Wood wallpaper is a good alternative to mosaic finishes, textured plaster, metallized and glass panels. These materials represent an upgrade of the classic lining. The technology is improved, more complicated in execution, the finished finish looks spectacular. In all types of residential premises, such wallpapers create an atmosphere of peace and comfort. They were highly praised by supporters of environmentally friendly materials for decoration.
Kinds
Wooden wallpapers are represented by several categories of designs. They differ in processing technology, types of raw materials used, wear resistance and operating characteristics.
Veneer Wallpaper
This species is widespread, relatively inexpensive, in comparison with other analogues. It is easy to install, used in interior design for more than 20 years. The basis of the finishing material is thick paper, on which a layer of veneer is glued. The thickness of its fibers is not more than 3 mm. Cloths with a width of 35, 50, 100 cm are rolled up into rolls of 5 or 10 m. Their surface can be smooth or slightly embossed, with the structure of wood preserved with a natural pattern. Depending on the species - birch, pine, oak, walnut, beech - cream, beige, light brown, chocolate shades are produced. Available in different colors, with inlaid, embossed or artistic painting.
The veneered material allows steam to pass through well, maintains a healthy indoor climate, and does not create conditions for the development of mold. Flexibility and density make it possible to correct minor flaws: chipped areas, a slight curvature of the surfaces to be trimmed.
Like ordinary non-woven or vinyl wallpapers, the canvas is greased with glue, tightly, end-to-end, pressed against walls previously treated with putty and primer mixes.
The disadvantages include high fire hazard, low moisture resistance. They are not recommended for use near open flames or for pasting bathrooms. Classic veneered wallpapers are capricious, short-lived, easily amenable to mechanical damage, can warp with temperature changes. The peculiarity of their structure leaves little room for restoration. For additional protection, the surface is sometimes covered with transparent or colored varnishes, laminated.
A type of wallpaper from veneer is considered a thermally modified tree (TMD). Before use, such a material undergoes complex technological processing: it is pressed, subjected to pressure at high temperature. The tree loses most of its moisture, becomes very dense, refractory, resistant to mechanical stress, less prone to swelling.
TMD canvases may contain not one, but several tree species with different cost and properties. The structure can be natural or imitate marble.
Mounting such wallpaper is easy, and you can use it in any room: with high humidity, near stoves, stoves or fireplaces. You can remove contamination from them with plain water.
Cork Wallpaper
Natural cork material is rare, as it is very expensive. The main raw material used is the processed inner layer of oak bark.
Cork wallpaper has several varieties:
- Panel. The most expensive finishing material in the form of durable two-layer plates measuring 30 × 60 cm, a thickness of about 3 mm. The inner layer by which tiles are attached to the walls is veneered. On top is a pressed cork. The composition is impregnated with special wax-based compounds that protect the hygroscopic porous structure from absorption of odors, accumulation of contaminants, and swelling. These wallpapers can be used in bathrooms or kitchens instead of tiles.
- Roll wallpaper on a veneered basis. Tiled cork is reminded in structure, but thinner - about 2 mm, do not contain additional impregnations. The material is available in the form of strips 50 cm wide, 10 m long.
- Paper based rolls. The most economical kind. The cork layer is applied to the paper web. Length and width standard: 50 cm × 10 m.
The cork has the best soundproofing properties compared to similar materials. It is practical, due to its elastic structure withstands minor mechanical damage, goes well with other types of decorative finishes. Stains, stains can be removed with a damp cloth or abrasive paper.
Installation tips
The technique of pasting walls with wooden wallpaper differs little from work with similar finishing materials from other raw materials.
Before finishing, it is recommended to unroll the rolls, leave them for 2-3 days in the room so that they are used to its microclimate.
For work, plumb lines and brushes will be required. If you plan to finish the roll materials, you need a rubber roller to smooth the paintings. Before starting work, walls must be leveled, cracked and chipped, repaired, primed.
Cork panels can be mounted on liquid nails, other special compositions for plates. For rolled wood materials, the same adhesive that is used for vinyl wallpaper is well suited.
Stripes are measured, cut in advance, adding 2-3 cm in height. First, a piece of wall is covered with glue, then an even thin layer is applied to the inside of the wallpaper. Some types of cork are produced with an already applied adhesive layer. This greatly simplifies installation: you need to remove the protective film from the back and attach the segment to the wall. A convenient innovation for fastening is metal kleimers. These are thin clips used instead of glue if the walls are uneven. Wallpaper is fixed dry and very fast.
During the gluing of veneered wallpaper with a pattern, they are carefully monitored so that all its elements coincide. Particular attention is given to edge processing: with insufficient impregnation, they can peel off.
Paneling usually begins with the central areas of the rooms. Roll cuts are measured from the corner. Due to the high density, wooden wallpapers are fairly easy to glue: they rarely form wrinkles and bubbles, immediately adhering to the wall, they are easily smoothed.
Benefits
Wood decoration is popular. "Living" natural material inspires the creation of all its new species. The main advantages of veneered and cork wallpapers:
- universality, aesthetics;
- helps to create various interiors: from minimalist to the most sophisticated;
- a wide selection of colors and textures: you can choose with a natural pattern, stylized as mosaics, stone, leather, frescoes;
- good heat-insulating qualities: wooden wallpapers do not interfere with air exchange, keep cool for a long time in hot weather, keep heat in the cold;
- good sound insulation: professional music studios and cinemas sheathe cork panels, protect the apartment from annoying noise from neighboring rooms;
- environmental friendliness: it is easy to breathe in rooms decorated with wood, unpleasant odors do not linger in them, people are less likely to suffer from allergies.
With proper operation, wallpaper made of wood can last up to 20 years.
Disadvantages
In addition to the fragility and swelling that classic veneered wallpapers are subject to, the decoration of this type has several other significant drawbacks:
- installation complexity: it is unlikely to succeed in pasting the walls with them alone; it’s more productive to invite the masters;
- low biostability: bugs attracted by the smell of wood can settle in the pores of the thickness of the wallpaper; species untreated with special impregnations are susceptible to fungal infections;
- high cost: the price of wallpaper from veneer starts from 2000 rubles per roll, materials from oak cork can cost 5000–11000 rubles per pack.
The durability of most wood-based finishing materials is considered both an advantage and a disadvantage.. An annoyance for interior owners is the need for early dismantling, for example, during major repairs or a decision to change the style of the room. Reuse of captured wallpapers is no longer possible. Before buying an expensive finish, it is better to carefully weigh all the possible risks and possible changes.