What is the difference between vinyl wallpaper and non-woven wallpaper and which is better??

Selecting the appropriate wallpaper for your home can significantly alter the way a room looks and feels overall. Vinyl wallpaper and non-woven wallpaper are two common choices. Although both can give your place a unique flair and individuality, there are some key distinctions between them that might make one a better fit for your requirements.

Vinyl wallpaper is composed of a sturdy plastic that is easy to clean and resistant to moisture. This makes it a great option for humid rooms like bathrooms and kitchens, as well as high-traffic areas. Additionally, vinyl wallpaper comes in a broad range of patterns and textures, so you can create a variety of styles, from sleek and contemporary to traditional and classic.

Conversely, non-woven wallpaper has a more breathable and environmentally friendly quality because it is composed of a mixture of natural and synthetic fibers. It is well renowned for being simple to install and take down, which can be a huge benefit if you like to regularly switch up your interior design. Since non-woven wallpaper is less likely to display cracks and bumps in the wall, it is generally more forgiving of wall imperfections.

Which is therefore superior? In the end, it comes down to your personal preferences and needs. Vinyl wallpaper could be the best option if you’re looking for something long-lasting and low-maintenance. Non-woven wallpaper might be your best option if you’d rather have an easy-to-install and remove wallpaper that also happens to be environmentally friendly. To choose the best option for your house, take into account the distinctive qualities of each type.

What is vinyl wallpaper

Vinyl wallpaper is a multilayer wall cladding material consisting of a PVC (polyvinyl chloride) top layer and paper or non-woven non-woven fabric backing. PVC is essentially a transparent, colorless thermoplastic polymer, or plastic. Some abbreviations for it include vinyl, sumilite, helvik, norvik, jeon, nippeon, and hostalite.

Note: It is evident from the definition of vinyl wallpaper given above that the type of trellis cannot be determined by the wallpaper backing. Nonetheless, non-woven vinyl trellises are referred to as non-woven on a lot of websites. This results in the finishing material being used improperly and deteriorating quickly; choosing the incorrect glue for a particular type of wallpaper has particularly dire repercussions.

Three-layer wallpapers, in which an opaque insert is affixed between the base and the front film to conceal bright areas on the wall surface (the wallpaper does not show through), have been more widely available for purchase recently.

Paper or non-woven material backings help the wallpaper stick to the wall more firmly than plastic, which does not adhere as well. The plastic top also serves as protection against water, sunlight, and scratches. Based on the mode of production, there are:

1. Trellis made of foamed vinyl – polyvinyl chloride applied to the substrate is subjected to heat treatment, as a result of which it foams, giving the wallpaper a three-dimensional structure with a beautiful relief;
2. Hot stamping vinyl, when flat wallpaper is heated and a relief pattern is applied to the PVC film with special rollers.

You can now choose from a wider variety of vinyl wallpaper thanks to technology. Emphasize:

• Vinyl compact – imitates stone, natural leather, including crocodile, wood, brick. Such trellises are very durable and can withstand any mechanical stress;
• Evaporated vinyl – using a special technology, all harmful substances are removed from PVC, as a result of which it becomes environmentally friendly;
• Silk-screen wallpaper – silk threads are added to polyvinyl chloride, which shimmer in the light like real silk fabric;
• Kitchen vinyl – has a rubberized insert that turns trellises into an indispensable material for wall decoration in the kitchen and bathroom.

What is non-woven wallpaper

Non-woven trellises are rolled fabrics composed primarily of cellulose fibers (about 70%) and additives. The word "non-woven" comes from the German word "Vliseline," which means non-woven material. These trellises have a high tensile strength and are thin. They are embossed, giving them a lovely, unique texture despite their thinness. When the house gets smaller, they don’t sag. Simple to adhere. effectively conceals small flaws in the wall’s surface.

Many reviews on forums indicate that most customers are happy with them. It’s true that there are a few glaringly bad aspects, but this is because consumers were too indolent to inquire further about the type of wallpaper they had actually purchased—non-woven or vinyl over a non-woven backing.

We consequently purchased glue for light-weight, non-woven trellises, which eventually came off after a few days. This reaffirms the previous assertion that vinyl wallpaper and non-woven wallpaper must be distinguished from one another.

Comparison of the characteristics of these types of wallpaper

In reality, choosing wallpaper is mostly determined by two factors: the wallpaper’s design and cost. But frequently, because of variations in operating environments, it’s necessary to compare other features in order to decide which type of wallpaper—vinyl or non-woven—is preferable:

• service life;
• resistance to abrasion and mechanical damage;
• ability to resist exposure to UV rays (burnout);
• difficulties of gluing;
• strength;
• how heavy;
• degree of impact on the health of family members;
• breathability.

