Embossed wallpaper presents homeowners and interior designers with an option that offers visual and tactile elements that are unachievable with flat wallpaper options. The raised nature of embossed wallpaper presents an immediate physical difference when running the hand across the wallpaper. Furthermore, these wallpaper option produce a sense of intentionality in a space due to the way that the light and shadow interact with the wallpaper’s raised elements.
Many people choose to use embossed wallpaper because it offers a degree of texture to the space without the necessity of installing more elaborate decor like wood paneling or plaster. Once individuals has seen embossed wallpaper at least once, they will typically spot it in various locations throughout the nation. For instance, embossed wallpapers have historically been used in Victorian homes, and they are also present in numerous moddern lofts.
In order to utilize embossed wallpaper to its full potential, an individual must understand the various types of embossed wallpaper available. Such an understanding will allow individuals to make informed decisions about which wallpaper to use in which spaces within the home. Many people might not realize that not all types of embossed wallpaper are created equally.
For instance, some types of wallpaper are more delicate than other. Delicate wallpaper might be appropriate for use in a bedroom, while other types of wallpaper can take up more abuse and might be more appropriate for a hallway with young children and dogs. The manufacturing process of the wallpaper, the materials used in the manufacturing process, and the depth of the embossing will all impact the type of wallpaper that is appropriate for specific spaces, and choosing the wrong type of wallpaper will result in regret later on when the wallpaper begins to wear down.
A walk through the various types of embossed wallpaper will provide individuals with an understanding of the characteristics of each type. With this knowledge, individuals will be able to make informed decisions about which type of wallpaper to choose over the others for specific areas in the home.
Common Types of Embossed Wallpaper to Use
1. Victorian Lincrusta Wallpaper
Victorian Lincrusta wallpaper is a type of wallpaper that originated well over a century ago.
Specifically, someone invented Lincrusta in the 1870s. The wallpaper was made with a mixture of linseed oil and wood pulp. Furthermore, two engraved steel rollers pressed the mixture to create the wallpaper. The patterns that were created with this wallpaper were often similar to the look of leather and wood.
Because the details on the wallpaper were relatively crisp, Lincrusta wallpaper could be painted and repainted multiple times over several decades. This type of wallpaper is appropriate for homeowners who desire a serious look for their dining room or entrance halls. The downside of using this wallpaper is the difficulty of installing it properly.
Because the wallpaper was made of a relatively rigid material, the wall beneath the wallpaper must be perfectly smooth. However, once installed, it becomes a part of the building itself.
2. Anaglypta Wallpaper
Anaglypta wallpaper was developed as a response to some of the issues with Lincrusta wallpaper.
The wallpaper is made from cotton and wood pulp rather than linseed oil. This allows the wallpaper to be relatively light and flexible. Anaglypta wallpaper will be easier to install on walls that are not perfectly smooth to the touch.
Furthermore, the embossing for Anaglypta is relatively shallow in comparison to Lincrusta. However, the embossing on the Anaglypta will still catch the light beautifully, especially when the wallpaper is painted with high gloss or metallic finishes. This type of wallpaper is best used in family rooms or in landings for the stairs.
Landlords have predominantly used this type of wallpaper for rental properties for the same reason that it is relatively easy to install on uneven walls. However, the downside is that the fine designs on the Anaglypta wallpaper can begin to crush if too much effort is placed into scrubbing the wallpaper many years after it was installed.
3. Duplex Embossed Paper
Another type of wallpaper is known as Duplex embossed paper.
This wallpaper is relatively old and was used in both Victorian homes and modern homes built today. This type of wallpaper features two layers of paper bonded together before being embossed. The definition of the Duplex wallpaper is somewhere between the definition of Anaglypta and the Lincrusta wallpaper.
Many of the designs for Duplex wallpaper have featured damask swirls, fleur de lis, and various other geometric designs. This wallpaper was used in both old homes being restored to their original look and in modern homes that use muted colors for their walls. If you want a wallpaper that is luxurius while being easier to install than Lincrusta wallpaper, this is the Duplex wallpaper that should be used.
The downside to this wallpaper is that it is not the strongest in terms of resistance to damage from high traffic areas in the home.
4. Blown Vinyl Wallpaper
Another type of wallpaper is known as Blown vinyl wallpaper. This wallpaper is also referred to as vinyl foam or expanded vinyl wallpaper.
Heating the vinyl creates the embossing to allow the vinyl to expand, thus allowing the wallpaper to become soft to the touch when pressed against an individual’s skin. This type of wallpaper has become the dominant wallpaper choice for renters’ apartments and for family homes. This is due to the scuff resistance of vinyl wallpaper.
