Decorative plaster or wallpaper: which is better? What is better - wallpaper or decorative plaster? Why plaster is better than wallpaper

Quite often we hear from those who do renovations: “I’d rather put up wallpaper, it’s cheaper!” Let's try to figure out whether wallpaper is really better and cheaper than decorative plaster? To do this, let's look at some facts, and only then you can form your own opinion.

Fact one: decorative plaster is inexpensive

Judge for yourself, a roll of medium-sized wallpaper costs about 2,000 rubles (we don’t take into account cheap non-woven ones for painting; they are only worth decorating temporary offices and apartments for rent; it won’t be a shame if they get damaged). The roll is 10 m long and 0.5 m wide. You can cut 4 strips from one roll only if you have ceilings below 2.4 meters and wallpaper without selecting a pattern. In most cases, we can only get 3 strips of 3x0.5 m. A total of 4.5 square meters of net area for 2000 rubles. This means the cost of one square meter will be about 450 rubles. And this is provided that your wall is a multiple of the width of the strip, i.e. 0.5 m.

What happens to prices for decorative plaster? Just look at a number of websites of Italian manufacturers, and it will immediately become clear that prices start at 200 rubles per square meter. Those. everything is not as clear as initially thought.

Fact two: applying decorative plaster costs no more than wallpapering a room

Also an opinion from the distant past. Now technology is such that there is a huge amount of materials that you can apply with your own hands. Fortunately, the Internet is full of video tutorials. Or, for example, the website of Italian paints Ferrara Design offers free master classes on applying decorative plaster. Just 2 hours and you can create an exclusive interior at home for less money.

And last but most important!

In addition to the fact that modern decorative paints and plaster are safe (just choose materials with an A+ safety certificate, they are clean and hypoallergenic), they are much more elegant than wallpaper, have no joints, will never come off, and most importantly, are easily restored (wallpaper in general cannot be restored - if they are torn, then everything needs to be re-glued).

Look at what such prestigious brands as Ferrara Design, Oikos or Antica Signoria offer - these decorative coatings can be tinted in absolutely any shade. It's unlikely that you'll get that kind of choice with wallpaper.

Based on these facts, each of us will already make a choice - some will choose wallpaper, the old-fashioned way, while others will make an inexpensive and modern interior from decorative plaster.

An important factor, since not all of us have the opportunity to frequently change wall coverings. The service life of plaster depends on its type, for example, silicone can last about 60 years, silicate and polymer - up to half a century, mineral - up to 30. Of course, wallpaper cannot boast of such durability: even the most reliable of them (fiberglass) will delight their owners for no more than 10-20 years.

The appearance of walls decorated with plaster will be attractive, high-quality and durable if you responsibly approach not only the choice of material and tools, but also qualified specialists.

Disadvantages of wallpaper:

Paper wallpaper is not waterproof and easily tears when applied to the surface (do not overdo it with glue);

Textile wallpaper attracts dust, so it needs to be removed and washed regularly;

Washable wallpaper is difficult to stick to walls and requires an extremely dry surface;

If the pasting technology is violated, mold may appear under the wallpaper;

Wallpaper should not be used to decorate rooms with high humidity and external walls.

But wallpaper can be applied to any surface (prefabricated panels, aerated concrete, brick, plaster), and anyone can work with it, even without special skills.

Price question: which is cheaper?

Cosmetic repairs will cost you a ridiculous amount if you limit yourself to covering the walls with wallpaper made from inexpensive paper material without preliminary preparation of the walls. Vinyl and non-woven wallpapers are more expensive - they can hide some surface imperfections. Newfangled seamless coatings, the cost of which reaches several thousand rubles per meter, will hit the wallet even more.

As for plaster, there are many varieties: Venetian, graffito, Danish, bark beetle. Their cost per square meter can be quite high, and only a professional can apply any of the listed materials to the walls.

It should be noted that choosing between plaster and wallpaper, based on their cost, must take into account the future, because plaster is much more reliable than any other coating.

Benefits of plastering

Changeable, versatile and unique plaster has high level plasticity.

With its help, you can skillfully recreate a wide variety of surfaces: marble, onyx, granite, fabric, leather, wood.

Plaster allows you to endlessly experiment with shades and patterns.

This material is applied seamlessly, and the surface made with its help is easy to clean, indifferent to the sun’s rays and “breathes”.

All types of plaster are resistant to mechanical stress.

This coating does not require serious preparation of the treated surface.

The plaster does not absorb foreign odors and has a sound-absorbing effect.

Benefits of wallpaper stickers

Minimum expenditure of time and money.

Possibility to carry out repairs yourself.

The ability to hide defects made by builders.

The widest range of products, a variety of styles, patterns and ornaments.

Ability to imitate a wide range of finishing materials.

Plaster – best material century?

