What is better and cheaper: wallpaper for painting or decorative plaster

The decision between decorative plaster and paintable wallpaper for updating your home’s walls can be difficult. Both choices have particular benefits and have the power to completely change the feel and appearance of any space. Making an educated choice that fits your needs both financially and stylistically can be facilitated by being aware of the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Paintable wallpaper is user-friendly and versatile. It is available in an assortment of patterns and textures that you can personalize with any paint color. It’s a great option for people who like to regularly switch up their interior decor because of this. Paintable wallpaper is also a flexible option for homeowners because it can conceal small wall imperfections and is quite simple to apply and take off.

Conversely, decorative plaster offers a more elegant and long-lasting finish. It can produce a broad spectrum of effects and textures, from sleek and smooth to rugged and rustic. Decorative plaster can give your walls a distinctive, handmade touch and is also incredibly durable. But applying it correctly takes more skill, and the cost of materials and labor can be higher than painting wallpaper.

Cost must be taken into account carefully when deciding between these two options. While painting wallpaper is typically less expensive and simpler to install, decorative plaster provides a high-quality, long-lasting finish that can raise the value of your house. You can choose the best option for your needs by balancing the short-term costs and long-term benefits.

The choice between decorative plaster and painting wallpaper ultimately boils down to your own tastes, financial constraints, and the particular needs of your room. You can create the ideal blend of design and functionality for your house by weighing the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Aspect	Wallpaper for Painting	Decorative Plaster
Cost	Generally cheaper	More expensive
Application	Easy to apply	Requires skill
Durability	Less durable	More durable
Variety	Limited designs	Various textures
Maintenance	Easy to maintain	Requires more effort

Pros and cons of materials

Wall panel finishing is done using a plaster mixture or wallpaper, depending on the design project. Depending on their composition, application method, construction work environment, surface processing requirements, etc., materials have benefits and drawbacks.

Wallpaper

This kind of material is widely used to decorate walls.

• wide choice of colors, patterns, ornaments, texture solutions;
• no need for careful alignment of the wall panel;
• high heat and noise insulation;
• simple gluing;
• environmental friendliness of the compositions (except vinyl);
• aesthetics;
• wide range of materials by quality, price.

• short-lived, average shelf life is up to 8 years;
• low mechanical strength;
• difficulty in maintenance;
• if poorly fixed, wallpaper sheets may peel off;
• need to join patterns when cutting sheets.

• environmentally friendly composition;
• budget cost;
• well mask the unevenness of the base;
• air-permeable sheets.

Paper wallpaper sheets, on the other hand, should not be used in highly humid rooms due to their short lifespan (up to five years) and low mechanical strength.

• high elasticity;
• highly hide microcracks, unevenness on the surface;
• have high sound insulation;
• easy to clean.

Among the drawbacks are the need to stain sheets and the chemicals in detergents.

Vinyl wallpaper is long-lasting, proficient in concealing surface imperfections, and immune to extreme humidity and UV radiation. The shelf life of paintable wallpaper is more than 20 years. Repainting such sheets is possible. The sheets are more expensive than alternatives for paper, and they release hazardous materials at high air temperatures (starting at +30°C).

Glass wallpaper is strong, long-lasting, and simple to clean using a brush and abrasive detergents. Level the walls with putty underneath the wallpaper before gluing. The sheets can be adhered to walls in kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, and children’s rooms. The materials are safe for the environment, resistant to fire, and mechanical damage.

• a small selection of design solutions;
• sheets are made only for painting;
• sheets are difficult to remove from the wall.

The application method and texture of liquid wallpaper are comparable to those of plaster mixtures. Using a liquid wallpaper mixture has the benefit of not requiring wall leveling. Because of its pasty nature, the coating lets you fix minor surface imperfections. The material’s soundproofing qualities are excellent.

It is advised to decorate both vertical and horizontal sections with liquid wallpaper. The coating has a long shelf life and is resistant to mechanical damage. Because of the hypoallergenic composition, dust doesn’t gather on the surface. The material’s insensitivity to temperature fluctuations and high humidity is a drawback. The mixture is limited to use in dry air rooms and interior decoration.

Textile wallpaper has unique textures, images, and aesthetic appeal. The material comes in a variety of colors, patterns, and ornaments and is highly soundproof. It is also environmentally friendly. The expensive price, surface dust buildup, and UV radiation instability are the drawbacks.

Decorative plaster

Ornamental plaster is one way to decorate walls. The material is used for both internal and external work, depending on its composition. Finishing mixtures let you replicate mother-of-pearl coatings, stone, and wood textures with a smooth, silky surface. Original plasters are meant for world map reproductions and mosaic décor.

Certain compositions help to create artificial surface aging. These compositions can be clay, silicone, polymer, acrylic, silicate, etc. depending on the type of base.

• high plasticity;
• reproduction of different textures, textures for wood, stone, concrete are in demand;
• wide palette of shades of the building mixture;
• durability of the coating (service life from 20 years);
• you can plaster different types of rooms (bedrooms, corridors, living rooms);
• a wide selection of finishes with different technical characteristics;
• the material is environmentally friendly, safe to use and suitable for bedrooms and children"s rooms;
• the composition has good resistance to ultraviolet radiation, temperature changes, mechanical damage and does not fade;
• the moisture resistance of the coating allows using the technology in bathrooms and toilets;
• the coating is smooth and seamless;
• the material does not absorb odors.

• high cost;
• surface preparation is complex and time-consuming for the plastering master;
• long drying of the treated surfaces.
• the techniques of applying the finishing ("bark beetle", "lamb", "mosaic") require step-by-step processing.