Let’s examine the distinctions between vinyl and non-woven wallpaper in more detail.

Which ones last longer

The service life of trellises is one of the most crucial factors in the selection process. Using this indicator, should I choose vinyl or non-woven wallpaper? The presence of pets (dogs, cats) and young children affects the trellises’ functionality in this situation. This won’t be a problem for vinyl since it will last for at least ten years. Non-woven ones will need to be reglued right away because damage from kid tricks and animal claws cannot be repaired.

The service life of non-woven trellises is roughly the same as that of vinyl ones, provided that no one lives in the apartment that could damage the trellises’ tops. Manufacturers estimate a service life of 10 to 12 years in both situations. In addition, painting wallpaper is resistant to six dye layers and can endure up to three decades.

According to statistics, after 7–8 years of use, apartment owners typically change the wallpaper because it starts to have a negative psychological impact. As a result, the issue of service life is unimportant.

Which ones don"t burn out?

A few years ago, non-woven wallpaper faded in the sun, making paint resistance to UV rays a pertinent issue. The solution to this issue is that both kinds of trellises are painted with a fade-resistant coating that keeps the color scheme vibrant under all operating circumstances.

Which ones are heavier?

The weight of the trellises is one of the primary factors influencing the choice of wallpaper; heavy wallpaper cannot be hung on the ceiling and needs special glue. Furthermore, heavy wallpaper is challenging to glue by yourself.

Regarding non-woven and vinyl wallpaper, there has been some misunderstanding: while some think vinyl is lighter than non-woven, others disagree, believing non-woven to be heavier. It is really challenging to describe the current state of affairs. Non-woven fabric is basically a lightweight non-woven fabric, after all. Vinyl trellises have two layers, and when laying, three layers, so theoretically they cannot be lighter. The backing is frequently made of the same non-woven fabric at the same time.

We believe the misclassification of trellises is the cause of the problem; according to some experts, vinyl wallpaper with a non-woven backing is considered non-woven wallpaper.

Which ones are cheaper?

The cost is a significant distinction between vinyl and non-woven wallpaper. There’s no choice when it comes to budget repairs because non-woven trellises are typically 20–25% more expensive. Therefore, a 1 m wide tube of non-woven fabric of average quality costs more than 655 rubles, while high-quality tubes with an acrylic coating cost more than 1,200 rubles.

Vinyl wallpaper made of paper is available for 180 rubles per tube. The priciest: multicolored, embossed; no more than 600 rubles. The price of a tube of non-woven backing vinyl starts at 600 rubles. Both types of premium wallpapers are priced similarly high.

Which is easier to wash?

No apartment exists that is dust-free. Simply put, some have less of it, while others have more. As a result, the issue of maintaining walls—namely, clearing dust and cobwebs—occurs occasionally. In addition, unavoidable events like children’s drawings or splatters of fat, wine, etc. on the walls occasionally occur.

Vinyl wallpaper is simple to clean with brushes and detergents in addition to a moist cloth. As a result, after drying, all traces of dirt—including grease stains and kid-made art—are removed without harming the wall.

A little trickier with trellises that aren’t woven. Areas contaminated cannot be cleaned up. Additionally, dust and cobwebs can be eliminated using a vacuum or a damp cloth that has been well-twisted rather than wiped. It’s true that the recommendations are contradictory; for example, a lot of experts strongly advise against touching non-woven fabric with wet objects because of its high hygroscopicity. This assertion is actively refuted by practice, as most housewives can remove dust without causing damage to the wallpaper by using rags or wet wipes.

Which ones are thicker (stronger)

Thickness equates to durability; this rule does not apply to vinyl or non-woven trellises. Stronger tensile strength, or the capacity to tolerate surface mechanical damage, is another catch.

Paper-based vinyl wallpaper is thicker than non-woven wallpaper, but it tears more readily. On the other hand, non-woven wallpaper is stronger.

When discussing mechanical damage to the surface (wear resistance), the material of the top layer—non-woven fabric is easily harmed by pets and small children—determines the strength of the wallpaper sheet and its thickness. Vinyl trellises don’t wear out and can tolerate being repeatedly touched by clothing or furniture.

Which is easier to glue?

The buyer gives the wallpaper’s manufacturing potential little consideration when selecting trellises. And yet, which is simpler to glue: non-woven fabric or vinyl? The solution is obvious: wallpaper that isn’t woven. The wallpaper sheet does not get wet or stretch after the adhesive mass is first applied to the wall surface, making it simple to attach to the preceding sheet. Second, the first one implies that you can glue by yourself. Thirdly, fewer joints translate into wider sheets, which facilitates easier fitting.

Vinyl trellises are heavy in the first place, and the glue only makes them heavier, which makes the process of gluing much more difficult. You must therefore adhere them together.