Plaster often becomes the “foundation” for wallpaper, but does this mean that this material can be called the only, unique and irreplaceable? Perhaps not, because for several years now plaster has been competing with liquid wallpaper, which has one significant advantage over its more “adult” counterpart. It lies in the fact that any damaged area of the coating can simply be removed (scraping off the frozen mass) and again covered with an appropriate amount of new soaked material.

The advantages of liquid wallpaper

This material does not require perfect leveling of surfaces before application.

It can be applied to both horizontal and vertical surfaces.

The jointless coating easily fills any gaps.

Liquid wallpaper has good heat and sound insulating properties.

They absorb excess moisture, do not attract dust, and contain fungicides that prevent the appearance of dampness and mold.

Working with liquid wallpaper is a pleasure. They do not have a strong odor, do not generate dust and do not require special skills.

Against the backdrop of numerous advantages, the disadvantages of liquid wallpaper do not look so impressive: the high price and the need to dry the walls within 24 hours after applying the material.

Let's sum it up

Decorative plaster is a material that is less susceptible to wear and mechanical damage, pleasing with a variety of colors and application methods. With a relatively small difference in cost, plaster is superior to conventional wallpaper in all respects: it is more reliable, stronger, easier to apply and use, and more interesting in terms of design.

Liquid wallpaper in its qualities is much closer to decorative plaster. Representing a synthesis of cotton and cellulose fibers, high-quality dyes and adhesive composition, they are supplied to the shelves in powder or liquid form, diluted water-based paint and are applied to the walls with a roller or spray gun. It is economical, environmentally friendly, fast, efficient and beautiful.

The last word remains with you, because both wallpaper and plaster have a lot of varieties, among which you will certainly find the right “clothing” for your walls.

How to choose a sink for a bathroom?

The benefits of wallpapering

Before you decide, you need to consider the pros and cons of the two options. So which is better? Let's start with the wallpaper.

They are extremely popular and are now known to everyone. Due to their practicality and low cost, they are used both in offices and in private homes. However, not everyone knows about the main characteristics. The advantages include:

wallpaper is made from environmentally friendly substances that do not cause allergies and do not cause any harm to humans or animals;
wallpaper is a good sound insulator, which gives it a definite advantage over other coatings. This material also does a good job of retaining heat in the room;
gluing requires virtually no surface preparation. The material is able to hide minor imperfections in walls, such as unevenness or cracks. The only thing you need to pay attention to is the choice of high-quality glue;
The wallpaper is soft and outperforms its competitors in beauty. This type of coating guarantees a large selection of design solutions;
Even a beginner can hang wallpaper. The process is quite easy and does not require much effort or investment. This coating is quite cheap, so you won’t need any special financial expenses. The main thing is to carefully consider cutting the rolls and follow the instructions provided;
the material has good throughput, which will provide protection against mold on the walls.

Main selection criteria

The choice of coating is influenced by a huge number of factors. First of all, you need to take into account personal tastes and the quality of the walls. Let's consider the main criteria when choosing wall finishes:

The first and, perhaps, the most important criterion is the budget allocated for repairs. If you don’t plan to invest a lot of money in repairs, then it would be better to opt for wallpaper. They are cheaper compared to decorative plaster. Also, for the second option, you will need to additionally prepare the wall and, most likely, seek help from specialists, which will greatly affect the final cost of the repair;
It is worth considering the period for which the repair is planned. If you like to frequently update the design of your room, then wallpaper is better. Conversely, if repairs are planned for many years, the plaster will become the best option. If treated properly, it can last for more than ten years;
It’s also worth deciding whether you can handle the repairs alone or whether it’s better to use the help of a construction team. Don't forget that wallpapering is much easier than applying decorative plaster.

Advice! Please note that if you plan exterior decoration walls, a clear advantage for decorative plaster.

As a result, it is important to note that the choice of coating does not greatly affect the beauty of the room. All factors are of a purely practical nature. Ultimately, the choice depends on your personal preferences, tastes or expectations for your renovation. The style in which you want to renovate may also influence your choice. For classic style The best option would be wallpaper with patterns, and for a modern one, both finishing options are suitable. As an option, you can use a combined finish with different colors. It is also worth taking into account the furniture that will be installed in the room.

Which plaster is better

There are quite a lot of decorative solutions for walls and each of them has its own advantages. Definitely answer which one would be better suited for the wall, it won't work. So let's look at each option and analyze its characteristics. So, decorative plaster can be:

Venetian When finishing the wall, it imitates a stone coating or fabric. Often used specifically for internal lining, but there are varieties that are used for outdoor work. The solution is distinguished by its quality and strength, and it is also capable of providing a long service life, which can reach twenty years. The mixture has a high vapor permeability rate, so it is often used for walls in the kitchen or bathroom;
bark beetle This plaster has a rain effect and is very popular for wall treatments. The bark beetle is chosen for outdoor work and occasionally for interior walls. The mixture is of high quality and has good protection from frost, moisture and sun rays;
mineral. Special stone chips are added to this mixture, which allows you to achieve a decorative effect. It can be used for both internal and external wall cladding.

