply cannot be applied with hand tools.

First you need to carefully remove the previous coating. The wallpaper should be removed completely. If the old paint starts to bubble, then remove it as well. Now you need to align the visible defects.

Smooth walls should be primed.

Its use has a beneficial effect on the characteristics of liquid wallpaper:

• The color of the coating does not change.
• Strength is improved.
• The indicators of noise and thermal insulation are significantly increased.
• Low moisture absorption.

The priming features depend on the surface you choose:

• Drywall. The entire surface should be primed because the seams absorb more moisture than the sheets themselves. Cover the plasterboard walls with a primer mortar at least 2-3 times.
• Painting. The application of the primer depends on the thickness of the paint layer and the material underneath. If the paint is applied according to all the requirements, then there is no need to prime at all. For a good effect, apply liquid wallpaper within 24 hours after priming.
• Whitewash. Peel off the material and apply a good quality primer to the wall.

• Chipboard. Such a wall initially absorbs moisture unevenly. Apply about 3 coats of primer.
• Wood. Even a high-quality array needs to be primed. This is due to the specific structure of the wood.
• Concrete. It is imperative to treat a solid concrete surface with a primer solution before applying liquid wallpaper.
• Oil paint. If the paint is applied in a fairly thick layer, then there is no need to prime the walls.
• Plywood. Plywood sheets need to be primed about 3 times.

The best way to treat the wall just before applying liquid wallpaper is with plaster. It is on a rough surface that the finishing material is better applied. It is desirable that the primer solution has the same effect.

If even after priming the wall has an uneven tone, then it is necessary to paint it. Otherwise, the base will shine through the liquid wallpaper.

All metal fragments should be removed from the wall. If this is not possible, then the metal should be painted to match the base with water-repellent paint. If you neglect this rule, then the metal will rust during the drying process of the wallpaper and the corrosion will appear as an ugly stain.

Liquid wallpaper is sold as dry mixes. To make a solution, you need to mix the dry component with water. Water consumption depends on many factors and is always indicated in the instructions. Pour the contents of the bag into a bucket, add water and stir until smooth. The finished mixture resembles minced meat.

You can mix everything with your hands, there are no harmful substances in the composition. Put the finished mass back into the bag, twist and leave to rest for 5-12 hours. This will give time for the mass to be equally saturated with water. During drying, the wet mass becomes lighter, this must be taken into account.

For finishing work you will need a new trowel. It is better to choose a tool with a working surface made of transparent plastic, this will simplify the task.

Process description:

• Apply the swollen compound to the wall in a convenient amount.
• Spread on the wall in a circular motion.
• Add the next batch and continue working.

Cover the wall completely at one time. If for some reason this did not work out, then before proceeding with the work, spray the joint well with water and wait about 25 minutes. For corners, it is better to choose an angled spatula. So the work will be done more efficiently and quickly. Apply the mixture on both sides of the corner, run with a spatula, and stretch the excess along the walls in different directions.

Some experts suggest using another method of applying the composition - with a roller.Approach his choice responsibly. It is important that the pile is short, firm and gathered in groups. Tool width - 15 cm.

Description of work:

• Apply the compound to the wall with a spatula. Thickness doesn't matter.
• Roll the composition along the wall with a roller.
• Apply the next batch and roll again.

Such a tool helps to maintain the same layer thickness. The finished surface will be more textured and rough.

A high-quality finish will delight you with its appearance for many years only if all drying rules are followed. Violation of technology can ruin the surface and leave no chance for recovery.

Factors that affect the drying time of liquid wallpaper:

• The quality of finishing work.
• The amount of water in the mass, the thickness of the layer of liquid wallpaper.
• Indoor temperature and humidity.
• The presence of a draft or ventilation in the room.

So, liquid wallpaper dries from 1 to 5 days. During the first 24 hours, the bulk of the liquid evaporates. You can check the condition of the wallpaper in this way - touch the cover with your hand.

Liquid wallpaper can be divided into several types:

• Materials with cellulose and cotton fibers dry the fastest. It is important to know that they are the most sensitive to drafts.
• Polymer additives increase the drying time, but it is they that provide resistance to cold air masses.
• If the wallpaper contains additives from metals or minerals, then drying will last again. Such a coating requires uniform heating of all walls, but after drying it will please with its strength.

Thus, the drying time can be increased up to 2-3 weeks. You need to ventilate the room evenly, avoiding drafts. Make sure that the air temperature fluctuates between 25-27 degrees.

After drying, additional processing may be required. Often the surface with dried wallpaper is covered with a special transparent varnish. This increases the service life.

How to properly apply liquid wallpaper on the wall, see the next video.

Proper home care will significantly increase the lifespan of the finish. Such wallpaper should be vacuumed or wiped with a dry soft brush.

The use of decorative topcoats will bring you joy with proper care. If necessary, you can restore the surface. Remove the damaged fragment with a sharp spatula and water. Now apply a layer of wallpaper again in the same place.

