A Wallcovering Expert Reveals: 3 Things I Wish My Clients Knew
What should you know about wall coverings?
Starwalls Inspiration
Singapore’s wall covering experts, Starwalls, have three things they want you know before you either put up your own wallpaper or hire someone to do it. They’ve also got a couple of handy tips to make your wall coverings look great and last longer.
1. Prep walls
“Wall preparation is just as important as choosing the right wall coverings,” explains Ernest Quek from Starwalls. “Most clients neglect the existing wall conditions such as unevenness, existing cracks, moisture or fungi growth on their walls.
“Choosing the perfect wall covering is only part of making your walls beautiful. Any undulating surface will show up if they are not plastered and may also damage the product during the process of hanging.”
Quek explains that when clients are told in advance that small hairline cracks can be addressed with wall coverings, most assume that more major defects can also be covered up.
“Wall preparation is just as important as choosing the right wall coverings,” explains Ernest Quek from Starwalls. “Most clients neglect the existing wall conditions such as unevenness, existing cracks, moisture or fungi growth on their walls.
“Choosing the perfect wall covering is only part of making your walls beautiful. Any undulating surface will show up if they are not plastered and may also damage the product during the process of hanging.”
Quek explains that when clients are told in advance that small hairline cracks can be addressed with wall coverings, most assume that more major defects can also be covered up.
“Some cracks may worsen over time and that will inevitably tear or damage the wall coverings. Knowing the cause of the cracks will help determine if the wall is suitable to have wall coverings and what type to choose,” says Quek.
“Water-based sealant is highly recommended as it prevents moisture from penetrating through the wall covering, which will inherently help with the preservation of the product.
“Any existing fungi growth on the wall will damage the wall covering with patchiness and discouloration when it eventually grows through the wall covering,” he explains.
“Water-based sealant is highly recommended as it prevents moisture from penetrating through the wall covering, which will inherently help with the preservation of the product.
“Any existing fungi growth on the wall will damage the wall covering with patchiness and discouloration when it eventually grows through the wall covering,” he explains.
2. Wall coverings will elevate an interior space better
“Having one wall with a wall covering works much better in creating the mood or atmosphere,” explains Quek.
“Few decorative objects can inject the space with personality better than one well-designed wall covering. Hanging just one wall mural will cost less than a piece of designer furniture so it presents better value for money and also helps with budget control.
“Having one wall with a wall covering works much better in creating the mood or atmosphere,” explains Quek.
“Few decorative objects can inject the space with personality better than one well-designed wall covering. Hanging just one wall mural will cost less than a piece of designer furniture so it presents better value for money and also helps with budget control.
3. Quality wall coverings will cost more
The old saying “you get what you pay for” applies to wall coverings.
“The quality of a wall covering is defined largely by the quality of paper or vinyl, backing, ink pigments, type of printing technology used,” explains Quek.
“The quality of paper is measured by weight and it has to be matched to the printing machine’s capability to ensure that the intended design is represented properly in the finished product. Quality wall coverings have been researched and tested before they are released and this requires expertise.”
The old saying “you get what you pay for” applies to wall coverings.
“The quality of a wall covering is defined largely by the quality of paper or vinyl, backing, ink pigments, type of printing technology used,” explains Quek.
“The quality of paper is measured by weight and it has to be matched to the printing machine’s capability to ensure that the intended design is represented properly in the finished product. Quality wall coverings have been researched and tested before they are released and this requires expertise.”
Quek advises homeowners to feel samples to compare the quality of the paper and printing as well as ask the vendor about the durability and colour-fastness.
One thing I always get asked…
“I’m always asked if there is a way to eliminate the joint lines,” says Quek. “There are methods to minimise them, but eliminating them entirely is impossible.”
His tips:
“I’m always asked if there is a way to eliminate the joint lines,” says Quek. “There are methods to minimise them, but eliminating them entirely is impossible.”
His tips:
- Paint the wall a close colour of the wall covering’s main colour so that joint lines blend in.
- Although joint lines can be minimised by good workmanship, expansion and contraction of wall coverings are not uncommon in Singapore’s climate.
- Joint lines can also be minimised by using quality wall murals; the entire design is printed in one piece and cut into panels for hanging so there are “no patterns to match”.
Starwalls Inspiration
My golden nugget …
“While we invest heavily in renovation fees, expensive carpentry work and huge LED TVs, we often neglect wall coverings – the component that plays an important role in giving the space personality,” says Quek.
TELL US
Were these tips about wall coverings useful? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
“While we invest heavily in renovation fees, expensive carpentry work and huge LED TVs, we often neglect wall coverings – the component that plays an important role in giving the space personality,” says Quek.
TELL US
Were these tips about wall coverings useful? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.