Glass fiber for painting: material features

The construction market offers a lot of different materials for finishing ceilings and walls. This includes wallpaper, tiles, and decorative plaster. But recently, more and more interest among buyers in Russia is caused by fiberglass, which has already gained popularity all over the world. It is necessary to figure out what it is and why this type of finish is worth paying attention to when repairing.

Glass fiber is a material that is obtained by heating glass at very high temperatures (over 1000 degrees). After heating, filamentary fibers of various sizes are formed, which are woven into single webs. To give increased strength characteristics, the surface is coated with a starch adhesive. Thus, the structure and shape of the wallpaper is fixed. This glass material contains silica sand, limestone, dolomite and soda.

This type of finish belongs to roll materials. Most often, white glass wallpaper for painting is used. Fiberglass surfaces are best painted with latex or water-based paints.

The majority, when thinking about glass fiber wallpaper, imagines white rolls with an incomprehensible relief. There are actually two main types of fiberglass wallpaper:

• Smooth the canvases are made of translucent glass sheet material. The most common name is "cobweb", which characterizes this species. They are mainly used for ceiling decoration, as they do not have a high density.
• Textured. In this case, the density is high, the relief is expressed with various patterns. This type can be safely glued to the walls.

High-quality wallpapers usually have a recommended density of 100 g / sq. m. Depending on this indicator, the grade of the product is determined:

• First grade. Best quality high density wallpaper. They can be used for finishing both walls and ceilings. Rolls for the sale of premium quality wallpaper must have protective linings against damage during transportation.
• Second grade. They have lower quality characteristics. Sold in plastic wrap.
• Third grade. In this case, the presence of a marriage is possible, manifested in defects in patterns and protruding fibers.

The color scale of glass fiber wallpaper determines their purpose:

1. The first group - light wallpapers (white and beige), intended for painting.
2. The second group is represented by different shades of paintings. They can be used as a fine finish.

There is an opinion that glass fabrics have a small selection of patterns. But modern technologies do not stand still. The more common type of roll materials with a small pattern. The textured pattern is repeated and is standard, therefore it is in demand in the decoration of office premises. Patterns "matting", "herringbone", "cage" and other typical patterns in combination with pastel tones of the walls do not irritate the eyes and do not distract during work, making it difficult to concentrate.

An important characteristic at the stage of choosing fiberglass, like other finishing materials, is their water resistance.According to this indicator, three types of fiberglass materials can be distinguished.

Each type is identified with its own label on the roll:

• One wave. Cloths with a loose structure, practically impossible to clean. You can clean them with a soft cloth without water.
• Two waves. In this case, you can afford to use a damp cloth or sponge when leaving.
• Three waves. The most durable wallpaper allows you to clean yourself with any household detergent.

Characteristics of fiberglass:

• High density index - ranging from 110 g / sq. m up to 220 g / sq. m.
• Long lifespan (Manufacturers talk about using wallpaper for 30 years).
• Environmentally friendly and hypoallergenic. The manufacturing method and composition allow you to safely use this finish in bedrooms and in children's rooms.
• Antistatic. The surface of the canvases is not electrified, therefore, and does not attract dust. Therefore, the wallpaper will retain its original appearance longer.
• Easy to care for and clean.
• Fiberglass is not susceptible to microorganisms. Mold and mildew with such a finish will not be scary even in high humidity conditions.
• Lack of reaction to ultraviolet rays. The color does not change with prolonged exposure to the sun.
• The dense structure allows you to paint the wallpaper in any color without fear of bleeding spots and visible defects.
• Fire safety. No toxic impurities are released during combustion.
• Glass fiber can be used under the putty as a reinforcing mesh to smooth out the slight curvature of the walls.

All these positive properties of the material determine the consistency of its use. At the same time, the price factor is important, but most buyers can afford various brands of fiberglass.

On sale there are standard roll sizes with a width of 1 and a length of 25 meters. They are quite lightweight, so they do not cause problems in transportation.