As you can see, the choice of plaster depends on your preferences and type of work. If planned interior decoration It is better to use Venetian mixture for walls, and for external work - bark beetle or mineral solutions.

Liquid wallpaper

A plastic material for finishing rooms, liquid wallpaper has another name - liquid plaster for walls. It is believed that this wallpaper combines the benefits roll wallpaper and decorative plaster.

Various colors and shades of liquid wallpaper

Types of liquid wallpaper and their composition

This material is a dry mixture of silk or cellulose fibers, glue, plasticizers, pigments and additional components (mother of pearl, glitter, etc.). Types of liquid wallpaper depend on the main component of the mixture:

Silk liquid wallpaper;

The basis of such wallpaper is silk fiber, which gives the finished material durability and high resistance to ultraviolet radiation. The main component not only makes silk liquid wallpaper the highest quality and most attractive, but also affects the price - they are the most expensive.

Liquid wallpaper made of cellulose;

Cellulose significantly reduces the cost of wallpaper, while reducing durability. Externally, liquid cellulose wallpaper looks much simpler than silk.

Combined view.

The mixture for liquid cellulose-silk wallpaper contains both cellulose and silk fibers, so this material allows you to obtain a high-quality, durable and aesthetic wall covering. The cost of such wallpaper is in the middle price segment.

View of interior walls decorated using liquid wallpaper

Application method

Applying liquid wallpaper to a wall is not difficult, but it is important to follow all the nuances of the technology. Covering walls with liquid wallpaper consists of the following steps:

Removing old coating from walls;
Applying a primer to the walls;
Preparation of the mixture for liquid wallpaper according to the instructions;
Applying the finished mixture to the walls using a spatula or a construction gun;
Optional stage - if the liquid wallpaper was intended for painting, after complete drying, paint is applied to it.

Applying a mixture of liquid wallpaper to the wall surface using a spatula

Depending on the specific mixture and room temperature, such wallpaper will dry from 12 to 72 hours.

Important! When mixing liquid wallpaper, the entire package is used at once, otherwise the percentage composition of the components from an incomplete package will significantly change the characteristics of the material.

Price

To understand the real price it will cost to cover walls with liquid wallpaper, you should start from the cost of covering 1 m² with this material.

The price range for a standard 1kg package of liquid wallpaper ranges from 150 to 800 rubles. Some manufacturers claim that one package of the mixture is enough to cover 5 m², but in practice the mixture from one package is enough to cover approximately 4 m² of surface. It turns out that the price for covering 1 m² of walls with liquid wallpaper will cost from 37 to 200 rubles, depending on the type of material chosen.

Decorative plaster

This material, which allows you to create a unique pattern and relief on the walls, as well as all kinds of imitation effects, has long been in demand for surface finishing.

Types of decorative plasters and their composition

The composition of decorative plaster includes main components, binders, a water base, as well as various thickeners, fillers and additives.

Textured decorative plaster;

A relatively inexpensive material that allows you to obtain a three-dimensional surface effect, it is the most popular of all types of decorative plasters. The main fillers are wood fibers, small pebbles and mica.

View of a wall surface decorated using textured plaster

Structural plaster;

The basis of this mixture is a fine-grained mineral filler (in particular, quartz), which makes the finished surface quite homogeneous. Most often, such decorative plaster is used to create shallow visual imitations, for example, tree bark.

Visual effects on the surface of structural plaster

Venetian plaster;

This material, which is based on mineral chips, is used to create a smooth and shiny coating reminiscent of marble.

Imitation of a marble surface on the wall using Venetian plaster

Flock plaster.

The youngest type of decorative plaster consists of an adhesive base, small fragments of different colors - flocks, and a varnish coating. It is in this order that the components are applied to the wall.

Motley particles - flocks, on the surface of flock plaster

Based on their composition, decorative plaster is also divided into acrylic, silicone, mineral and silicate. All these four types of finishing materials are successfully used both for finishing walls in rooms and for facade walls.

Silicate plaster is most often used as decorative plaster for exterior use. This is due to the composition of this type of material. It is based on potassium glass, and it is believed that during operation, silicate plaster can release substances hazardous to human health. However, many renovation specialists choose this type of plaster for finishing aerated concrete surfaces.

Depending on the type of plaster chosen, the process of applying it to the wall may include different stages, but the main ones are:

Removing the previous coating from the walls;
Wall primer (the type of primer is selected based on the composition of the mixture);
Prepare the mixture according to the instructions (if the selected type of plaster requires it);
Applying the composition in an even layer to a section of the wall;
Creating a relief using special tools after the mixture has “set” a little;
After about 20 minutes, when the shine on the surface disappears, carefully smooth the relief;
Leveling small irregularities with sandpaper after the composition has completely dried;
Finishing the finished surface if necessary - painting, gilding, etc.

