Removable vs. Traditional Wallcoverings: Which Is Right for You?
Read about the pros and cons — and see great examples — of wallcovering options available for your home
It’s no secret that wallpaper has made quite a comeback in recent years. In fact, if you’re looking to add wallpaper into your home design, you will likely find that the number of options available to you is staggering.
As a designer who loves using wallpaper in decor, it’s important to me that my clients pick a wallpaper that is ideal for their home. That means choosing a wallpaper that not only matches their style but also works for their design and life needs.
The practicality of wallpaper has been an ongoing concern for decades, and while traditional “non-removable” wallpapers have come a long way, more people are looking at removable options for their homes.
Let’s take a look at the application, removal, mobility and budget options available for both removable and traditional wallcoverings to see which might work better for your home.
Let’s take a look at the application, removal, mobility and budget options available for both removable and traditional wallcoverings to see which might work better for your home.
1. Application
When it comes to ease of application, wallpapers that are advertised as removable don’t need any of the same adhesives that are needed to apply traditional wallpapers, which makes the application process much less messy.
By nature, removable wallpapers can be stuck, unstuck and restuck multiple times without any additional pastes or adhesives.
Browse removable wallpaper
When it comes to ease of application, wallpapers that are advertised as removable don’t need any of the same adhesives that are needed to apply traditional wallpapers, which makes the application process much less messy.
By nature, removable wallpapers can be stuck, unstuck and restuck multiple times without any additional pastes or adhesives.
Browse removable wallpaper
However, in my experience, most clients are not aware that the same is true for traditional wallpapers. You can adjust them during the installation process.
Wallpaper adhesives take time to stick (or bond) completely, so — assuming an appropriate adhesive is used in the application process — the installer has the freedom to take their time to get the paper perfectly aligned, even if it’s not on the first go.
Browse non-pasted wallpaper
Wallpaper adhesives take time to stick (or bond) completely, so — assuming an appropriate adhesive is used in the application process — the installer has the freedom to take their time to get the paper perfectly aligned, even if it’s not on the first go.
Browse non-pasted wallpaper
While removable wallpapers may be a less messy option, the ease of application remains largely the same for both types.
Ultimately, you need to take care when applying any wallpaper to ensure the wallpaper rolls are applied, aligned and matched up at the seams and wall edges.
Ultimately, you need to take care when applying any wallpaper to ensure the wallpaper rolls are applied, aligned and matched up at the seams and wall edges.
2. Removal
Wallpapers that are advertised as removable are created in a way that makes them easy to peel off, at any future date.
And while many people still think that traditional or non-removable wallpapers are difficult to get off and can damage your walls, the truth is this just isn’t the case anymore.
Manufacturers of wallpapers and adhesives today make it easy for anyone to remove their wallpaper, at any time. That’s assuming the walls underneath have been properly prepped and primed and the right adhesives were used to apply and remove it.
Wallpapers that are advertised as removable are created in a way that makes them easy to peel off, at any future date.
And while many people still think that traditional or non-removable wallpapers are difficult to get off and can damage your walls, the truth is this just isn’t the case anymore.
Manufacturers of wallpapers and adhesives today make it easy for anyone to remove their wallpaper, at any time. That’s assuming the walls underneath have been properly prepped and primed and the right adhesives were used to apply and remove it.
Therefore, if you’re choosing your wallpaper with the future ease of removal in mind, both advertised-as-removable and traditional wallcoverings can be removed, if care is taken during application and removal.
5 Things to Know Before Adding Wallpaper to Your Room
5 Things to Know Before Adding Wallpaper to Your Room
3. Mobility
Many wallcoverings are removable, but not all of them are reusable. Advertised-as-removable wallpapers are both removable and reusable, and as a homeowner (or renter) this can definitely be a plus.
One of the long-standing frustrations with wallpaper lovers has always been that you’ll want to take it with you if you leave. You haven’t always been able to do that, but removable options have made it possible.
Many wallcoverings are removable, but not all of them are reusable. Advertised-as-removable wallpapers are both removable and reusable, and as a homeowner (or renter) this can definitely be a plus.
One of the long-standing frustrations with wallpaper lovers has always been that you’ll want to take it with you if you leave. You haven’t always been able to do that, but removable options have made it possible.
Before you get too excited though, it’s worth mentioning that reusing your wallpaper would mean that your wall surface in your next home would need to be of a smaller square footage than your first area of installation.
It would also mean that any holes cut out of the wallpaper for electrical plugs or light switches would need to align perfectly in your second home, which makes reusing the wallpaper tricky.
Products that are marketed as reusable are wonderful in theory, but in practice they can be difficult to reapply in a new location.
Products that are marketed as reusable are wonderful in theory, but in practice they can be difficult to reapply in a new location.
Pro tip: Self-adhesive, reusable wallpapers come with an acetate or nonstick backing that you peel off before installation, so if you do decide to move your wallpaper from one home to another, make sure to keep the backing to effectively transport it to your new space.
In theory, traditional nonwoven and cloth-backed vinyl wallpapers can also be reused, but the same practical challenges will apply. Depending on the wallpaper, the surface area and the condition of your walls, you might be able to take it with you. It’s definitely an option to look into if you are in love with a pricey piece of paper you bought.
4. Budget
Good-quality wallpapers can be pricey. No matter what the type, wallpapers vary drastically in price.
Generally speaking, paper-backed wallpaper products are less expensive. That’s because they are made with wood pulp, but this makes them harder to remove and always non-reusable.
Any wallpaper that is nonwoven or fabric-backed will most likely be more expensive, regardless of whether a product is advertised as removable or whether it is simply removable based on its materials.
Good-quality wallpapers can be pricey. No matter what the type, wallpapers vary drastically in price.
Generally speaking, paper-backed wallpaper products are less expensive. That’s because they are made with wood pulp, but this makes them harder to remove and always non-reusable.
Any wallpaper that is nonwoven or fabric-backed will most likely be more expensive, regardless of whether a product is advertised as removable or whether it is simply removable based on its materials.
Because of the less messy application process, self-adhesive wallpapers often give people the confidence to install wallpaper themselves. They don’t have to worry about adhesives that can be tricky to apply and use. Having the opportunity to install wallpaper yourself means saving the cost of professional installation, which can be substantial.
Having said that, the benefits of a wallpaper installer extend far beyond just dealing with the sticky adhesives. An installer will also make sure that your walls are properly treated beforehand, that your wallpaper will be applied seamlessly to last and will ensure easy removal in future.
And if you’re dealing with nontraditional-shaped walls, it can be tricky to align the paper properly — no matter what type of wallpaper you choose. This is especially true if you’re not experienced at installation.
As a designer, I feel that the cost of installation serves many purposes, and I always encourage my clients to get their installed by a wallpaper professional.
Find a wallcovering professional in your area
And if you’re dealing with nontraditional-shaped walls, it can be tricky to align the paper properly — no matter what type of wallpaper you choose. This is especially true if you’re not experienced at installation.
As a designer, I feel that the cost of installation serves many purposes, and I always encourage my clients to get their installed by a wallpaper professional.
Find a wallcovering professional in your area
Your turn: What type of wallpaper did you last install? Why did you pick that option? Tell us in the Comments.
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