Common Reasons Behind Wallpaper Expensiveness

Just like any décor element or design aspect, wallpaper can be a matter of taste. Some people associate wallpaper with coziness and are sure that it creates a certain warm vibration that makes a house feel homey. On the other hand, there are those who regard wallpaper as a vestige of the past and steer clear of it.

Those homeowners who not simply strive to create an aesthetically pleasing living environment but want to make a statement with their home normally are just bound to choose wallpaper. There is one small detail that might be frustrating for all fans of wallpaper – the price. Truth be told, it’s just impossible to score quality and elegant wallpaper without forking out on it. Still, it doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to afford to spruce your lounge space or bedroom with some cool wallpaper if you’re on a modest budget. See what determines the end cost of wallpapers and learn where you can save a bit on this time-tested type of wallcovering.

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Quality wallpaper requires high quality and safe materials to be printed. Manufacturers often import quite expensive ink and high-end wallpaper printing machines to create the best patterns on your wallpaper. For example, gravure-printed wallpaper is printed using a sophisticated technology that allows creating immaculate designs and exquisite shades by masterfully manipulating laser rollers. There are also simpler options, of course. So, if you’re looking for cheaper wallpaper, you can choose those printed using the surface- or digitally-printed method.

If you’re not new to home renovation, you might know that some wallpapers are still hand-printed. It’s a labor-intensive process, which requires manually laying out the paper, controlling the flow of ink on a paper surface, and printing the selected pattern by hand. Hence, the high cost. But DIY projects allow reducing it by crafting your own wallpaper. You can create unique patterns or funky images on your wallcovering and instantly spruce up the boring look of your space. All you need is a printer and dedicated apps that will help you visualize your future design.

Those who choose wall paint over wallpaper in the hope that it will last longer are deeply mistaken. If you select quality wallpaper, install it properly, and follow the maintenance rules, the odds are good they will please your eyes for a decade or even longer. No paint can offer you the same luxury, of course, and it will need retouching after 5-7 years. Unlike their paint counterpart, wallpaper won’t start peeling, cracking, or flaking off if accidentally damaged. Wallpaper is also a much more suitable option for messy and high traffic environments. All wallpaper can withstand more adversities. And durability equals a higher price tag, as you know.

Despite its name, wallpaper isn’t made exclusively of paper. Today’s market is overflowing with different materials that can make your wallpaper look like a piece of artwork. Among the most popular and easy to find are vinyl wallpaper. The reason why the majority of homeowners opt for his material is its durability. It’s easy to install and maintain but also quite expensive.

Quality metallic wallpaper is a no less expensive option. This type of wallpaper is used for creating a glowing atmosphere in your home and brightening up your space with original accent walls.

Grasscloth wallpaper is a win-win solution for those who want to bring a sophisticated and neatly textured finish to their walls. Grasscloth is quite an expensive material that’s crafted from natural sisal grass. Its hand-woven fibers help designers add a layer of elegance to any room and create cozy textured schemes without overwhelming a space. Grasscloth wallpapers are eco-friendly, elegant, and often paintable. These merits also add to the cost.

Other popular wallpaper materials are fabric and flock, which is meant to imitate expensive velvet wallcoverings. There is even wood wallpaper made of wood veneer. Though less expensive than normal wood finishes, it also comes with a hefty price tag.

It’s very unlikely that you will be able to recall at least a single designer brand producing wall paint. But when it comes to creating wallpaper, famous designers don’t want to stand aside. We see lots of luxury brands including Ralph Lauren, Gracie, De Gournay, Schumacher, to name but a few that craft exquisite and  highly unique wallpaper that decorate the walls of the wealthiest people in the world.

Indeed, branded wallpaper may boast a unique design and be made from devastatingly expensive material, but oftentimes, the only reason behind its expensiveness is high-end designer name.

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It’s also not a secret that more features make wallpaper more costly. Self-adhesive, repositionable, and removable wallpaper takes the hassle out of the installation process and makes the entire renovation process a breeze.  You can also opt for washable, traffic- and moisture-resistant, or totally hypoallergenic wallpaper or mural to transform your space and make it more comfortable, elegant, and safer.

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Now you see that there are tons of factors that influence the cost of wallpaper these days. Manufacturing costs, durability, type of material, brand, as well as the feature richness can make wallpaper costs not just high but exorbitant. Still if you apply your wisdom and put more time and effort into your wallpaper selection process, chances are you’ll find the best type of wallcovering that will make your home an ideal place to live.

Published in: Ideas | Author: Lynn