Which is more environmentally friendly?

PVC is plastic, whereas non-woven fabric is made entirely of natural fibers and additives. Thus, there’s no need to even try to figure out that PVC wallpaper is inherently harmful to health, and as a result, it is not advised to use it in children’s rooms or bedrooms.

Family members’ health is not endangered by either type of wallpaper in areas where people are not spending a lot of time. This includes the kitchen, bathroom, and living room.

Which ones have better design?

When assessing wallpaper from an aesthetic perspective, it’s important to highlight vinyl’s significant advantages over non-woven wallpaper in terms of color and texture (relief patterns), particularly given that both types of wallpaper were initially created for painting.

Which ones are breathable?

Natural nonwoven fabric is a type of nonwoven fabric. The walls allow it to "breathe" because it is permeable to both vapor and air. Vinyl is impervious to steam, water, and air. As a result of morning temperature variations outside, condensation forms on the external walls, causing mold to grow beneath the PVC wallpaper. By applying wallpaper glue that has such additives or treating the walls with specific preparations against mold and fungus, you can avoid problems.

How to visually and tactfully distinguish one from the other

In a mall, how can one tell the difference between vinyl and non-woven wallpaper if there’s no price tag close by? It’s easy to identify the type of trellis by touch as well as sight. There are multiple methods to examine the wallpaper’s appearance solely with your eyes:

• look at the end of the tube – vinyl trellises are multi-layered, 2-3 layers of loose, thick material, non-woven fabric has one thin layer;
• tear off a small corner of the tube; in non-woven wallpaper the tear area is fibrous, in vinyl it is slightly jagged, without lint;
• study the back side of the wallpaper – non-woven fabric is always smooth, even if there is embossing on the front side, while vinyl with any backing repeats the embossing pattern (due to the method of applying the relief).

How can I tell which wallpaper is which by touch? Despite having embossing, the front side’s velvety, non-woven vinyl feels cold and smooth to the touch.

What is better and in what case to choose

A definitive response about which is superior would be the pinnacle of conceit and ineptitude—every particular circumstance calls for a different approach. Let’s just attempt to provide some suggestions for different rooms, which we will arrange in a table.

A table that corresponds the wallpaper in each room of an apartment or house.

Room view	Wallpaper
vinyl	non-woven
corridor	fit perfectly	undesirable
kitchen	fit perfectly	categorically no
bathroom	can be glued	categorically no
bedroom	undesirable	fit perfectly
living room	fit perfectly	fit perfectly
children"s room	categorically no	can be glued

Aspect	Vinyl Wallpaper	Non-woven Wallpaper
Material	Made from PVC and paper or fabric backing	Made from a blend of natural and synthetic fibers
Durability	Highly durable, water-resistant, and washable	Less durable than vinyl, but still strong and washable
Application	Requires paste applied to wallpaper	Paste applied directly to the wall, easier to install
Breathability	Less breathable, can trap moisture	More breathable, reducing mold risk
Appearance	Offers a wide range of textures and patterns	Typically smoother, with fewer texture options
Removal	Can be difficult to remove, may damage walls	Easy to remove without damaging walls
Best For	High-traffic areas and bathrooms	Living rooms, bedrooms, and dry areas
Which is Better?	Better for durability and moisture resistance	Better for ease of installation and removal

The decision you make between vinyl and non-woven wallpaper is based on your personal preferences and needs. Because vinyl wallpaper is well-known for being strong and moisture-resistant, it’s a great option for high-traffic areas and humid rooms like bathrooms and kitchens. For families with kids or pets, this is a big plus because it’s durable and easy to clean.

Conversely, non-woven wallpaper is preferred due to its simplicity of application and removal. Non-woven wallpaper is breathable due to its blend of natural and synthetic fibers, which lowers the possibility of mold and mildew formation. In addition, it can be a more comfortable choice for bedrooms and living rooms that want a softer, more natural finish. It is also environmentally friendly.

Ultimately, the particular needs of your room will determine which wallpaper is better. Vinyl wallpaper might be your best bet if you need something durable and low maintenance. However, non-woven wallpaper can be the better option if you’d rather have an easier time installing it and make a more environmentally friendly decision. Every option has its own advantages, so weigh each one’s features to determine which is best for your house.

Both vinyl and non-woven wallpaper have distinctive qualities that allow them to be used for various purposes. PVC-based vinyl wallpaper is long-lasting, cleanable, and ideal for high-moisture spaces like bathrooms and kitchens. In contrast, non-woven wallpaper is easy to apply and remove without causing damage to walls because it is composed of either natural or synthetic fibers. It is also breathable. Which one you choose will depend on how you want them to be maintained and installed, as well as where you intend to use them.

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