Important! When applying Venetian plaster, the sequence is different and includes several stages that require experience and skill.

You can watch the following video, in which the master clearly shows how to get an interesting effect on the wall if you apply regular paint to decorative plaster:

A standard 25 kg bag of decorative plaster costs from 550 to 3600 rubles, this variation is due to the different composition and brand of the manufacturer. Consumption per 1 m² ranges from 1.5 to 4 kg depending on the type of plaster chosen. Thus, the cost of covering 1 m² of surface with decorative plaster will cost from 140 to 2400 rubles. Of course, the upper limit may be higher; sometimes there are formulations with extremely expensive elite fillers.

Advantages and disadvantages of coatings

To compare liquid wallpaper and decorative plaster, let's look at the main advantages and disadvantages of each of these types of coatings.

Advantages:
- Easy to prepare the mixture and apply to the walls;
- No seams;
- Hide wall unevenness;
- Allow the walls to “breathe”;
- Environmental friendliness;
- Low cost;
- The ability to restore a section of the wall if damaged during operation;
- Easy to remove from walls during subsequent repairs;
- Nice appearance.

Flaws:
- A small variety of colors and textures;
- Instability to moisture.

Ease of restoring a damaged section of a wall using liquid wallpaper

Advantages:
- High coating strength;
- Environmental friendliness;
- No seams;
- Hides uneven walls;
- Easy to clean - can be washed with water and cleaned with a vacuum cleaner;
- Allows walls to “breathe”;
- Huge possibilities for design solutions.

Flaws:
- More expensive;
- It is difficult to restore the damaged area;
- The process of removing from the walls is quite labor-intensive;
- Some types of plasters require special skills in application.

A variety of imitations and decorative finishing of walls using decorative plaster

Conclusion

When choosing between decorative plaster and liquid wallpaper, it is important to answer several questions:

What is the budget for finishing?

Decorative plaster, even in the middle price segment, will cost much more than elite liquid wallpaper. In addition, plastering can require large surface preparation costs.

Are there animals in the house that can damage the walls?

Liquid wallpaper makes it easy to restore a damaged area. It is enough to dilute a small piece of wallpaper preserved after repair with water and apply it to the section of the wall that requires restoration.

When is the next renovation planned and how long do you plan to live in the house?

If you plan to change your place of residence in the future or the owner is used to making repairs frequently, it is easier to choose liquid wallpaper.

Which premises are you planning to renovate?

Are special visual effects desired?

In this regard, decorative plaster leaves liquid wallpaper far behind, allowing you to create countless unique and spectacular surfaces, including imitation leather, wood bark, marble, etc.

Both materials considered are an excellent solution for finishing - they help hide unevenness and imperfections of the walls, do not require perfect alignment (the exception is Venetian plaster), are easy to apply and allow you to obtain a visually attractive surface without seams. Each of them can be optimal depending on the specific situation, so it’s up to you to decide which one is best for your home.

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General advantages and disadvantages

If you turn to encyclopedic reference books, you can find the following characteristic of decorative plaster - this is the finishing layer of a hardened solution of alabaster, lime or gypsum, applied to the walls and ceiling to give the surface an aesthetic appearance.

Liquid wallpaper is, in principle, the same decorative plaster, i.e. a hardened layer of mixture applied to walls for finishing. The following facts indicate a confusion of concepts: in the technical specifications liquid wallpaper is designated by the term “silk plaster,” and Wikipedia classifies silk plaster as one of the types of decorative. There is another confusing term - “Danish decorative plaster”, which is actually liquid wallpaper.

In order not to get confused, you need to understand the difference between these finishing materials. Their main and only difference is that decorative plaster contains quartz sand, while liquid wallpaper does not contain it - it is replaced by cellulose.

Another surprising thing is that these materials have almost identical advantages. If we talk about the advantages, they are:

applied to walls made of any material: gypsum plasterboard, brick, stone, concrete, wood;
hide imperfections in the surface of a wall or ceiling: cracks, cracks, sinkholes, chips;
allow you to create various patterns and full-fledged drawings, in color;
have good sound insulation properties;
regulate the microclimate in the room thanks to the ability to “breathe”;
good insulation;
have a long service life;
belong to an environmentally friendly finishing material - the components of the mixture are not hypoallergenic;
have no seams or joints - a solid surface is more aesthetically pleasing and durable;
do not have waste in the form of paper scraps, adhesive residues, etc.

At the same time, there is still a difference between decorative plaster and liquid wallpaper.

This plaster has additional advantages:

high surface strength - difficult to damage mechanically;
easy care - the wall is cleaned with a wet cloth or vacuum cleaner;
is not afraid of water, so you can plaster rooms with high humidity (bathroom, kitchen);
also used for outdoor work - withstands temperature changes from -55 to +60 degrees Celsius;
has enormous potential for implementing various design ideas;
keeps it rich bright color the entire service life.

