What is liquid wallpaper and how to apply it correctly?
What could be easier than wallpapering the walls? Nothing complicated, but if we are talking about liquid wallpaper - a modern finishing material that only vaguely resembles the usual wallpaper produced in traditional rolls. Liquid wallpaper appeared on the construction market relatively recently, but, despite the rather "young" age, they have already been recognized by designers as one of the most spectacular and original ways of interior decoration.
the liquid wallpaperFeatures and Benefits
Liquid wallpaper is a mixture of cellulose, cotton, silk particles, an adhesive binder, as well as various fillers: glitter, silk threads, pieces of mica, etc. It is rather difficult to call such a multi-component wall covering, wallpaper, since it is produced in dry form, in bags, and not in ordinary paper rolls.
Experts distinguish between several types of liquid wallpaper, which differ from each other in the structure of the fibers and the thickness of the applied layer. The minimum layer thickness is - 2 - 3 mm, the maximum - 4 - 5 mm (in this case, the material looks very "voluminous", and to the touch it resembles a dense fabric).
Why has liquid wallpaper become so popular both among professional designers and among ordinary consumers who want to give the interior a presentable and unusual look? It's all about the numerous advantages of this finishing material.
Ease of use
Absolute environmental friendliness
The ability to hide uneven surfaces
Noise and thermal insulation
Fire safety
Antistatic
Decorating with liquid wallpaper can be a real salvation in a number of cases. For example, if there is absolutely no time for repairs, and while the work is being done, you will have to live in the same room. Or repairs are being carried out in a newly built house, which takes a certain period of time to shrink; or when the walls of the dwelling do not differ in perfect evenness. In addition, liquid wallpaper is an ideal finishing option if a family member suffers from allergies: the material is based on only natural, environmentally friendly components.
A few disadvantages can be attributed only to the fact that this type of finishing materials cannot be used in rooms with a high level of humidity: bathrooms, baths, swimming pools, saunas.
Recommendations for application and use
The process of applying liquid wallpaper cannot be called too complicated, but it requires compliance with certain requirements. So, for work it is necessary to use only clean containers and tools (roller or spatula). The room temperature should be at the optimum level - not lower than + 10 ° С. The base intended for processing with liquid wallpaper must first be prepared: cleaned of dust, dirt, remnants of old coatings. It is imperative to treat the surface with a primer and wait until it dries completely.
The dry mixture, similar to fine white sawdust, is poured into a container with clean tap water (the exact proportions are always indicated on the package). Mixing thoroughly, you need to bring the solution to a homogeneous state without lumps, and then leave the prepared mixture for a few minutes, so that all components are fully "ripe".
The finished material is applied to the wall using a roller or trowel. The mixture is carefully leveled and left to dry completely. If necessary, liquid wallpaper can be applied in several layers - to completely level the wall or to create a more saturated color and spectacular texture.
Convenience in using liquid wallpaper also lies in the fact that if some area with the applied mixture was accidentally damaged, it can be easily corrected: just wet it with water, carefully remove it with a sharp tool and immediately apply a new layer of material. The difference between the corrected area and the rest of the surface will be completely invisible.
Liquid wallpaper takes 12 to 72 hours to dry completely. If you want to speed up the process, you can periodically ventilate the room (liquid wallpaper, unlike their paper counterparts, is not afraid of drafts).
Effectively, conveniently, affordable!
You don't have to be a professional to apply liquid wallpaper - even a novice designer can handle the task. An apartment, a private house, a modern office - this material will be an excellent solution for decorating any interior.