Wall decoration with liquid wallpaper is found in many modern houses and apartments. The use of the material is universal, because both walls and ceilings can be covered. The interior of the bedroom is often complemented with such an interesting finishing material.

It is quite simple to choose a hypoallergenic coating for a restroom. The color depends on the general design style and personal preferences of the owners. Such a coating creates a special coziness and warm atmosphere. You can create a romantic atmosphere with glitter wallpaper.

The living room and hall with liquid wallpaper will become the real pride of the owners of the house. It is pleasant to meet guests in such a room. Any dinner will be festive and special if you are surrounded by exquisite velvety walls.

Liquid wallpaper can decorate not only rooms, but also a balcony. A loggia with such a finish will become a real place to relax.

The use of liquid wallpaper in the bathroom, in the toilet, in the kitchen is the freedom for imagination. The textured mass makes it possible to divide the room into functional zones. Moreover, the material can be combined with others, even with tiles.

With liquid wallpaper, you can create a unique design and turn your walls into a real work of art. If you want your walls to play in a new way, then glitter will help you. The canvas will play in the light and delight the household. A variety of additional decor will help to decorate the environment.

The color and texture of the wallpaper depends solely on your preference. A wide assortment is presented on the modern market. With the help of many types of liquid wallpaper, you can create a special relief. You can create various patterns and designs without even having artistic skills - stencils will help you.

Vertical stripes can visually make the walls taller, but horizontal stripes are perfect for rooms with high ceilings. Choose light colors for small rooms. Brighter and more saturated wallpapers look great in large and spacious rooms. If you want to create something interesting, decorate one wall with patterns or a full painting.

Using liquid wallpaper, you can give any room a festive and rich look. To do this, choose liquid wallpaper with the addition of specially treated silk fibers. Fine golden threads of silk look great in halls and living rooms. For lovers of modern styles, there is a special option - you can cover the walls with spots of different colors.

Wall art can be created in several ways. You can spray or apply the desired pattern with a spatula by hand or using a stencil. Another way is volumetric appliqué. This is possible due to the special structure and relief of liquid wallpaper. The main thing is to follow the direction of the fibers.

With the help of liquid wallpaper, an ordinary apartment will turn into a citadel of celebration and comfort. Design ideas will give you inspiration and help you decide.

The main factor in determining the color of the decoration in the bedroom is the style of the interior. The design styles are combined with the finishing coating in this way:

• Antique, Baroque, Renaissance and Empire. Decorating a room in such styles requires a lot of spending on furniture and accompanying decor. But with wall covering, everything is much simpler. Choose wallpaper with gold threads to add a rich look and special charm to the surface. The antique style does not require any additives at all, just select the composition of the desired color.
• Classical. Liquid wallpaper in a classic interior looks very useful. Due to the flexibility of design, you can choose both a composition with additives and a laconic monochromatic.

• Hi-tech, techno and minimalism. These styles are united by simplicity and clarity of lines. Liquid wallpaper will help you out in this case too. You can dilute the interior with various textures and reliefs, bring freshness to it.
• Ecostyle. The presented material is excellent for wall decoration in an ecological style. The liquid wallpaper itself is natural and does not cause allergies.
• Ethno style. A rich selection of colors allows imagination to roam. With the help of liquid wallpaper, you can easily create panels and special designs in ethnic style.

The interior of the kitchen can be either decorated or supplemented with liquid wallpaper. So, many housewives divide the kitchen into a work area and an area for eating. The first is made up of tiles that are easy to clean while cooking. The second is decorated with liquid wallpaper, which creates additional comfort. When choosing wallpaper, start from the general style of the room:

• For a classic kitchen, choose a pastel wallpaper.
• Solid color liquid wallpaper for a loft-style kitchen is ideal.
• A country-style wood kitchen will create a great and cozy composition with a soft wall covering.
• Metallic surfaces, clean lines and solid liquid wallpaper make for the perfect high-tech kitchen.

• Textured wallpaper in calm tones will make the Provence-style kitchen even more romantic and delicate.
• If your kitchen is decorated in a retro style, then liquid wallpaper in one tone will perfectly support the overall atmosphere.
• If you can't stop your choice on something specific, then try eclecticism. Here the final choice of colors and textures depends only on your wishes.

Liquid cellulose wallpaper will decorate your bathroom. Divide the room into zones using a combination of contrasting tones. An interesting option is to decorate one wall in the form of an underwater world with textured fish. The areas near the washbasin and bathtub can be tiled and the rest of the room can be decorated to taste.

To decorate the hallway, it is better to cover the liquid wallpaper with a special transparent varnish. So the coating will gain special strength, and you will have an excellent opportunity to perform wet cleaning at will. Liquid wallpaper at the entrance will give the apartment a modern look and will delight you. The use of additional decor will give the setting a special charm.