The disadvantages include:

high cost of finishing;
difficulty in restoring damaged areas (in most cases restoration is impossible);
cannot be applied to walls in houses that shrink - they will crack;
the labor-intensive process of removing from the walls during replacement;
professionals are required to carry out the work - a complex and labor-intensive plastering technology.

Among the advantages inherent only in liquid wallpaper, the following stand out:

elasticity - withstands any shrinkage and does not crack;
do not require experience or training - any beginner can do the job;
budget cost of finishing;
ease of removal when switching to another type of finish;
can be restored if damaged during operation;
pleasant appearance and texture - soft to the touch, reminiscent of silk.

For information: for repairs you can use frozen mixtures left over after completion finishing works.

they are afraid of moisture - can only be used in living rooms and hallways;
cannot be used for façade finishing;
limited in color scheme and texture;
They fade quickly when exposed to ultraviolet rays.

Comparison of technical and operational characteristics

The above advantages and disadvantages do not answer the question: what is better - liquid wallpaper or decorative plaster? To continue the comparison, let’s look at the technical, technological and operational characteristics of these types of finishes.

Does not have a specific composition. It has different binders, fillers and thickeners. The only component included in all possible plaster solutions is quartz sand, used as additives.

The most popular types of decorative plaster are:

Mineral. The binder is cement. Moisture resistant. Has a low price;
Polymer. Acrylic based. Very plastic and durable, resistant to aggressive environments;
Silicone. The main component is silicone resin. The advantages include the ability not to retain dust on its surface;
Silicate plaster is produced on the basis liquid glass. Resistant to mold and mildew, retards open flames during a fire.

The type of filler determines the aesthetic characteristics of the plaster.

Mica particles, wood fibers and small stones give textured decorative plaster, which in turn can have varieties:

“Lamb” - the surface is smooth, grainy. From the outside it resembles soft wool;
“Fur coat” - a plastered wall is similar to the previous finishing option, but not soft, but fleecy;
“Bark beetle” is a very popular type, in which the walls resemble old wood, undermined by the bark beetle - passages are visible.

Already from the name it is clear that textured plaster has a pronounced texture, which allows you to hide all the imperfections of the wall under the plaster layer. At the same time, the application technology is the simplest: you can do the work yourself.

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Structural plaster is based on the finest quartz sand and mica. To obtain an unusual surface texture, wood fibers or silk in the form of threads are sometimes added. After applying such a solution, the wall has a homogeneous structure, onto which an imitation of tree bark, sandstone, etc. can be applied with special rollers.

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Venetian plaster perfectly imitates real marble. This is facilitated by special mineral fillers: marble, granite and quartz chips. At the same time, with a decrease in the size of the filler fractions, the pattern becomes more delicate and deeper.

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The plaster is sold ready to use. Has a translucent appearance. It is tinted to match the color of the marble that will be used to decorate the room. Its peculiarity is that with each layer of plaster the finish becomes more luxurious, playing with different shades. To enhance the effect of natural stone, the surface of the wall is coated with wax and sanded.

A new product on the construction market is flock decorative plaster. It is based on several layers applied in a certain sequence to the wall: glue, then multi-colored flocks (they are also called chips) from acrylic paint, and varnish on top (this type of plaster does not fit into the classical definitions - it does not contain quartz sand).

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Depending on the filler, they are:

cotton;
silk;
cellulose;
combined (silk-cellulose).

Cotton wallpaper. They are very similar to decorative plaster - even experts do not always immediately determine the type of finishing material. They consist of cotton and cellulose fiber, decorative fillers and mineral additives.

They have a non-standard texture, which allows, as in the case of plaster, to create various panels and stucco molding. If necessary, enhance the color palette - additionally paint. The disadvantage of such wallpaper is its rather high price.

Cotton liquid wallpaper.

Silk wallpaper. The most expensive type (without labor costs). Contains silk and cotton fibers, mineral fillers, dyes and glue.

Please note: the components of cotton and silk wallpaper are similar. The difference is the amount of each type of fiber in each type of liquid plaster.

The smooth texture can be varied: by embossing with a special roller, a figured spatula, cutting the relief with a stick or various sparkles (glitter). Thanks to this texture property, wallpaper is universal - it can be used in any room with any interior. If necessary, you can additionally paint. They do not fade much under direct UV rays, which is why they have long term operation without additional repainting

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Cellulose wallpaper. It is based on wood fibers, which is why it is the cheapest type of liquid wallpaper. Accordingly, they have lower performance indicators: in appearance they are unpresentable, in terms of service life they are short-lived.

Silk-cellulose wallpaper. A more profitable option for wall decoration - adding silk removes all the disadvantages of cellulose wallpaper, except for the main thing - the service life increases, but only slightly.

Comparison various characteristics These types of finishes still do not make it clear where to stop, and at the same time make it even more confusing. Therefore, let's compare the cost factor.

