The installation area, not the wall surface, is the most important factor when determining which type of vinyl wallpaper to use in your home. Vinyl-coated wallpaper has an acrylic surface over a paper substrate. It is one of the most common and affordable varieties of vinyl wallpaper. It can be stripped and provides a finish that can be scrubbed better than plain paper, making it suitable for kitchens and bathrooms. Coated fabric wallpapers contain a vinyl layer over breathable fabrics, making them more suitable for areas with low levels of moisture, such as living rooms and bedrooms. Solid vinyl wallpaper provides the most durable finish for areas that receive high traffic and constant cleaning.
Regardless of the kind of vinyl wallpaper you choose, painted walls require adequate preparation to ensure optimal adhesion for the wallpaper. The most receptive surface for wallpaper is bare drywall or gypsum board. Painted walls, especially those with a high level of sheen, tend to resist wallpaper, making it necessary to remove the outer layer of gloss.
Textured walls require extensive sanding to provide flat, smooth surfaces for wallpaper. Flat walls need just the surface sheen removed. All walls require a coat of primer or sealer after sanding to create a tight bond. After the primer dries, a wallpaper sizing coat creates a tacky finish that helps the vinyl wallpaper adhere to the wall surface.
The proper method of installation depends on the variety of vinyl wallpaper. Some vinyl wallpaper has a backing sheet that you peel away to reveal an adhesive coating, but most contain a dried paste that requires the application of water to activate the adhesive qualities. Some vinyl wallpaper requires painting a prepared paste on the back of the paper or the wall, although that kind of vinyl wallpaper is not as common as the pre-pasted variety. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when applying the wallpaper to walls.