Need to wallpaper a room but don't know where to start? This handy guide explains the main options for wallcovering.
Lining Paper - provides a sound, uniform surface before laying better quality or heavy-duty embossed paper.
It is very useful for improving the appearance of uneven walls.
Machine-Printed Paper - the most commonly used wallpaper.
You can buy 'pulps' which are cheap papers where the ink sits on the surface.
Alternatively, 'grounds' use a different method: the ink sits on a prepared surface which is coated with a 'ground' of color.
Hand-Printed Wallpaper - involves higher labor costs, which are reflected in the price.
The design is block-printed by hand or screen printed through a frame.
Woodchip Paper - has a rough textured feel which works very well on inferior surfaces, because it disguises any imperfections well.
Some say it's old fashioned as it was very popular in the past.
Who know when it might spearhead a revival? Embossed paper - this has a relief pattern pressed into it when damp.
The embossing roller creates a pattern through pressure.
Color can be added at this stage, or later on.
Washable Paper - machine printed designs with a film of protective, transparent plastic on top, this wallcovering is often found ready-pasted.
Vinyl Paper - consists of simple designs printed onto plastic or vinyl film with special inks, bonded onto a backing paper.
This is more durable - and more expensive - than washable paper.
Vinyl paper can sometimes be hard to remove.
Flock Paper - less expensive than it used to be, flock wallpaper is now cheaper because its production has been merchandised.
The elaborate design has a velvety, raised pile on backing paper.