Which is cheaper?

To understand what is cheaper, you need to start not from the price of a unit of material, but from the cost of 1 m2 of wall covered with each type of finish - then you can take into account the consumption of material per unit area and the cost of finishing work.

Liquid wallpaper. The cost of 1 kg starts at 150 rubles. But this is a cellulose-based material. Combined and cotton ones cost 250-550 rubles. For calculations, let's take the average value - 400 rubles / kg. The mixture consumption per unit area is in practice higher than what manufacturers indicate and is 4 m2 versus 5 m2. Therefore, you need to spend 100 rubles to purchase materials per square meter of wall.

The cost of work starts from 250 rubles/m2. In fact, you can order a master for 300 rubles. Total 1 m2 of wall costs 400 rubles.

For reference: 1 m2 of silk wallpaper will cost 1150-1300 rubles. for 1 m2. But, let us emphasize, this is the most expensive type of liquid wallpaper.

Decorative plaster. The price (25 kg bag) has a huge range - from 500 rubles. up to 4000 rub. The average price range is 1000-2000 rubles. per package. Consumption, depending on the type of plaster, ranges from 1.5 kg/m2 to 4 kg/m2. Let's focus on the average value of 2.5 kg/m2. Then the cost of decorative plaster per 1 m2 of wall will be 150 rubles/m2 (1500 rubles/25 kg/2.5 kg/m2).

You can order a master for 300-1200 rubles/m2. At the same time, the price of 300-350 rubles/m2 applies exclusively to phlox plaster. For other types it starts at a price of 450 rubles/m2. As a result, applying decorative plaster will cost at least 600 rubles/m2, on average 850-950 rubles/m2. The most expensive plaster costs approximately 5.0-6.0 thousand rubles. for 1 m2.

Conclusion: if you start from the cost factor, the problem: decorative plaster or liquid wallpaper - what to choose is easy to solve. Liquid wallpaper is much cheaper, especially since cotton and silk types are difficult to distinguish from textured and structural plaster.

Which is easier to apply?

The technology for applying each type of decorative plaster has its own characteristics, but in general the process can be described by the following steps:

the surface of the wall is cleaned of old finishing material and repaired, then primed and plastered, after which it is primed again;
the working mixture is prepared in accordance with the instructions printed on the packaging;
the composition is applied in an even layer over the wall;
after the mixture has set, an embossed surface is formed using relief rollers;
after the shine disappears (after 20 minutes), the surface is smoothed in order to remove the sharp edges of the relief;
After the plaster has completely dried, it is sanded with fine-grained sandpaper.

The process of applying liquid wallpaper is simpler:

old wall decoration (paint, wallpaper) is removed, after which cracks and chips are repaired;
the surface is primed with the mixture selected for application;
the composition is prepared in accordance with the instructions printed on the packaging;

Important: pour out the entire pack, otherwise the proportions of the components will be disrupted.

The mixture is applied to the wall with a spatula;
after complete drying, the wall surface is painted (no operation required for painted wallpaper).

From a comparison of technologies, it is clear that plastering work is more labor-intensive, while liquid wallpaper can be applied independently.

Fact one: decorative plaster is inexpensive

Fact two: applying decorative plaster costs no more than wallpapering a room

And last but most important!

Based on these facts, each of us will already make a choice - some in favor of wallpaper, in the old fashioned way, while others will make themselves an inexpensive and modern interior from decorative plaster.

In this article I will try to answer one of the most difficult questions that our clients face when choosing a material for wall decoration.

It is necessary to decide what to cover the walls with long before starting renovation work, since most likely they will need to be prepared, and this is a rather lengthy and messy process. It is also important to do this in advance in order to calculate an approximate estimate and then not go beyond the established budget.

The main materials that you will have to choose between will most likely be wallpaper (as has always been customary) and decorative plaster (the material appeared on Russian market not so long ago, but has firmly taken its position and is gradually displacing wallpaper from its home).

Let's start with durability.

Service life is one of the main factors in choosing materials when decorating premises, since in our troubled times, with the constant threat of a crisis, the next time repairs may simply not be affordable and will be postponed until better times, and in general, while doing repairs at the moment , you don’t want to think about how and when you’ll have to redo everything all over again, which means that the wall covering material should last as long as possible.

As for plaster, everything is quite simple:

The plaster does not fade from exposure to sunlight, the plaster does not wear off and is less susceptible to mechanical damage (such as animals who easily peel off the wallpaper with their claws or children who can scratch the wallpaper with toys), decorative plaster is easy to clean, without losing its durability qualities ( average term The service life of decorative plaster is from 35 to 70 years, with proper application and appropriate quality of materials).

Wallpaper, of course, cannot boast of such a service life:

Even the most reliable fiberglass wallpaper will last no more than 5 - 10 years if handled very carefully, and all other options are easily scratched, faded, rubbed and quickly lose their original beauty and appeal.

