Vinyl is a common polymer material, which in its pure form is colorless granules of various sizes. These granules are subsequently used to produce a single mass for the manufacture of a large number of things - vinyl records, packaging, accessories, toys, utility water pipes, insulation for electrical wires and much more.
In the production of vinyl, chlorine and ethylene are used, which react with each other; in addition, modern manufacturers add various plasticizers and additional components to the material. Thanks to this, the finished structure becomes durable, resistant to high humidity, damage, and solar radiation. During the production process, manufacturers adhere to state and international standards and safety requirements.
Composition and technical characteristics
What, exactly, are wallpapers called vinyl? They consist of two layers, the upper one, or base, is polyvinyl chloride (vinyl) , and the lower one, adhesive to the wall, is paper or non-woven .
The strength and other characteristics of vinyl wallpaper depend on both the base layer and the type of vinyl. Thus, the paper base is less durable and dense than non-woven material . And the appearance of the coating and its thickness, as well as the characteristics of care, are influenced by the type of vinyl, its finishing (embossing, pattern, and so on).
All vinyl wallpapers are famous for their wide variety of options. This gives wide scope in choosing interior design.
Such wallpaper is suitable for almost any premises, residential and non-residential. They are durable.
There is a coating designed for painting, which gives additional opportunities to decorate the room to your taste.
For gluing vinyl wallpaper, special glue , since they are quite heavy. itself is applied only to the wall .
Historical features
The substance was discovered in 1835 by Henri Regnault. Originally it was vinyl chloride. A few years later, the German specialist Eugen Bauman discovered polyvinyl chloride. The substance appeared under the influence of light in a special solution that was accidentally forgotten on the windowsill. A few decades later, specialists developed an industrial technology for the production of PVC; in 1912, a German chemist received a patent for mass production. After this, in the 1930s of the last century, its production began on an industrial scale in Germany.
Polyvinyl chloride found especially widespread use after the Second World War. At the moment, the material is used in almost all spheres of human life - from the manufacture of dishes to the industrial field.
A few words about gluing
Wallpaper strips are glued end to end. It is important to ensure that they do not stretch, otherwise the seams may move when drying.
A room covered with vinyl wallpaper will look rich and have an original, individual design. You can choose the appropriate color option and coating texture. For example, wallpaper can imitate finishing materials such as brick, tile, decorative plaster or wood .
In addition, the noise-absorbing properties of such wallpaper are also high . They are resistant to damage, which cannot be said about paper or textile ones.
Vinyl is a non-flammable substance, so wallpaper made from it will not ignite. And this is an important indicator regarding the fire safety of the premises .
Cons of vinyl laminate
Among the disadvantages, the main disadvantage is the price. She is very tall. Among other weaknesses of the material, it should be noted:
- release of harmful substances during a fire, which requires immediate evacuation of people from the fire site;
- there is a high probability of PVC containing cheap, but very harmful lead and cadmium in most Chinese-made products, which is excluded from manufacturers in other countries - they simply will not pass certification;
- fear of hot objects - the protective film is damaged;
- remaining traces of black rubber (shoes or rugs), which are difficult to remove;
- the need to carefully level the base of the floor (for lamellas with locks, the requirements are the same as for classic laminate).
Types of vinyl wallpaper
The top vinyl layer can be of several types. The air permeability of the wallpaper, its thickness, as well as external characteristics depend on the characteristics of the type. There are four main types of vinyl covering:
- foamed vinyl;
- smooth or dense;
- solid;
- silkscreen printing.
The most common is foamed vinyl . Such wallpapers have a pronounced, obvious and clear relief. The porous structure makes the coating breathable . These wallpapers are light and easy to work with.
Foamed Vinyl
Foamed vinyl wallpaper can be painted and wiped with a damp cloth. However, you should not get them too wet, as the porous surface can absorb excess moisture.
Recommendation. An important advantage of foamed vinyl is that it perfectly hides surface irregularities. Therefore, such wallpaper can be glued to unprepared (uneven) walls without fear that the defects will be very visible.
Smooth Vinyl
Smooth vinyl, or in other words, dense, is made in such a way that it can be washed. This is a fairly durable coating , most often having a smooth surface. There are also relief options in the form of brickwork or stone . Often, thick vinyl wallpaper is glued in places with high humidity, for example, in the kitchen, hallway or bathroom . Their structure is such that their surface is easy to care for.
