Vinyl wallcoverings have recently become very popular in residential and commercial environments. Originally used because of their durability, vinyl wallcoverings are now available in a wide variety of finishes, colours and textures. In this blog, we will show you how you can use vinyl wallcoverings to transform your interior designs.
The benefits of vinyl
While wallpaper is a versatile decorating tool, it can’t always provide the level of protection needed for every environment – this is where vinyl has an advantage. Vinyl wallcovering is composed of a paper or fabric layer onto which a printed vinyl film is pasted, making it resistant to water, longer-lasting than traditional wallpaper and easier to clean.
Some people have concerns about whether vinyl is harmful to the environment. In recent years, however, there have been significant developments in how vinyl is produced. Vinyl production now requires less energy compared to other similar products and manufacturers actively support its recycling. Furthermore, almost all of the vinyl made ends up in a product, meaning there is very little waste.
Using vinyl wallcoverings in a contract installation
When designing for a contract installation, you must ensure the product meets or surpasses the minimum physical and performance characteristics outlined in local regulations. These regulations cover areas such as fire rating, impact resistance and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. Understanding these regulations will help you to create a specification that is safe and well suited for its purpose. Be sure to work with a supplier that you trust and ask for their expert advice if you have any questions. They will also be able to supply you with documentation to certify that the product meets the necessary regulations.
If you are working on a large contract project, it is important to find products that help to meet the requirements of the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). BREEAM is the world’s leading sustainability assessment method for planning projects, infrastructure and buildings, while LEED is one of the most popular green building certification programmes worldwide. Both of these standards measure the sustainability and environmental impact of a development.
Domestic installations of vinyl wallcoverings
Vinyl wallcoverings are usually slightly thinner in a domestic installation than in a contract installation. While this means a reduction in durability and longevity, they are still more than adequate for a home environment.
Keep the following points in mind when selecting a wallcovering for your designs:
· Consider using vinyl wallcoverings in areas where there is a lot traffic and only use paper or natural wallcoverings where traffic is minimal
· Use contract wallcoverings in residential settings if you prefer to have a more avant-garde style
· Vinyl wallcoverings can now simulate the same look as other wallcoverings, widening their visual appeal (e.g. fabric-backed vinyl, paper-backed vinyl and digitally-printed vinyl)
As with all specifications, working with your supplier and understanding your client’s requirements will help you to ensure that your installation is safe, appropriate and successful. Vinyl wallcoverings are a fantastic way to bring style and durability to your interior designs and can open up many new design possibilities.
If you have used vinyl wallcoverings in any of your designs, we’d love to hear about it.