New settlers and people starting renovations often ask themselves the question: "Is non-woven wallpaper harmful?" To understand this issue, you will first have to understand what this finishing material consists of, what types of it exist.
Types of wallpaper
There are simply non-woven (fibrous or celluloid) rolls. They are made from cellulose fibers and filled with special additives. The same material, only without fillers, is used when sewing belts, collars and other items of clothing. Polymers that hold them together are added to the finishing materials. The result is a pleasant-to-touch, velvety non-woven wallpaper. Are they harmful? Absolutely not. They are perfectly permeable to both steam and air, i.e. "Breathe". They cannot mask irregularities on the wall or large chips, but they hide microcracks well. Such wallpapers do not bubble or wrinkle when they are smeared with special glue. It is usually sold in the same place as the finishing material. They do not deform from such glue, and form a durable and beautiful coating on the wall. They have a small drawback: dust can accumulate between the fibers, which can be easily removed with a vacuum cleaner. In especially sensitive people, it is this glue that can cause allergies, however, as well as the simplest glue with which paper is glued. Celluloid rolls are produced already with a pattern. Their canvas texture can be different, which makes it possible to "play" with the space of the room.
The price of ordinary non-woven wallpaper is much different from the cost of paper, but the quality is many times superior. There are their prices lower than those described above. The secret is simple: these wallpapers are covered with vinyl and are considered a budget option. They are thinner because their base is thinner. Yes, these wallpapers are also diverse and beautiful. But if the question of whether non-woven wallpaper is harmful is attributed to them, then the answer will be unequivocal: yes. Vinyl is a chemical material.
It evaporates formaldehydes into space, which lead to the development of allergies, diseases of the nervous and vascular systems, headaches, etc. This is already enough to understand: non-woven wallpaper coated with latex is harmful. They also do not allow air, moisture, steam to pass through. The air in rooms with such a coating can become excessively humid, moisture sometimes collects on the walls, which also does not add any health benefits.
Why reviews are different
Often buyers and people who receive information from the Internet ask: "Why do many manufacturers deny that non-woven wallpaper is harmful?" You can answer with the question: "Which manufacturer will scold his product?" Today, many "abusive" and laudatory reviews on the Internet are written at the request of competing companies. There is little truth in them. How harmful non-woven wallpaper is, you can determine by reading their composition on the package. If the composition contains only cellulose fibers and fillers, such coatings can be bought without a doubt: they will not do any harm. If the name or composition of the wallpaper contains the words "vinyl", "formaldehyde" or other chemical terms, it is better to postpone such an acquisition.
When buying wallpaper for residential premises, consumers, first of all, think about their environmental characteristics. Indeed, at the moment there are a huge number of unscrupulous manufacturers who make wallpaper from insufficient quality and reliable materials.
In addition, if your family has a small child, the issue of safety is the most important issue when choosing wall covering options.
As vinyl wallpaper gains in popularity, consumers are starting to wonder why are they sufficiently environmentally friendly and harmless to human health? Let's figure it out.
Dangerous properties
When it comes to the safety of vinyl wallpaper, it usually means two main aspects:
- how clean the materials used in their manufacture are;
- how safe are the vinyl wallpaper itself during operation, depending on various external factors.
In order to find out the answer to the question of whether vinyl wallpaper is harmful, you need to familiarize yourself with the information on their composition. You've probably heard that vinyl wallpaper consists of two main layers: the inner layer is paper or, a external is vinyl, or polyvinyl chloride, in scientific terms.
As a rule, it is this name that confuses consumers, because it is a complex chemical compound, and, therefore, may be unsafe for human health.
In fact, this material does have several negative characteristics, however, they are not critical for our health. The peculiarity of polyvinyl chloride is that it fairly durable material that does not allow moisture, steam and air to pass through.
Such properties provide ease of care for vinyl wallpaper(cleaning and removing dust), but interferes with air exchange in your room. Due to this, unwanted microorganisms and fungi can develop under the inner layer of the wallpaper, which can lead to various diseases. This is where the main harm of vinyl wallpaper.
Hazardous components in their composition can not only worsen your well-being, but also lead to various diseases, including allergies to vinyl wallpaper.
Remember! The cheaper the vinyl wallpaper you purchase, the more likely it is to have characteristics that could be harmful to human health.
If you are seriously thinking about whether vinyl wallpapers are harmful or not, then we advise you to pay attention to the peculiarities of their production and labeling of rolls when buying. Most safe vinyl wallpapers are brands from European manufacturers, because it is in these countries that there is increased control over the observance of international quality standards.
Some manufacturers (Germany, France and others) include various antifungal components, which provides them with additional reliability and the possibility of using in rooms with high levels of humidity, for example, in a bathroom.
A feature of inexpensive vinyl wallpaper is lack of ability to circulate air, in other words, they do not allow your walls to "breathe", but at the moment, some manufacturers produce types of wallpaper, which include a special material with micropores, due to which vinyl wallpaper can pass air.
In addition, the air circulation in the room directly depends on the type of material from which the walls are made: as a rule, in city apartments the walls are made of a material that is initially unable to pass air (concrete, reinforcement), and, therefore, even when using breathable wallpaper, you will not be able to provide air circulation to the full.
Another risk to human health and well-being is the fact that vinyl wallpaper contains formaldehyde, which, when evaporated, is quite harmful, and the weathering process itself is quite long and can last for several years.
However, some experts studying this issue argue that the volumes of the evaporated substance are insignificant in order to cause serious damage.
In order for vinyl wallpapers to be strong, durable, and also attractive to buyers, they use a large number of plasticizers, stabilizers, dyes and other chemicals, which can also affect the negative assessment of consumers.
But, you must admit that these elements surround us from all sides and are found in almost any interior item, nevertheless, this does not prevent us from continuing to use them.
How to minimize damage from use?
In order for the harm caused by vinyl wallpaper to be minimal, we recommend that you follow several procedures when purchasing and using them:
- when buying vinyl wallpaper, be sure to pay attention to their composition, manufacturer, and availability of eco-label... Do not buy wallpaper that has a minimum cost - the lower it is, the greater the risk that you will regret your choice;
- so that vinyl wallpaper will serve you for a long time, but at the same time do not harm your health and the health of your child, periodically exercise it external cleaning with detergents;
- in order to solve the problem of periodic evaporation of harmful substances, we advise you as much as possible ventilate the room more often and, if possible, install special ventilation devices.
Read on for what is best to use: A detailed overview of materials for soundproofing.
Read about soundproofing materials for the ceiling - all the secrets and subtleties of soundproofing are described in detail.
Vinyl wallpaper is harmful to health if used improperly., so it's best to stick to these rules. If you are unable to carry out these procedures, but you are worried about the safety of vinyl wallpaper, we recommend that you do not glue them in living quarters or rooms where a large number of people are constantly.
As soon as the range of wallpapers in our country ceased to be limited to paper ones, everyone with great pleasure began to paste over the rooms with spectacular novelties. Silk-screen printing, vinyl wallpaper, glass wallpaper, photo wallpaper, washable wallpaper, non-woven wallpaper ...
Having received the opportunity to decorate their home with luxurious finishes, few people paid attention to the impact on health of certain types of wallpaper. Over time, the excitement subsided and the general public finally became interested in the safety of this beautiful material.
Particular attention is paid to non-woven wallpaper. Are they as harmful as some sources claim, or is it just a biased opinion based on unverified rumors?
Let's begin with that non-woven wallpaper comes in 2 types... The first is a non-woven base with a vinyl covering. The second is structured paintable wallpaper. First, let's find out the safety level of vinyl-coated wallpaper.
Vinyl-coated non-woven wallpaper - dangerous or not?
Non-woven base is a non-woven material made of textile and cellulose fibers, interconnected by a special polymer. Non-woven fabric is very thin, soft and durable. It is absolutely safe for health and is widely used even in the clothing industry.
Foamed vinyl is applied on top of the base through a special stencil. The result is a wallpaper with a three-dimensional pattern on one side and completely smooth on the inside. They are very effective, but, unfortunately, they are far from safe. It's all about the vinyl layer.
- Firstly, it practically does not allow air to pass through, so the room turns into a hermetically sealed room. Accordingly, the concentration of carbon dioxide increases, and the air itself becomes musty and stale.
- Secondly, low-quality vinyl wallpaper is toxic. They give off dangerous substances called formaldehydes. Being indoors for a long time, a person can get serious poisoning and a whole bunch of chronic diseases.
- Thirdly, under such wallpaper, mold and mildew begin to grow. Spores that enter the air can cause not only severe allergies, but also provoke serious respiratory diseases.
- Fourthly, a lot of dust accumulates on the relief surface. Such wallpaper is an excellent "dust collector" and is especially dangerous for allergy sufferers and asthmatics.
Does this mean that this type of non-woven wallpaper is definitely harmful? Yes and no.
The fact is that some wallpapers are covered with a special "breathable" vinyl... There are micropores in it, so they are able to let air through. On the other hand, it is very difficult to find them, and they are an order of magnitude higher than ordinary non-woven wallpaper. The difficulty also lies in the fact that outwardly wallpaper with micropores does not differ from its harmful counterparts. Therefore, when buying, it remains to rely on the good faith of the manufacturer and the honesty of the seller.
Regarding non-woven wallpaper covered with regular vinyl - the manufacturers themselves do not recommend using them in children's rooms and bedrooms... But they are ideal for decorating corridors and hallways. And we are talking about high-quality (!) Products that have a certificate and eco-label.
Inexpensive wallpaper on a non-woven basis is definitely harmful. By gluing a room with them, you will seriously jeopardize your own health and the health of your loved ones. But if you did not resist the temptation and acquired them, use these tips:
- ventilate the room every day in the morning and in the evening;
- once a week, wipe the walls with a damp cloth - from dust;
- do not wallpaper the kitchen and bathroom - in humid and hot air, the release of toxins increases significantly;
- never glue non-woven wallpaper in the nursery!
Allergy sufferers and asthmatics should refrain from purchasing any vinyl-coated non-woven wallpaper.
Harmless and practical
Now about structured non-woven paintable wallpaper.
The canvas of such wallpaper consists of 2 layers of non-woven fabric, and the pattern is applied by rolling through rollers (rolling). Thanks to this method, the relief appears both on the front and on the seamy side. Textured non-woven wallpaper is extremely durable - it is very difficult to tear them apart with your hands.
These wallpapers are definitely safe and will not do any harm. Naturally, subject to their originality and if you choose a good paint. They have only one drawback - they cost a lot.
To make a good repair, to the envy of neighbors, you need to competently, while choosing high-quality and safe materials, if it is wallpaper, then they should not adversely affect a person's well-being. Manufacturers offer a variety of options to choose from for any wallet. It is worth noting that in the manufacture of cheap and low-quality wallpaper, human health will be damaged accordingly, since the production technology is not always followed.
Non-woven wallpaper production
To understand whether non-woven wallpaper is harmful to the body, it is worth looking at their production, what constituent components manufacturers use. The composition of the wallpaper has a unique production technology. People preparing for the renovation want to make the decoration of the apartment more beautiful and more practical, therefore they choose non-woven wallpaper, even if they are unhealthy. If ordinary paper wallpapers are less practical and are made of cellulose, which is located in a chaotic manner, then non-woven wallpapers consist of carefully laid and then pressed fibers. Outwardly, you might think that there is a semblance of fabric on the wall, but in fact this is a cunning idea of the manufacturers. For a visually chic and rich interior effect, polymer and viscose fibers are added during the manufacturing process, in addition, they can be impregnated with glue or a special strengthening compound.
In fact, non-woven fabric was not intended for creating paper canvases, since it was originally used in shoe workshops. The main advantage of the material is that it has a non-deformable reinforcing base, which attracted the interest of wallpaper manufacturers. And shoe manufacturers used the material as a lining in the garment and textile industry.
Cons for consumers
Despite the advantages of non-woven wallpaper, consumer reviews also speak of its shortcomings. Cons of using non-woven wallpaper:
- The high cost in the total cost of finishing the rooms;
- Easily damaged;
- Non-moisture resistant material;
- In case of fire, the substance formaldehyde is released, which is harmful to the general condition of the body;
- Dust can accumulate in the pores of decorative wallpaper options.
Danger to humans
When choosing a reliable wallpaper manufacturer, there is no need to doubt the quality and safety of its products, since only cheap analogs can cause real harm to human life. You can be skeptical about the issue of danger, but there are irrefutable facts that indicate its presence. The material vinyl has a not so high ignition temperature, from 160 to 200 degrees, but at the slightest fire, everything will quickly catch fire and formaldehyde, the most dangerous element of the composition of this material, will be released.
The texture of the material is such that it can be dangerous for allergy sufferers, due to its porous composition, since dust can accumulate in the pores, mold or condensation can occur. But world-renowned manufacturers are trying to avoid such nuances by creating special micropores in the upper layer, which increase air penetration and prevent the accumulation of large amounts of moisture. When drawing with paint, its quality in cheaper analogs can also be questioned, there is a possibility of using particles of heavy metals such as zinc and copper in its manufacture. Paint applied to wallpaper can release harmful substances into the environment. When buying wallpaper, they should not smell like acetone or turpentine. The presence of an unpleasant odor indicates non-compliance with the production technology.
Scrupulousness when choosing wallpaper will not be superfluous, since wallpaper manufacturers with a worldwide reputation must comply with all product quality standards, conducting inspections before releasing products to the consumer market. The seller in the store must have a certificate of conformity and a sanitary-epidemiological conclusion. Non-woven wallpaper can be harmful if moisture accumulates in them and the formation of a fungus, which will negatively affect the well-being of people with respiratory tract disease, asthma.
Is there any alternative
Manufacturers of finishing materials have not yet found an alternative to non-woven wallpaper, since the latter are durable and easy to clean. Even when the temperature changes, they clearly do not react, belonging to the class of nonwovens. Due to the unique composition of non-woven fabric, it is used in the manufacture of packaging and medical material. The strength is significantly higher than that of paper, thus it does not shrink when it is clearly wet. Such wallpapers can perfectly hide the imperfections of the walls and visible cracks, in addition, they are durable and wear-resistant. The structure is designed by manufacturers so that they can be dyed to suit any taste, but the number of pores does not decrease from this.
Basic selection rules
If you decide to start a repair, you should ask in advance about materials from well-known and trusted manufacturers so as not to get a pig in a poke. What you should pay attention to:
- a real genuine material should have a dense, solid structure that is difficult to just pick out with a fingernail;
- without fail, the seller of the product must have documents confirming the quality and certification;
- markings for various purposes applied to the wallpaper will be the guarantor of the authenticity of the product;
- before buying such products, you should know that they are dangerous for allergy sufferers and people with upper respiratory tract problems.
With the expansion of the range of building materials, the buyer was faced with an alternative choice. When purchasing wallpaper for a room, you need to choose between vinyl, non-woven, textile and, for example, cork. The assortment is large, in contrast to the market of finishing materials of the Soviet period, when there were simple paper wallpapers in two colors on display cases. Today, a popular covering is non-woven wallpaper. Are they harmful or is it dishonest PR in favor of other types of coverage, you need to figure it out.
Non-woven - the basis of wallpaper
At the heart of modern non-woven wallpaper, according to manufacturers, there is non-woven, which consists of cellulose fibers joined by a polymer. By its texture, it is not paper or fabric. But the presence of cellulose in the non-woven structure makes the composite material paper-like.
Non-woven wallpapers, the price of which is justified by their properties, are two-layer and are of two types. In the first case, it is interlining with paper on which the drawing is applied. The second, more popular, manufacturing method is when the non-woven material acts as a base for vinyl wallpaper. The packaging of such wallpapers must have a sign of the presence of vinyl. This condition is necessary to further answer the question: "Non-woven wallpaper is harmful or not?"
Properties
Types of vinyl covering
There are several types of PVC covering on non-woven wallpaper: silk-screened, hard, smooth and foamed. Each type has its own characteristics.