Find out the consumption of water-based wall paint before purchasing - this will help you avoid unnecessary costs.
Read about tile kitchen countertops in this article. Here you can learn about all existing types of kitchen countertops and the criteria for choosing the best one.
The important thing is that smooth vinyl is resistant to sunlight: its color does not fade in the sun . You can also use detergents when washing such wallpaper.
During the manufacturing process, all harmful substances are removed from such material, so at room temperature they do not evaporate and are not harmful to health .
Hard Vinyl
Hard vinyl can imitate many materials and is very resistant to mechanical damage . This material is quite dense.
In appearance, hard vinyl wallpaper can resemble decorative plaster, different types of fabric or tiles.
An important quality is breathability .
Silkscreen printing
Silk-screen wallpaper is rightfully considered the most attractive type of vinyl wallpaper. This type of vinyl owes its name to the fact that its surface resembles silk . This effect occurs thanks to a special hot stamping method.
Such wallpaper is flat, thin and looks like fabric made from silk threads.
Silk-screen printing looks very rich and original . Thanks to this coating, you can create a truly spectacular atmosphere in the room. At the same time, such wallpapers are durable and strong.
What kind of substrate is best to use under it?
In materials for flooring made of polyvinyl chloride, it will not be possible to find an answer based on the type of substrate under it, since the concept of “vinyl laminate” currently includes several completely different materials:
- PVC floor tiles (regular covering);
- self-adhesive panels (Contesse);
- vinyl laminate with a locking connection method (quartz vinyl).
There is no point in laying the backing under the tiles and lamellas on glue - there should be no intermediate link (layer) between the base of the floor and the glue. A number of interlocking laminate manufacturers also believe that an underlay is not needed. The inscription on the packaging will help you figure out when it is necessary to lay a substrate, where this point is necessarily specified: “needed, not needed.”
If laying the underlay according to the flooring installation technology is necessary, you can buy:
- cork backing. This is the most effective material that allows you to compensate for unevenness of the base, retain heat well and absorb sound waves. Considering the small thickness of the lamella board and its flexibility, the optimal thickness of the backing is 2 mm (on the forums, visitors note that with a thicker backing, the floor begins to sag under the weight of an adult);
- "Izolon" is the cheapest material. It is necessary to lay foamed polyethylene with a thickness of 3 mm. Under the weight of the floor covering, it will shrink to 2 mm, which will compensate for unevenness of the base;
- "Tuplex" . This underlay perfectly compensates for unevenness on the floor base and is a good heat and sound insulating material. Here, too, the optimal thickness is 2 mm;
- coniferous substrate - guarantees compensation for minor irregularities and good sound insulation. One of the best options when installing a “warm floor” is to ensure uniform distribution of heat over the surface of the laminate.
Roll sizes
To correctly calculate the required number of rolls of wallpaper for a room , you need to not only measure the surface area, but also carefully study the data on the label.
There are three sizes of vinyl wallpaper rolls. The most common is 0.53 × 10.05 m. If this is foamed vinyl wallpaper intended for painting, then the roll dimensions can be 1.0 × 10 m or 1.06 × 25 m.
Thus, when calculating the required amount of material, take these small discrepancies into account. The missing roll, of course, can be purchased, but there is no guarantee that its shade will fully match what you already have. Therefore, it is better to calculate correctly right away.
Advantages
There are several justifiable reasons why vinyl wallpaper is very popular.
The first thing that catches your eye is, of course, their beauty . And there really is a lot to choose from. Imitations of all kinds of materials - stone, fabrics, plaster - are sometimes so natural that it is difficult to determine at first glance what kind of coating it really is. Wallpaper of any colors and textures is at your service.
Walls covered with vinyl wallpaper seem voluminous , which gives the room more comfort and sophistication at the same time. At the same time, such walls absorb sound , which can be especially important in apartment buildings.
The walls on which you are going to glue such wallpaper do not have to be leveled to perfection . The structure of the material itself is such that it can successfully hide irregularities, cracks and other flaws . And this makes it possible to save time and some funds for surface preparation.
Vinyl wallpaper owes its popularity to the following qualities:
- resistance to mechanical damage;
- density;
- durability;
- resistance to moisture.
Some types of vinyl wallpaper can be wiped with a damp cloth, while others can even be washed with detergents. This helps keep them well-groomed and clean. With proper care, the coating retains its attractive appearance .