The main competitors of fiberglass products in the construction market are non-woven wallpaper. Both types of canvases are used for painting. Products are united by many similar properties: environmental friendliness, fire safety, vapor permeability, and durability. But glass fibers have their advantages: unlike non-woven ones, they do not collect dust, are more resistant to mechanical damage, and can be washed with water.

Their cons are:

• Difficulties in dismantling. If you decide to change the finish, you need to separate the wallpaper from the walls using special compounds. This process is laborious, long and dirty. High-quality non-woven liner comes off without problems.

• Selection of glue. Glass fiber can be glued only with specially designed means.
• Paint consumption. The structure of the canvases requires more paint to be applied, which is not very economical.
• Necessity of neat cutting. Edges can crumble when cutting, so skin and eyes must be protected.

In general, both finishes can be used equally well, and which one to choose depends on your preferences and finances. (High-quality non-woven fabrics are much more expensive). Fiberglass coatings are getting good reviews from both professional craftsmen and regular customers. Customers note the durability, strength and beautiful appearance of the painted canvases.

Sometimes it is not so easy to choose high-quality glass wallpaper. It is sometimes impossible to visually distinguish a high-end product from a substandard product. Buyers are sometimes guided by the density and thickness of the material. But this is the wrong criterion. An unscrupulous manufacturer can increase the consumption of impregnation to increase the density of the product.As a result, this will lead to the fact that after pasting the canvases are distorted, deformed, may decrease in size and lose elasticity. The clarity of the structure of the picture can also be impaired.

If you have the opportunity to pre-test the quality of the wallpaper on a small piece, it's worth taking advantage of it. Stick the canvas onto the base, wait until dry, paint with a roller, applying light pressure. If the surface has changed its appearance or is deformed, such glass wallpaper should not be taken.

If you have to choose fiberglass materials in the store without prior trial, follow the guidelines below:

• Check the quality packaging of rolls and compliance with its declared grade.
• Trust famous brands. Popular manufacturers have earned a certain reputation and monitor the quality of their product. The choice can be stopped on the products of the Swedish brand Johns Manville with the lines "Tassoglas", "Wellton" and the most famous in Russia "Virtulan". The Czech manufacturer Vertex offers all the main patterns of glass sheets at affordable prices. China also did not stand aside from the new trend. Nortex brand products adequately compete with European counterparts and have a wide range of drawings.

• After determining the bale consumption, pay attention to their size... The standard is not always followed. Some manufacturers make products with a width of 2 meters or a length of 50 meters.
• Typical textures "herringbone", "matting", "drops" may seem too boring to decorate bedrooms or living rooms. In this case, in order to complement the design of your rooms with modern and beautiful canvases, you can choose designer patterns made on jacquard looms. In this case, you will receive both a high-quality and durable finish and a spectacular appearance.
• Don't forget to pick up the glue, which is specially designed for fiberglass wallpaper.

First of all, you need to decide on the type of paint:

• It is better to stop the choice on water-based or water-dispersion compositions, since they are the most environmentally friendly for use in homes.
• Styrene-butadiene paints are waterproof and fit well, but they can fade in the sun, so it is not advisable to use them everywhere.
• Polyvinyl acetate compounds are not waterproof. At its low cost, the paint is very limited in the field of application.
• Acrylic dyes are the best option. The coating is non-fading, wear-resistant, water-resistant and very durable. The color takes on saturation and brightness. Ease of care and quick painting result in a high price for the product.

The choice of a suitable paint depends on the type of room in which you will be doing the renovation.

• In living rooms, you should give preference to the decorative effect of paint. The load on the walls is minimal. It will be enough water-based composition or latex in the case of a relief texture of glass fiber.

• In bathrooms and kitchens, first of all, water resistance and resistance to cleaning are needed. Acrylics are the most suitable, albeit expensive.
• Children's rooms, hallways and corridors must withstand increased loads, so do not skimp on paint and give preference to acrylic.