This means that in terms of service life, the score is 1 - 0 in favor of decorative plaster!!!

The next equally important issue is price.

High-quality domestically produced plaster will cost about 300-350 rubles per square meter, excluding the cost of application. Decorative, for example, Venetian plaster made in Italy or France will cost about 1000 rubles per square meter; it is naturally distinguished from inexpensive decorative plaster by its quality and some technical characteristics, such as the ability to hold cracks up to 1 - 1.5 cm.

Wallpaper, regardless of the manufacturer, is of course much cheaper: single-layer wallpaper will cost you approximately 100 rubles per roll, two-layer wallpaper - from 150 to 250 rubles per roll, inexpensive silk-screen printing (two-layer wallpaper, in which one layer consists of cellulose (paper base), and the other is made of polyvinyl) within 300 rubles. Naturally, there are also really expensive wallpapers that are distinguished by their quality and beauty of design, including, for example, textile (from 700 rubles per linear meter) or metal (approximately 800 rubles per linear meter with a roll width of approximately 0.7 meters).

That is, in principle, wallpaper comes out cheaper than decorative plaster, not always, but most often this is the case... but their quality will of course be many times worse, but still the score becomes 1 - 1.

So what is better, decorative wall coverings or wallpaper? What's easier?

For those who are just about to start repairs and have never encountered such issues before, the most acceptable option may seem to be the one that will expend a minimum of effort to obtain a satisfactory final result. Therefore, those who have ever had experience of wallpapering walls will most likely prefer wallpaper. And those who have never encountered either one or the other will probably not be afraid to pick up a spatula and decide to try their hand at applying decorative plaster.

Before wallpapering, it is necessary to prepare a perfectly flat and smooth wall surface. Then the walls need to be primed. After complete drying, we proceed to measuring a piece of wallpaper of the required length, spread it on the floor and apply glue. While the glue dries, apply it to the desired area of the wall. We apply our piece of wallpaper to the wall and gently rub it, trying not to tear off the top decorative layer and at the same time not to leave bubbles. Now let's move on to the next piece.

To apply decorative plaster, the wall does not need to be prepared or leveled; the plaster itself will hide all minor irregularities in the wall. The only preparation step is applying the primer. After the wall is primed, we forcefully spread the first layer of plaster over it - we get a dense coating (base). We wait until the first layer dries and apply the second. And so on up to 3 - 5 layers. After the last layer has dried, we sand the surface thoroughly with sandpaper and... the wall is ready!

Even such liquid wallpaper, which is wonderful in all respects, cannot be applied without first preparing the walls - plastering the walls under the wallpaper is simply necessary. Thus, we can conclude that without much experience in repair work, decorative plaster is still simpler, more convenient and much faster in terms of application.

Taken together, all of the above can be summarized:

Decorative plaster is a more durable material, less susceptible to wear and mechanical damage, the variety of colors and methods of applying plaster is almost endless (unlike wallpaper that has a specific design) and here your imagination can really run wild! With a relatively small difference in price, plaster is superior to wallpaper in all other respects - it is stronger and more reliable, easier to apply and maintain, and much more interesting in design.

The final decision always remains only with you, but personally, when I was doing repairs in my
apartment, from the variety of wallpapers and types of decorative plaster, I chose Venetian plaster for myself.

I can wish you to do right choice and not regret your decision later. Remember that when choosing finishing materials you spend your money, your time and your nerves, and at such costs you want the choice made once to be final!!!

Very often, during a cosmetic renovation, a rather difficult question arises: what type of decorative decoration for walls should be preferred? On modern market There is a very wide range of materials intended for interior decoration.

The most popular in recent years are wallpaper - a classic that has not become outdated over the years, and a fairly new group of materials, collectively known as “decorative plaster”. So what is preferable for decorating the walls of an apartment - decorative plaster or wallpaper?

Types and features of material

Both wallpaper and decorative plaster are just collective designations for two large groups of finishing materials.

They can differ significantly from each other both in their technical specifications, and by appearance, therefore, you should look in more detail at how this or that type of wallpaper or plaster differs from its “brothers”.

Plaster solutions

Decorative mixtures will help create a beautiful finish

For the most part, decorative plaster compositions are sold only in white. They are tinted already at the time of preparing the solution, as needed, in one color or another.

Decorative plaster. Decorative plaster mixtures are compositions intended for finishing walls. They can be classified according to several criteria. First of all, these are differences in composition - binding components and fillers.
Mineral or cement. Such plaster mixtures are made on the basis of cement. They are classified as textured, that is, the decorative effect in this case is achieved by imparting relief using various devices - texture rollers, grouts, smoothers, etc.
Plaster. Compared to cement compositions, gypsum compositions are more plastic, which makes them easier to work with. They use gypsum as a binding component. The “lifetime” of such solutions is limited. The filler in them is fine-grained sand, so the treated surface is smoother and glossier.
Silicate and polymer. Modern mixtures prepared using the most advanced technologies differ like cement mortars highly resistant to aggressive external influences, but at the same time quite flexible.

Silk blends include silk fibers

Based on their decorative features, decorative plaster compositions can be divided into the following groups.

Textural, aka structural. It includes fillers of various sizes, as a result, after application and smoothing, unique relief patterns appear on the wall surface. Depending on the application technique and the tools used for this, the surface topography can change in the most unpredictable and unique way.
Silk. Silk plaster includes, among other components, small fibers of natural silk. Silk plaster is leveled without a relief pattern, and the decorative effect is achieved thanks to silk veins penetrating the plaster layer.
With stone chips. Contains crushed crumbs of granite, marble, basalt, and elite mixtures and crumbs of semi-precious stones: jasper, lapis lazuli, malachite, jade, etc. When applied, the result is a surface strewn with multi-colored stone chips.
Venetian. It is the most expensive and difficult to apply decorative plaster. It contains powdered particles of natural marble. After treatment with Venetian plaster, the wall becomes like a monolithic marble slab.

Wallpaper

Vinyl and non-woven wallpaper can imitate various decorative surfaces

The wallpapers presented on our market are no less diverse.

They have different operational and technical characteristics, and the differences between them are due to the material from which they are made.

The most common types of wallpaper today are:

Liquid wallpaper is often also called “Danish decorative plaster,” which creates some confusion when choosing a material for wall decoration.

Comparison of two materials

Vapor-permeable coating will prevent the formation of dampness

It is impossible to give a categorical answer to the question “which is better: wallpaper or decorative plaster” offhand. This requires an “integrated approach”, a comparison of positive and negative qualities each group of materials.

To find out whether the plaster has how decorative finishing for walls, an advantage over wallpaper, let’s compare them according to a number of the most important indicators. These criteria show how finishing material meets the comfort and safety requirements for people living in the premises.

Vapor permeability

Non-woven fabrics are “breathable”

Based on this criterion, an equal sign can be placed between the two materials. Both groups contain both materials that allow the walls to “breathe” and those that are completely airtight.

The first include paper, non-woven and liquid wallpaper, as well as plaster and cement-based plaster solutions. Materials that do not allow steam and air to pass out - all vinyl-coated wallpaper and polymer plasters with a latex base.

If the home owners are going to decorate the room with such materials, then they should take care in advance about installing an effective ventilation system.

Price

Even the most inexpensive plasters will be more expensive than wallpaper

Wallpaper undoubtedly holds the crown in terms of affordability.

Even the most inexpensive varieties of decorative plaster will cost much more than wallpaper from the highest price segment.

In this case, most often the choice looks like this: “liquid wallpaper or decorative plaster.”

According to calculations, a square meter of wall covered with simple textured plaster, not to mention “Venetian”, will cost several times more than a square covered with liquid wallpaper.

Resistance to external influences

According to this indicator, all types of plaster mortars are beyond competition. Any external influences- abrasion, impacts, scratches, ultraviolet radiation - they tolerate better than wallpaper. No wonder the service life of plastered walls ranges from 30 (cement) to 60 years (silicone).

The service life of wallpaper rarely exceeds 10 - 15 years. After this period, they need to be changed, since it is no longer possible to revive their original qualities.

Ease of use

Decorative plaster is a more capricious material than wallpaper. In order to decorate a wall with high-quality decorative plaster, you need to have considerable experience in the field of finishing work. This is especially true for such a complex variety as the “Venetian”. For more information about the technology of applying decorative mixtures, watch this video:

For most people doing renovations for the first time in their lives, wallpapering does not present any difficulties.

Resistance to high humidity

In humid conditions, plaster behaves much better than paper wallpaper

If it is necessary to decorate walls in damp rooms, it is strictly not recommended to use wallpaper. Even moisture-resistant types such as vinyl sheets, according to the manufacturer, will not last long in a bathroom or sauna. Dampness getting into the joints of the canvases will soon do its job, and they will fall off the base.

Liquid wallpaper will not withstand even a day in such an environment. It is true that among plaster compositions there are hydrophobes. These are gypsum mixtures that have the ability to absorb moisture and collapse under its influence.

Cement and polymer plaster mixtures show the greatest resistance to dampness.

Easy to care for

There is no clear opinion on this criterion.

On the one hand, decorative plasters are more resistant to wet cleaning using household chemicals and abrasive cleaners, but, on the other hand, removing dirt and dust from the cavities of textured plaster can cause significant problems.

The simplest in this sense are planes plastered with “Venetian” and moisture-resistant vinyl wallpaper. For more information about what to choose, watch this video:

As you can see, both compared sides have undeniable advantages, as well as disadvantages, therefore, before choosing one or another material, you should decide on the parameters of the room. This is the only way you can choose the most suitable material for it.