Many people worry about the environmental friendliness of the material. It has been proven that vinyl itself does not emit harmful substances into the atmosphere . The same can be said for the base, paper or non-woven fabric. The paints used in production are also harmless, as they are water-based .
Important! When purchasing, always check product quality certificates. Only then can you be sure that the product is environmentally friendly.
Another important factor in favor of vinyl wallpaper is that they do not lose their attractiveness in direct sunlight, that is, their color does not fade .
This finish will serve you for a long time, maintaining its original beauty.
Does this type of coating have any disadvantages?
Of course, vinyl wallpaper also has some disadvantages - disadvantages that cannot be ignored. This will help avoid disappointments in the future.
The first feature concerns the properties of this finishing material to swell when wet, and then, as it dries, to shrink. Therefore, if you lack experience, problems may arise when gluing. In some species it can be difficult to adjust the sutures .
Not all types of vinyl wallpaper are airtight . So, foamed vinyl allows air to pass through well. But it is not recommended to glue such wallpaper, especially from thick vinyl, in places with poor ventilation or high humidity, as well as in children's rooms.
If the price can be considered a disadvantage, then it is also worth mentioning. Vinyl wallpaper is classified as expensive . But behind the price there is good quality and durability . They can last 7–10 years . If treated correctly they will still look good.
The nuances of laying vinyl laminate flooring
When working with quartz vinyl panels, it is necessary, in addition to following the classical technology of laying laminate (see the work “How to lay laminate on a concrete floor?”), to take into account some nuances associated with the different composition of the components of the floor covering.
- Before installation, it is necessary to soak the floor for 48 hours in the room where it will be installed so that it takes on geometric shapes at a specific temperature.
- All holes for the passage of heating pipes must be cut according to the pattern.
- The best way to cut vinyl is with a utility knife.
- Since the floor practically does not expand under the influence of different temperatures and humidity, there is no need to leave technological gaps.
- Due to the fact that water that gets under the floor covering practically does not dry out when flooded, it is advisable to seal the joint between the wall and the vinyl laminate with silicone sealant (this also applies to obstacles) - water can only get under the covering near the walls and heating pipes.
Installation of quartz vinyl laminate.
Reviews
Yuri, Moscow: We heard a lot about the beauty of vinyl wallpaper and decided to try it. We chose the option with a non-woven base, rolls 1 meter wide. Surprisingly, the wide strips stuck on quite easily. It is also convenient that you only need to apply glue to the wall. These two points saved our time well. The wallpaper lay down very well and did not crack when drying, like paper wallpaper. There was no damp feeling. The very next day the room was ready, so we could arrange the furniture.
Maria, Omsk: Our walls are very uneven. Therefore, we were looking for wallpaper that could hide the imperfections as much as possible. Friends recommended vinyl ones. They are supposedly voluminous and embossed. Having installed vinyl wallpaper, we were not disappointed. We chose hot-stamped wallpaper: incredibly beautiful! They perfectly hid differences in level and roughness on the walls. Now the room looks especially elegant and rich. We have small children, so we were also attracted by the fact that the obi can be washed. And this is not difficult to do: all contaminants are easily removed. The main thing is that the room always looks beautiful and remains clean.
Olga, Belgorod: When we were thinking about choosing wallpaper, we wanted something beautiful and practical, something that would last a long time. We settled on vinyl wallpaper. We chose washable ones for the kitchen, and bought foam ones for the hallway. It’s good that we found out in advance whether vinyl wallpaper is see-through. The wall had dark spots, so we first coated it with gypsum primer. And then they boldly hung light wallpaper. They look really chic and are easy to clean. They don’t tear or wear out – everything is just as we wanted.
Today, vinyl production is under threat.
The reasons are the most mundane. On February 6, a fire broke out at the Apollo Masters plant in Banning, California. It is at this plant that pure varnish records are produced, which are used as a master disc. They are then used to make a stamp for the press. In the whole world, such “blanks”, besides Apollo, are made by only one company - MDC in Japan. However, its production capacity is definitely not enough to fully satisfy demand - Apollo produced three-quarters of all varnish discs. Even if the company recovers from the disaster, which even the plant management is not sure of, the consequences could still be tangible. Both recording studios and stamp manufacturers, who may now be curtailing production, depend on the production of blanks.
