Wall paint vs. wallpaper: which is a better option for your commercial property?

Wall surface preparation: which method requires more preparation?

Downtime is a major disruptor for commercial properties that need to be open to do business. Downtime can completely alter what seemed like a solid plan from the outset. For example, if your project involves removing old wallpaper, which is a time-intensive task, you need to consider this before you move forward.

But it’s not only wallpapering that requires extensive prepwork. If you plan on painting your property but there are numerous areas that need to be repaired before primer and paint can be applied, you’re also going to have to factor that into your timeline. When it comes to which process takes longer – preparing walls for paint or for wallpaper – it almost always takes longer to prep walls for paper.

Wall preparation for painting

Depending on the condition of your walls, the preparation carried out prior to painting can include everything from filling in small nail holes to repairing large holes and missing drywall. It can include a cold water or hot water wash or even ice blasting if there is a significant buildup of organic material. Some jobs require the use of a solvent to wash off grease and grime, and other jobs will require sandblasting.

Professional painters will also ensure that all electrical conduits and control boxes are not exposed during the prep process and all areas that could potentially be splattered with cleaning solution or paint are covered before the prep work and painting begins. At Painters Inc., we take the preparation process extremely seriously.

Wall preparation for wallcovering

Before beginning a wallcovering project, most contractors will take great pains to ensure the surfaces are ready for application. This can include removing all switch plates and outlet plates, wall fixtures and any type of electrical obstacle. The surfaces must be clean and dry to ensure that there are no holes, dents or imperfections. If there is glossy or semi-gloss paint on the surfaces, they will need to be sanded/dulled to ensure the paper adheres properly.

Newly installed drywall will need to be wiped clean of dust for proper adhesion. The most important part of preparing for wallpaper is making sure the surface is clean and is structurally sound enough to accommodate the paper, which shrinks and contracts when it cures, putting stress on the walls. Your contractor will need to be especially diligent to these tasks before papering.

So, which one takes more time and effort? That really depends on the condition of the surfaces. However, all things being equal, there is usually more labor involved with preparing walls for wallpaper.

Appearance and variety options

One thing you don’t have to worry about when choosing paint or wallpaper is that there are many, many options in styles and colors for either. In most situations it’s a taste preference. However, your choice might also be dictated by the space you’re in. For example, if your space feels a bit cramped, you might opt for paint because utilizing the right tone of paint can make a space feel larger than it actually is. This is more difficult to achieve with wallpaper.

Fortunately, your choice in colors is almost limitless in paint and wallpaper, so if getting the right hue is important, you should be covered. You also must consider the sheen of your paint, which can be controlled by the amount of gloss in it. Similarly, wallpaper comes in vinyl, which can also provide that sheen you’re looking for.

Paint types and finishes

Given the dyes available today, your imagination is the only limit to what colors you can choose. But there is more than just color to consider. Let’s run through the various options you have available to you.

The many different paint types and finishes available:

Need assistance picking out the paint that will fit your needs? At Painters Inc., we’ve worked with all types. We know what will work in your space. We also consider your color preferences to make sure you’re 100 percent happy with the end result.

Types of wallpaper

It’s easy to go down a rabbit hole considering all the different types of wallpaper on the market today. From flowers to stripes, colors that make bold statements to more muted colors for a more discrete appeal – there is something for everyone. The following are some of the more popular options available today.

Types of wallpapers:

Obviously, there are many choices you can make. Need assistance choosing the right one for your spaces? Painters Inc. has a history of assisting customers with everything they need, and we can walk you through all your options.

Durability: which lasts longer - paint or wallpaper?

Durability is an important factor for clients that want to have their surfaces painted or hung with wallpaper and want it to last a long, long time. So, which has the most durability?

How durable is paint?

Paint is often recognized as a very durable option and likely the best option for areas that are prone to moisture, but paint doesn’t outlast the lifespan of wallpaper in most situations. Environment plays a big role in how long your paint will last. For example, you’d be more apt to paint bathrooms, which are subjected to a multitude of moisture, with a finishing sheen that helps to repel the water. Painting a bathroom with a matte or eggshell paint would produce less desirable longevity results.

Whether it’s just a fine layer of dust or something more substantial, like a stain, at some point you’re going to have to wipe down your walls and you don’t want to rub off your paint while doing so. Glossy and semi-gloss paint are the least likely to succumb to the pressure of scrubbing. A particularly stubborn stain on a matte finish will probably require “elbow grease” that can lead to the paint rubbing off. For this reason, it’s helpful to keep extra paint on hand so you can make touch-ups as needed.

How durable is wallpaper?