When deciding between wallpaper for painting and decorative plaster, it"s essential to weigh the benefits and costs of each. Wallpaper for painting is typically cheaper and easier to apply, offering a variety of patterns and colors that can be updated with a fresh coat of paint. Decorative plaster, on the other hand, provides a more durable and textured finish that adds a unique and sophisticated look to any space. While plaster can be more expensive and requires skilled application, its long-lasting nature might justify the initial investment. Ultimately, the choice depends on your budget, desired aesthetic, and willingness to invest in professional installation.

Comparison of characteristics

The following technical features can help you decide whether decorative plaster or wallpaper is better for finishing:

• vapor permeability;
• cost of raw materials and work;
• resistance to mechanical damage;
• level of environmental friendliness of the composition;
• moisture resistance;
• resistance to cleaning;
• complexity of installation, etc.d.

Vapor permeability

The vapor permeability indicator is considered when selecting interior décor. In order to keep the apartment’s microclimate stable, the plaster or wallpaper needs to be breathable. The room might get wet if the finish has a low vapor permeability. There are vapor-permeable varieties of plaster mixtures and wallpaper sheets.

Both non-woven wallpaper and paper allow for airflow. Cement-sand and gypsum mixtures are the plaster compositions with the highest vapor permeability. Vinyl wallpaper, latex, and polymer plaster mixtures all have a low indicator.

Cost factor (which is cheaper for an apartment)

The price of wallpaper or plaster mixture and the markup for finishing work are factored in when determining the cost of various finishing types. Wallpaper is an affordable material; 60 rubles per square meter can be spent on cheap canvases. More expensive compositions start at 200 rubles per square meter for plaster.

Materials for mid-range products range in price similarly. 1–2.5 thousand rubles are needed for a 1 m² 3D canvas, and 1.2–2.1 rubles are needed for decorative plaster. Plastering has a markup of 300 rubles per square meter, while wallpaper starts at 80 rubles.

The fact that canvases are less expensive and simpler to design is considered when deciding between plaster and wallpaper.

Wall resistance to external influences

The indicator shows how resistant treated walls are to things like UV rays and mechanical harm. Plaster solutions with UV resistance have an advantage in terms of qualities; they are stronger, more resilient, and maintain their integrity under mechanical stress. Adhesive wallpaper is not advised in areas with heavy traffic, loads on the panels, etc. The material is delicate and prone to damage.

Durability

Wallpaper has a 6–15 year lifespan, depending on its composition (paper, non-woven fabric). The lifespan of decorative plaster is 30 to 50 years. Silicone compounds have a 60-year shelf life. Plaster mortar is recommended for extended periods of operation. Water-resistant plasters of superior quality have a longer lifespan.

Complexity of installation technology

Wallpaper materials have an advantage in terms of installation complexity because they can be quickly and simply adhered to the walls using an adhesive base. It takes expertise to complete the plaster application process using the "bark beetle," "wet silk," and "Venetian" techniques to mimic artificial aging. The solution is applied gradually to multilayer coatings, which call for the application of sophisticated technical techniques and adherence to a specific temperature regime.

Environmental friendliness

Environmentally friendly materials are crucial for interior design. This indicator compares plaster and wallpaper sheets as equal. Safe artificial additives are combined with natural ingredients to create the products. In the event of a fire, only vinyl wallpaper is capable of releasing harmful compounds when heated.

Examining the manufacturer’s stated composition on the packaging is advised when selecting a finish. Component combinations and ratios may vary based on the kind of product.

Moisture resistance

The choice of finish is influenced by the degree of moisture resistance of the materials. Manufacturers create plaster and wallpaper compositions that can withstand high relative humidity. Low moisture resistance materials (paper wallpaper, gypsum plaster) are part of the product line. To achieve a long-lasting finish, experts advise examining the composition and features on the packaging before making a purchase.

What is easier to clean

The guidelines for cleaning coatings are considered when choosing materials. Household chemicals and a moist cloth can be used to clean decorative plaster, and the surface can be painted again. It is important to remember, though, that dust is more difficult to remove from textured plaster bases used in "lamb," "bark beetle," and artificial aging techniques.

Wallpaper and waterproof sheets are easily cleaned of dust and debris, respectively. Not all wallpapers, though, can be cleaned; some paper sheets cannot be brushed or wet cleaned.

Several factors, such as cost, ease of application, and desired aesthetic, are taken into consideration when choosing between decorative plaster and wallpaper for painting. Painting wallpaper is a practical option for those on a budget or searching for a do-it-yourself project because it is frequently less expensive and easier to apply. Those who like to regularly update their decor may find it appealing as it makes color changes and repairs simple.

Conversely, decorative plaster provides a more distinctive and upscale appearance. It creates a more opulent and personalized finish by adding texture and depth that wallpaper just cannot match. It does, however, tend to be more costly and need expert application, which raises the total cost. Additionally, if the plaster is damaged, repairs may be more difficult and expensive.

The decision between decorative plaster and painting wallpaper ultimately comes down to your own requirements and tastes. Wallpaper for painting is a great option if you’re looking for an affordable, adaptable, and easily updateable option. For those who desire a unique and superior finish at a higher cost and are amenable to extra upkeep, decorative plaster may be the ideal choice. When making your choice, take into account your spending limit, the desired appearance, and the usefulness of each option.

Video on the topic

Wallpaper or painting the walls? Or wallpaper for painting? Or decorative plaster?

Wallpaper or painting the walls. What is more practical, simpler, cheaper?

WALLPAPER or PAINT? I tell you what is better for finishing and repair

WALLPAPER, PAINT OR WALLPAPER FOR PAINTING? WHAT TO CHOOSE AND WHAT IS BETTER?

What is Cheaper? Decorative Plaster or Wallpaper?

Wall decoration: wallpaper or paint? / All the pros and cons in 6 minutes