However, everything can work out. Firstly, there are some stocks of Apollo records left, enough for the first time. Secondly, today there is DMM technology - direct metal mastering; when using it, varnish blanks are not needed at all. It is not very common, but the very fact of its existence suggests that vinyl will not die at all. Thirdly, some major labels have already commented, saying that many important releases in the coming months have been mastered and the stamps for them are ready, so there is time to resolve the problems with the blanks. Fourthly, if Apollo decides not to restore the plant, the company can at least sell the secret formula of its varnish to someone else, all the value lies in it.
The most telling comment came from Cash Carter, COO of Kindercore Vinyl Pressing in Georgia:
We were worried about this, we had internal meetings about this. We asked each other: what if MDC or Apollo left? Then we'll be finished. We were afraid, but we didn't think it would actually happen. We have been saying for years that the situation needs to be corrected. Now we really need to fix it.
A visual demonstration of the “cutting” of a master record.
This video uses a blank from MDC. Some experts say the case will help advance new ideas in record production faster. So now High Definition Vinyl technology is in development. Its essence is that the audio is converted into a topographical 3D map of the vinyl track, which is laser applied directly to the stamp. To produce such stamps, no varnish is needed, and the manufacturer also promises that the sound characteristics of such records will be higher than those of traditional ones, and more music will fit on them.
In addition, there are several startups producing lacquer blanks and amid Apollo's problems, they may receive support and release their products by the summer. Yes, and MDC promise to increase production as much as possible. Well, vinyl fans can only watch the situation and buy records for future use.
How to care?
Is it possible to wash vinyl wallpaper? In general, this coating belongs to the class of washable coating. But the permissible degree of wetting is indicated on the packaging , and it should be taken into account. Since different types of vinyl have slightly different structures (it can be porous or dense ), different types of cleaning are used.
Is it possible and how to wash vinyl wallpaper?
There is a marking on the package . single wave icon indicates that the wallpaper can only be wiped with a damp cloth. It must be well wrung out, otherwise moisture will be absorbed into the surface.
If the packaging indicates three waves , as well as a brush, such wallpaper can be washed with detergent and a hard brush can be used for cleaning.
Since vinyl wallpaper has a textured surface, dust accumulates on it. Therefore, cleaning should begin by shaking off this dust with a dry cloth or using a vacuum cleaner. If there is a need to wet clean the wallpaper, there will be no dust marks left on it.
How and with what to wash vinyl wallpaper? For this, just clean water is suitable, and if the contamination is severe, then a soap solution or alcohol.
You cannot use abrasive cleaners or aggressive chemicals, as they will damage the very structure of the coating. These include solvents, bleaches or turpentine.
If you use a sponge, it should be exclusively natural.
Wallpaper should be washed from bottom to top to avoid streaks or stains. The soap solution or alcohol should be washed off with clean water, and then the remaining moisture should be removed from the surface with a cotton rag. Wallpaper should not be rubbed vigorously.
Advice. It is better to test the cleaning product on a separate piece of wallpaper before use.
If cared for correctly, vinyl wallpaper will retain its structure and beauty intact for many years.
The history of the recording industry began with records.
Apart from early experiments with wax rollers and something only vaguely reminiscent of modern records back in the 19th century, the starting point for “vinyl” can be considered February 26, 1917. Then in New York, in the building of the Victor Talking Machine company, the first commercial gramophone record was recorded. And on March 7 of the same 1917, it was officially released. A quintet from New Orleans, the Original Dixieland Jazz Band, was recording. Yes, the first commercial gramophone record in history featured jazz, and even from white musicians.
It is worth clarifying that previously music on records had already been released, but these were mainly excerpts of classical works. It was the ODJB recording - which became extremely popular - that launched the recording industry, and at the same time seriously popularized jazz. Surprisingly, before this no one sought to record and sell their music, although there had been opportunities since the beginning of the century.
However, the early music of ODJB can only be called jazz jazz. The quintet's musicians were of Celtic and Italian blood, and began by playing in a marching band. They learned about jazz while touring in Chicago. Then they realized that interest in this new southern music was growing. Returning to New Orleans, the musicians created a “jazz” ensemble - this was in 1916, and it existed until 1925. The quintet's musical skills were enough to copy the sound of the “black” ensembles quite closely. And in the end, they also earned recognition - the composition Dixie Jass One-Step from their debut album was subsequently often played by black musicians.
Even earlier - in 1916 - a real jazz quintet, the Versatile Four, recorded on a record. However, their recording was released much later, so the Original Dixieland Jazz Band is still considered the pioneers.