Furthermore, you can wipe it down with a damp cloth to clean the walls. The patterns for blown vinyl wallpaper are relatively subtle compared to other types of wallpaper. Therefore, this wallpaper choice is appropriate for homeowners looking to minimize the visual drama of the wallpaper in their home.
However, if too much effort is placed into buffing the vinyl wallpaper with a very shiny paint finish, the wallpaper might lose some of its visual appeal over time.
5. Woodchip Wallpaper
One of the more popular types of wallpaper is Woodchip wallpaper. Woodchip wallpaper contains small chips of wood that are added to the wallpaper pulp prior to creating the wallpaper.
This produces an embossed wallpaper that looks like bark. Furthermore, the bark-like wallpaper covers any bumps or protrusions on the walls beneath it. The embossing for woodchip wallpaper is random rather than using a specific design.
This type of wallpaper produces a quiet, organic feel to the room. This type of wallpaper is perfect for adding texture to minimalist furniture arrangements or for Scandinavian style homes. Woodchip wallpaper is a good choice for home offices or guest bedrooms in the home.
The challenge with installing this type of wallpaper is that the woodchip wallpaper will absorb the paint quite heavily. Therefore, homeowners must apply an extra coat or two of paint to achieve the desired look. The result will be a velvety, warm wallpaper.
The downside of installing woodchip wallpaper is that it is impossible to remove it from the wall once the paint has dried.
6. Fiberglass Embossed Wallpaper
Another variety of wallpaper includes Fiberglass embossed wallpaper. The fiberglass embossed wallpaper features woven strands of glass fiber that have been given an embossed texture.
This type of wallpaper is the preferred choice for commercial spaces, kitchens, and bathrooms. The fiberglass wallpaper is fire resistant, mold proof, and can withstand repeated scrubbing with cleaning chemicals. Homeowners are discovering the benefits of fiberglass wallpaper in areas of the home that are exposed to high amounts of moisture.
Ordinary wallpaper would fail within a couple of years in these areas. Additionally, the embossing is relatively modest on the wallpaper since the performance of the fiberglass wallpaper is the primary benefit of the wallpaper. However, fiberglass wallpaper can stand up to the heat from the bathrooms’ hot showers or splash baths from kitchen sinks.
7. Embossed Metallic Wallpaper
One of the other varieties of wallpaper includes Embossed metallic wallpaper. A thin layer of metallic foil is added to the wallpaper beneath the embossed design. These types of wallpapers tend to be used in homes that do not receive much natural light or to be used in the dining rooms to allow the table’s candles or lamps to shine upon the wallpaper.
The metallic wallpaper features less intricate designs than other wallpaper varieties since too much detail can interfere with the metallic sheen of the wallpaper. Another challenge to using metallic wallpaper is that the metallic foil might scratch the wallpaper if individuals are not careful with the installation of such wallpaper. Furthermore, if the metallic wallpaper is exposed to strong sunlight for long periods of time, the wallpaper will fade to a lighter color over the years.
8. Textile Backed Embossed Wallpaper
The final type of wallpaper that will be discussed includes Textile backed embossed wallpaper. This type of wallpaper features a woven fabric, typically cotton or linen, that supports the embossed paper. Therefore, it allows the raised designs of the wallpaper to be more flexible against any evenness of the walls.
Many of the designs for textile backed wallpaper include grasscloth, silk, and hessian designs. Interior designers that desire the look of an expensive fabric wallpaper without the maintenance of actual fabric wallpapers use textile backed wallpaper in homes. This material can handle increased humidity in the home while still allowing moisture to breathe out of the wallpaper to avoid excessive moisture buildup.
However, if the wallpaper is installed with the wrong types of adhesive, the raised designs will begin to pull away from the wall over time.
The various types of embossed wallpaper offer homeowners and interior designers with options to solve almost any design problem within the home. If an individual walks into a room with the wrong type of embossed wallpaper for that space, the wallpaper will fight back at the individual for years.
On the other hand, if the appropriate wallpaper for the space is chosen, the wallpaper will transform into a quiet partner in the home that enhances the space in which individuals live each day. The secret to properly using embossed wallpaper in a home is to ensure that the personality of the wallpaper matches the personality of the features and elements within the room. When the wallpaper and the room have a strong balance and relationship with one another, the wallpaper will cease to be wallpaper and will begin to tell its own story within the room.
