Should I paint the walls with latex paint or put up wallpaper?

When choosing wall decoration materials, many owners are a bit hesitant: they like the rich patterns of wallpapers, but also think that latex paint offers better value for money. Which decoration suits them better? Reporters recently interviewed relevant people and compared these two types of wall decoration materials in terms of decoration effect, price, etc.

Decoration Effect: Wallpaper is superior

In the decoration building materials market, you can see a wide variety of wallpaper colors, including light elegant plain colors, hidden patterns, country flowers, grids, cartoons, and more series with dozens of styles.

Ms. Wang, a designer from Pengcheng Qiaojian Shenzhen Decoration Company, believes: "Wallpaper patterns are rich, fashionable, and the style changes endlessly. After laying, the whole room obviously upgrades a level, playing a finishing touch role, making the living space appear more high-end and tasteful." "Wallpaper can not only decorate walls but also soften them, just like a piece of fashion in the home, pleasing to the eye."

In contrast, wall paint, i.e., latex paint, has rich colors. Although various art coatings have been introduced recently, they can only change in color or texture. Therefore, in terms of decoration effect, wallpaper undoubtedly takes the lead.

Price Comparison: Wall paint offers higher cost-effectiveness

During renovation, more families choose latex paint as their wall decoration material, one reason being that latex paint is affordable and offers better value for money compared to wallpaper.

It is understood that the price of mid-range latex paint is about 25 yuan per square meter. If choosing higher-quality premium latex paint, it costs around 40-50 yuan per square meter. However, the market price of wallpaper is significantly higher. Mid-range wallpaper costs 70-80 yuan per square meter, while premium wallpaper costs 200-300 yuan per square meter. It can be seen that, in comparison, wall paint offers higher cost-effectiveness and is more suitable for mass consumption.

"Wallpaper comes in both imported and domestic varieties. The price difference between domestic and imported wallpaper ranges from dozens to hundreds of yuan, with some premium imported wallpapers priced at over a thousand yuan per square meter." The reason why wallpaper prices are higher than wall paint is not only due to differences in raw materials, technology, and craftsmanship, but also because wallpaper contains an artistic creation component. A good wallpaper requires meticulous design by designers, including field research, contemplation, and conception, to create exquisite patterns and colors, which goes beyond simple color mixing.

Currently, in the home decoration market, latex paint still holds the dominant position among wall decoration materials, while wallpaper is more commonly used in hotels and guesthouses. Compared to wallpaper, affordability and good value for money are undoubtedly the biggest advantages of latex paint.

Construction Operation: Both wallpaper and wall paint have their own advantages

Due to improvements in technology, applying wallpaper has become relatively simple. If you want to replace the wallpaper, just cut a slit with a small knife blade on the old wallpaper, and the entire sheet can be peeled off. Owners who are willing to do it themselves can easily operate it. Of course, professional wallpaper installation workers can also be hired for a certain labor fee.

The construction of latex paint is also very convenient. Owners can brush it themselves. Construction tools are easy to purchase and can be reused after being washed clean with water. In addition, latex paint dries quickly, and the construction period is short. Under suitable climatic conditions, sometimes the painting work can be completed on the same day. Therefore, in terms of construction operations, wallpaper and wall paint can be said to have their own advantages, evenly matched.

Usage Performance: Both materials have their pros and cons

As a wall decoration material for family use, owners first consider whether it is durable, convenient, and easy to maintain. In this aspect, the performance of wallpaper is better than wall paint. Good quality wallpaper has a waterproof film on its surface, so if it gets dirty, it can be wiped with a damp cloth, detergent, and a soft-bristled brush, which is very convenient. On the other hand, latex paint walls cannot achieve this easily.

Moreover, wallpaper also has crack-preventing functions, capable of concealing tiny cracks that may appear on the wall surface. Therefore, after applying wallpaper, wall cracking will not occur unless the wall itself cracks; whereas walls painted with latex paint will show varying degrees of cracking after several years of use, especially during dry seasons.

However, considering Shenzhen's climate, latex paint shows its superiority. Based on years of renovation experience, the head of a Shenzhen decoration company believes: "After spring every year in Shenzhen, there will be a long period of humid weather. Wallpaper is prone to edge lifting, falling off, or mold growth, whereas latex paint does not exhibit these phenomena." Therefore, the performance advantages of latex paint are more suitable for Shenzhen's climate.

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