The technology for painting glass fiber does not differ much from other types of coatings, but it is worth considering some of the nuances:

• First of all, you need to wait until the glue with which the wallpaper is glued to the walls is completely dry. Drying times are usually indicated on the packaging with the composition. But in any case, do not start painting earlier than 24 hours after pasting.

• Preparing the premises is an important stage that will save you from unwanted consequences. It is better to cover the floors with film materials, as well as stationary elements, you can additionally glue small parts with masking tape.
• It is better not to omit the priming stage. This will reduce paint consumption and guarantee better adhesion to the wallpaper surface.A highly diluted wallpaper adhesive can be used as a primer.
• It is customary to paint it first in hard-to-reach areas: corners, joints. It is better to use small brushes for this.

• After processing the edges, you can paint over the main surface of the sheets with a roller. It is worth refusing to work with brushes even of large sizes in order to achieve uniform application of the composition and the absence of streaks. If you have applied too much paint, the excess can be removed with a foam roller.
• When painting, grasp adjacent sheets and do not allow them to dry to avoid visible seams. It turns out that you have to complete the entire painting process indoors at one time.
• Experts recommend applying the paint in two layers to obtain the best coverage and color saturation. But before re-processing, the surface must be completely dry.

There are four methods of painting glass wallpaper to achieve different visual effects:

• The use of borders. An excellent choice for finishing in a classic style of rooms with high ceilings. The main condition is that the pattern of cullets above and below the curb coincides. The material is applied after the installation of the main canvases and their full readiness for further work. It is important to pay attention to the markup in order to get the most accurate result possible.
• Stencil. Allows you to get original and unusual drawings on the walls. Perfect for decorating a bedroom or nursery. You can use blanks from stores or make a pattern yourself using masking tape.

• Squeegee technology. Gives a unique shimmering or shimmering effect. Choose a base tone, preferably deep and bright. Then apply a decorative compound with a glossy or metallic effect (you can choose from special varnishes). Then remove the dye with a foam sponge. The decorative composition will remain only inside the relief and will give a beautiful shine.
• Azure. On the dried basic tone, it is necessary to apply short transverse lines with azure with a flat brush. After 15-20 minutes, spread the composition over the entire surface with a rubber spatula. Visually, it looks like a blurry picture. You get a unique decor.

When working with fiberglass, problems may arise if the work technique is violated. And, of course, you should know what to do if you are tired of your finish.

To begin with, it is important to understand that it will be difficult to turn dark saturated walls into white or pastel. Choose colors that are close in brightness and shades. It is better to use acrylic paint because it will best cover the previous color. You need to paint in two passes. With one layer, you run the risk of blurring and messy effect on the surface. It is important to choose the right tool. It should be a spray gun or roller with a large nap so that it can penetrate into the recesses in the drawing.

If you plan to later repaint the wallpaper more than once, choose glass fabrics with a deep relief. After all, each application of paint will reduce it and can spoil the drawing.

If you find that certain colored areas of the wallpaper have begun to peel off the walls, this is most likely the result of improper gluing conditions. There could be a draft, too low temperature or excessive humidity in the room. Also, the problem often arises in the kitchen, because without hoods above the kitchen set, air circulation and heat exchange are disturbed. There is only one way out - if possible, eliminate temperature fluctuations, dry the room, if necessary, apply a primer to the damaged areas and re-glue.

Wallpaper may come off if you forget to apply a primer, or the walls are too cold, or the adhesive is not suitable for fiberglass.

In any case, the technique must be followed with accuracy, because it is very difficult to completely remove damaged canvases and there is a high risk of damaging adjacent sheets.

Bubbles are most often formed after gluing fiberglass as a result of uneven application of glue to the wall or moisture disturbance. Such a defect can be easily eliminated with your own hands. It is necessary to use an ordinary syringe and deliver the glue to the problem area. Then carefully smooth the surface with a soft roller.

For information on the features of the material of glass wallpaper for painting, see the following video: