Wallpaper vs. Painting- The Complete Comparison Guide
Wallpaper vs. Painting- The Complete Comparison Guide
By HomeAdvisor
Updated January 21, 2021
Is your living space looking a little tired or dated? Learn about the differences between a fresh coat of paint or application of wallpaper and which one is right for your home.
Wallpaper has gone in and out of style for centuries, but it’s always been a good choice to create an attractive design without permanently altering your walls.
You can easily take advantage of trends in interior decor like strong patterns or accent walls. Use a stylish pattern to make a wall pop with color or texture. That’s tough to achieve with another design treatment.
You can also choose from several different types of wallpaper to match your needs for appearance, ease of installation and environmental preferences.
Vinyl or vinyl coated:
Popular.
Easy to hang, clean and take down if needed
Comes in both rolls and solid sheets, as well as a wide range of colors and patterns.
Non-woven:
Long lasting
Breathable
Adds texture
Doesn’t use any vinyl but can be cleaned and installed almost as easily.
Printed:
Has flat, printed patterns.
Relief:
Has texture you can feel.
Pre-pasted:
Includes a layer of dry adhesive that you wet down to adhere without the need for glue.
Grasscloth:
Natural fibers with extreme levels of texture that provide a specialized look.
Harder to clean and install.
Non-traditional:
May include foil, cork or unbacked fabric for a specific look.
Painting walls never goes out of style. It’s an excellent way to bring color to a room, whether you use a flat, low-textured look or a patterned, raised paint technique. Choose from one of the many different types and finishes available:
Latex-based: Cleans up easily with soap and water.
Oil-based: Hard to clean up, but long lasting.
Textured: Uses additives for a range of textures; some types of application techniques make the surface more textured as well.
Flat: Does not reflect much light and may be harder to keep clean.
Eggshell: Has a slight sheen and is washable.
Semi-gloss: Has a moderate sheen and is very washable.
Gloss: Has a very shiny look and is very washable.
Wallpaper and paint each have their benefits, no matter which type or style you choose. This guide aims to provide answers about their differences and help you determine which is best.
Wallpaper
Paint
Colors & Designs
Wide range of designs.
Few solid colors.
Good for solid color.
Hard to create designs.
Textures
Many options available.
Only with special additives or application techniques.
Cost
Roll costs $15 to $30.
Gallon costs $15 to $50
Supplies will cost another $50.
Durability
Can last up to 15 years.
Can last 5 to 15 years with touch-ups.
Moisture Resistance
Can peel if used in moist areas.
Good choice for kitchens & bathrooms.
Installation
Challenging to hang and align properly.
Professionals charge $250 to $1,000 per room.
Relatively easy if using the right applicators.
Professionals charge $200 to $700 per room.
Removal
Can be pulled off in strips
Is sometimes very tough to remove.
Hard to remove
Usually just painted over.
DIY
Must match seams and align strips correctly.
Simple but prep work is time consuming.
Resale, ROI
No return on investment.
A new coat could allow you to recover costs.
Colors and Designs
Wallpaper
Pros
Endless pattern options.
Cons
Few solid colors available.
Paint
Pros
Can color match exactly.
Cons
Creating patterns or designs is possible but time consuming.
Widest variety of design options: Wallpaper
Textures
Wallpaper
Pros
Can be very smooth or highly textured. Relief papers have raised patterns that not only display nicely but can be felt when you run a hand over the wall surface.
Cons
Textured options are harder to adhere and will likely require professional installation.
Paint
Pros
Simple designs are easy to achieve with a stir-in additive. Special application techniques allow for more involved textures.
Cons
You can’t get very detailed.
Best design Variety: Wallpaper
Cost
Wallpaper
Costs between $15-$30 per quality roll; less expensive options start at $5.
Need fewer tools to prepare and install. A plastic smoother costs less than $5.
Higher-end brands cost up to $100 per roll.
Paint
Inexpensive at $15 per gallon.
High-end brands cost up to $50 per gallon.
Requires about $50 worth of supplies, including brushes, trays, rollers and cleaners.
You should be easily able to install wallpaper over painted walls. Glossy painted surfaces will need to be deglossed, usually with a course-grit sandpaper, to make the wallpaper adhesive stick properly.
For best results, follow the manufacturer’s guidelines as closely as possible and don’t skip any steps. It’s better to spend more time preparing than must remove installed paper and start over.
Can You Put Wallpaper on Textured Walls?
The exception to installing wallpaper on painted walls: Textured paint. The bumpy surface will prevent the wallpaper from sticking properly to the wall. You’ll need to remove the texture by:
Sanding for fine grit or scraping for more course finishes.
Applying a primer coat of paint to fill in holes and smooth the surface.
Letting the primer dry completely before installing wallpaper.
Painting Wallpaper
It is possible to paint over wallpaper, but only if the papered surface is perfect. If you see any bumps, bubbles or peeling surfaces, you won’t be able to paint over the wallpaper. These blemishes will show through on the painted wall.
Can You Paint Over Textured Walls?
Any texture below your paint will show up, and probably not in an attractive way. If you have textured wallpaper, it may need to be stripped before you can begin painting.
What’s the Difference Between Wallpaper Primer and Paint Primer?
Primer allows wallpaper or paint to adhere to the surface. Oil-based wallpaper primer can also hide a dark paint color beneath, help smooth a drywall surface and keep latex paint from getting soft when exposed to the wallpaper adhesive. Paint primer can also help hide darker colors and provide a smooth base but does not include any component to help the wallpaper adhere better.
How Long Does Wallpaper Last?
Wallpaper can last 15 years with proper installation and maintenance. Lower-quality wallpapers last as little as 5 years.
Which is Cheaper – Wallpaper or Paint?
The two are similar in cost:
Wallpaper – $15-$30 per roll
Paint – $15-$50 per gallon
Expect to pay an additional $50 for painting supplies. Professional installation is slightly less expensive for paint.
Is Wallpaper Better at Hiding Bad, Blemished Walls?
Hide badly blemished walls with wallpaper isn’t common because it can enhance imperfection or fail to adhere properly. You will have an easier time priming, applying a spray texture product to hide blemishes, and then painting a damaged wall. Ideally, you’ll scrape and prime the wall surface before applying any type of wall covering.
Does Removable Wallpaper Damage Paint?
Removable wallpaper is not supposed to damage paint, but it can dull the surface and make it look flat. Once you remove wallpaper, you will probably prefer to apply another coat of paint or new wallpaper.
Is Wallpapering Your Kitchen a Good Idea?
Wallpaper doesn’t perform well in moist areas like kitchens. It can be hard to clean if you splash or spill. Install a backsplash around sinks and behind stove areas to minimize getting the wallpaper surface wet or dirty. Consider using wallpaper on one wall of a well-ventilated kitchen as an accent rather than applying it throughout the room.
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