A stylish solution will be silk-screen wallpaper for the room. Visually, they imitate the texture of silk fabric. The foamed decorative coating has a volumetric surface, which allows manufacturers to stylize them like granite, marble, ceramic tiles. High density is characteristic of PVC hardcover wallpaper. A simple medium-weight wallpaper is non-woven wallpaper with a smooth vinyl surface.
The advantages of having a non-woven fabric
Non-woven wallpaper for walls has many advantages, but the most important thing is the simplicity of their gluing. If earlier, to decorate the walls with simple paper wallpaper, it was necessary to carry out a bunch of auxiliary operations: smear the walls, wallpaper with glue, do all this quickly, until the glue dries, now, choosing non-woven wallpaper, you can simplify your life. It is enough to apply glue to the wall / ceiling and spread and level the pliable material over the surface.
The absence of air bubbles, folds during the gluing process - this is a positive quality of non-woven wallpaper is achieved due to their thickness. This is another plus when preparing walls. With slight surface irregularities, due to the dense texture of the wallpaper and volumetric patterns, all the imperfections are hidden on them.
In the decoration of the premises, a new trend was set by non-woven wallpaper for painting. Thanks to this property, it is possible to change the color palette of the room more than once. And the original visual effects make the material popular among buyers. When painting wallpaper, it is necessary to take into account the fact that the joints between the strips of material must be without glue. Hence the disadvantage emerges - the observance of clean joints when gluing.
Non-woven wallpaper: are they harmful or not?
Quite often, information about the dangers of non-woven wallpaper is reported from various information sources. Non-woven in itself is harmless, this is even evidenced by the fact of its use in the sewing industry to shape individual elements of clothing.
Low-quality materials can be harmful to humans: glue, paint that is applied to the wallpaper, and the wallpaper itself from non-certified manufacturers. In this case, chemical vapors contained in building materials are dangerous.
The harm to non-woven wallpaper was attributed to vinyl, which, when a fire breaks out, releases hazardous substances. And if you think about it: is the fire itself good? You can just choke on carbon monoxide. Modern premises often contain pieces of furniture, appliances and finishing materials made of polymer plastic, dyes, which are also very harmful during a fire. But man does not refuse these comforts.
It turns out that non-woven wallpaper is harmful under certain conditions, and even then not all, but only those on which vinyl is applied.
The opinion is also refuted that mold and mildew appear under the non-woven wallpaper. Certified products meet the declared standards, so the probability of damaging walls is the same as under other finishing building materials.
Right choice
The more offers on the market, the more fakes you can find. In order to avoid low-quality material, you need to know a few rules.
The conformity mark "Eurostandard 15102", which has been in effect since 2011, is applied to products that comply with European standards for wallpaper. The DER BLAUE ENGEL mark in the form of a blue circle confirms the environmental friendliness of the product. A flower in the form of a circle of blue stars with a Є sign also confirms the environmental friendliness of the product in accordance with European standards.
It is necessary to verify the manufacturer's certificate, which can be obtained from the seller, with the label on the roll. The information must match.
You can also physically check the quality of the wallpaper. To do this, you need to break a piece of material in half and see the cut. It must have a wavy structure, otherwise it is ordinary paper wallpaper.
Non-woven wallpaper: reviews
A positive opinion about non-woven wallpaper can be heard both from the repair team and from the customers themselves.
What is important for builders is working with flexible material. The price for gluing wallpaper is calculated per square meter, therefore, without losing their earnings, contractors in less time cope with surface finishing when using non-woven tapestries.
A quality result is important to both parties to the construction agreement. Reviews about gluing wallpaper on a non-woven basis are approving, since the result is excellent: all the irregularities of the walls are hidden; there are no defects on the canvas itself, and besides, the color palette is individually selected.
For non-woven wallpaper, the price varies from 900 rubles to 40 thousand. The budget option is a smooth texture, the roll size is 0.5x10 m. Expensive models are wallpaper with embossed dressing and exclusive patterns. The roll of such wallpaper is non-standard and is 4x3 m.