When taken care of, wallpaper can last 15 years or longer. That’s longer than most people will want to keep it, because as trends come and go, wallpaper can be switched out to match what’s relevant or just to provide a “change of scenery.” The good news is that in commercial applications, such as high traffic areas like restaurants and hospitals, recreational buildings and offices, wallpaper can hold up extremely well. The only caveat with wallpaper and its durability is that you should avoid hanging it in areas that receive excessive moisture.

It’s important to choose wisely when you have a contractor either paint or install wallpaper for you, because only the most reputable and trusted contractors will be able to do it in such a way that you get the most out of your choice. And all material types are vulnerable to collision, so if you have high-traffic areas in your home or business, the faster you can have repairs made to your surfaces, the longer they will last.

Maintenance: is it easier to clean paint or wallpaper?

In a perfect world, your surfaces would remain collision free and stain free, but accidents happen. The severity of your problem will depend on the type of paint or wallpaper you have on your surfaces. For example, your vinyl wallpaper is almost always washable, whereas your velvety flock wallpaper could be ruined when introduced to the right type of stain.

So, the more stylish you get with your wallpaper, the less able you will be to knock down dirt, grime and stains. Furthermore, your glossy paint is going to be much easier to clean than an eggshell or matte paint. As a rule of thumb, it’s almost always easier to clean paint than it is to clean wallpaper.

Paints cleaning

It is widely established that most paints are easier to clean than wallpaper, with the exception of textured paint where an aggregate is used, which can be quite difficult to clean compared to something with a sheen, such as a glossy finish. If you have areas of your property that are well traveled and you know they are prone to getting dirty, it is almost always advisable to paint these areas rather than wallpaper.

From easiest to clean to most difficult, the paint types would follow this order: Glossy, semi-gloss, eggshell finish, flat or matte finish. Take this into account when you plan your painting project and let your contractor know which areas get the most use and are at the most risk for becoming dirty.

Wallpapers cleaning

Cleaning wallpaper is more time consuming than cleaning paint. A vacuum with a soft bristle attachment can be used on wallpaper to remove dust and loose dirt, but it will take a different approach to getting stains out. There is a product called “wallpaper dough” that can be rolled across stains to lift them without damaging the wallpaper. Obviously, vinyl wallpaper is going to be easier to clean than flock or wallpaper with a significant amount of texture. In the end, it all comes down to how much traffic you get and your ability to maintain the paper as needed.

Expense: how much does it cost to paint and wallpaper walls?

The biggest consideration in determining cost, whether it’s wallpaper or paint, is the size of the work area. The next consideration is the complexity of the work area; if extensive lift systems are required, that could take more time for setup and to actually get the job completed, which only adds to the expense. However, when talking about the differences in price between paint and wallpaper, paint is the least costly of the two.

Regardless of which one you choose, always bring in a professional contractor with years of experience to do the job, because you will get the most value out of your project with experts doing the work.

How much do painters charge per square foot

The going rate in the Chicagoland area is around 74 cents per square foot for interior painting work. Exterior jobs generally require less prep and fine details, which can knock that price per square foot down to about 65 cents.

So, what are you paying for in each of those 74 cents per square foot, you ask? The bulk of it is going to be labor at roughly 60 cents per square foot. And labor is by far the most valuable component of the services you get from a professional contractor. Anybody can purchase the paints that experts use, as well as the materials that help them safely and efficiently apply the paint, but only the seasoned professionals are able to apply the paint in a way that lives up to exacting standards.

To determine the cost of your project, you could multiply 74 cents by the number of square feet in your facility. For example, you’ve got 4,000 square feet of surface area that requires painting, which would put you at $2,960. But you also have to factor in the complexities of the job. If your facility has a unique architecture that is difficult to maneuver, it will take more hours to physically apply the paint, which can increase the labor costs.

At Painters Inc., our thorough inspection will reveal the true cost of the project, which gives you an advantage when it comes to planning your project.

How much does wallpaper cost per square foot

It costs almost twice as much per square foot to install wallpaper. The industry average today is $1.35 per square foot. So, that same 4,000 square feet of area that could be painted for just under $3,000 would cost $5,400 to wallpaper.

Wallpaper is often a more labor-intensive material to work with, which adds to the expense. You will also pay more per square foot of wallpaper than you will for paint that will cover the same surface area. This helps to account for the drastic difference in cost.

In the end, it all comes down to value – we know our customers want the best outcome for the money and that’s something we’re proud to offer. Furthermore, we never hide any of our fees, which means when you get the final bill, there will be no surprises and definitely no sticker shock. Painters Inc. is competitively priced, yet we offer some of the finest services in Chicagoland.