Eco-friendly wallpapers: selection basics, assortment overview, suitable options and what to avoid. What wallpapers for walls are considered environmentally friendly: selection and definition options, features of buying and gluing Are vinyl wallpapers harmful to health

Properly selected wallpapers can transform a space in an amazing way, add depth, expressiveness, and create the necessary atmosphere. However, when choosing wallpaper, it is worth considering not only their external characteristics, especially for rooms in which people with allergies and children will be. Their non-toxicity and safety for humans is also very important. Also, due to the depletion of natural resources and the constant increase in environmental pollution, wallpapers made from materials made from renewable resources are more preferable. wallpapers are now available in a large assortment and are quite easy to find if you know what to look for.

Guide how to choose eco-friendly wallpaper

What to look for:

paper wallpaper made using recycled paper or FSC-certified paper. Using recycled paper reduces pollution and energy consumption compared to making paper from new material. 3D wallpapers made from recycled paper have good acoustic properties and can be painted (however, I have not seen information about the sale of such wallpapers in Russia). FSC-certified wallpapers are made from trees grown in special, controlled forests. The FSC certificate is issued by an international organization called the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Paper wallpapers allow the walls to "breathe" and they are usually not very expensive. Their disadvantages include low wear resistance, the ability to absorb odors, lack of moisture resistance and fading.

Wallpaper from natural fibers. Although this wallpaper is not recommended when there are cats in the house, in all other cases they are good. These wallpapers are made from rapidly renewable materials such as seaweed, bamboo and reed, straw, linen, silk. Wallpapers made from natural fibers are very beautiful, they add warmth and naturalness to any room. They can be found in all sorts of colors and patterns. These wallpapers allow the walls to "breathe", they are quite durable, have high sound and heat insulation, but their cost is usually high and they tend to fade.

Cork wallpaper. These are eco-friendly wallpapers that are not afraid of the sun, moisture and fungus, have good sound and heat insulation, they are wear-resistant, elastic and hypoallergenic, and have a natural color.

Dyes on wallpaper must be water-based without chlorine and other harmful substances. You can find hand-painted wallpapers that can make any room special, but they are much more expensive.

What to avoid:

Vinyl (PVC)- a darling of the wallpaper industry. Thanks to their strength characteristics and a surface that can be smooth or embossed to hide wall imperfections, vinyl wallpapers have dominated the market for decades. Unfortunately, PVC coating has significant drawbacks. Vinyl production is a process with significant environmental costs. Even vinyl wallpaper pasted on a wall releases volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other pollutants into the air. Some scientists have linked vinyl wallpaper to diseases such as asthma and cancer. But the greatest danger of PVC lies in its decomposition products: chlorine, dioxins (highly toxic substances) and phthalates. When burning and the temperature rises above 220 °C, organochlorine compounds and heavy metals contained in PVC stabilizers are released, which can lead to human poisoning. Vinyl wallpaper does not "breathe", which encourages mold to build up between it and the wall in damp areas such as bathrooms.

Fire resistant wallpaper- you should not buy wallpaper with substances that prevent combustion (with the exception of wallpaper with borates, natural minerals), since these substances are released into the air over time.

VOC– can stand out for several years after gluing. Look for low VOC or VOC free wallpapers. Also, the wallpaper paste should be low or VOC-free.

Heavy metals- contained in some dyes, become a real problem when they end up in a landfill. From there, they can enter the groundwater and then return back to us. By opting for wallpaper that is free of heavy metals, you reduce the risk of drinking water deterioration for yourself and future generations.

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What is the best wallpaper for a child's room? There is no single criterion: someone prefers high-quality and durable materials, for others the aesthetic component is more important.

Try to combine the maximum of preferred criteria in the wall material - and you will get a nursery that will not be perceived with negativity and will become comfortable for a child of any age.

Texture and composition of materials

Among the variety of wallpaper options for walls it is better to choose coatings that would withstand the maximum impact of external factors. The nursery is the place where the child spends most of his free time: the wallpaper in such a room will become dirty, torn, deteriorated from paints and pencils.

Do not forget that some materials attract dust, and when moisture gets in, they not only deform, but also become an environment for the formation of mold and mildew.

So what kind of wallpaper is better to glue in the children's room in order to minimize the negative impact? Let's figure it out.

One of the simplest options is. The undoubted advantages of such materials include ease of gluing, and low cost.

Although paper wallpapers are not very durable and wear-resistant, they are perfect for those who plan to update the design of the room as the child grows. And the simplest composition of paper materials does not harm the microclimate of the room and the health of children.

What kind of wallpaper to glue in the nursery is as safe as paper? In second place in the choice of consumers are materials. Despite the fact that wallpapers of this type are not entirely environmentally friendly, they do not cause significant damage to health, but have a higher quality compared to paper counterparts.

For many happy parents, the choice of finishing materials for the children's room becomes the most difficult task of all repairs. And indeed, you need to cover a whole range of nuances that all materials must meet. In this article we will talk about what wallpaper to choose for the nursery, and what should be guided by when making a decision.

The modern building materials market is full of a variety of types of wallpaper. From simple paper, to large format, with a photo or some kind of drawing.

In all this diversity, it is not surprising to get confused, and if, for example, for a living room or kitchen, you can be guided only by personal preferences and practicality, then for a children's room, there are much more nuances.

The more versatile the pattern, the better.. Children grow fast and their tastes change much more often than you can re-paste wallpaper. Try to choose wallpaper with such a pattern so that the child does not lose interest in them for at least a few years.
Dirt resistance. Everyone, even the cleanest children, will sooner or later get to the wallpaper. It is important that they are as resistant as possible to dirt and mechanical stress.
Ease of cleaning. One way or another, but the wallpaper will have to be washed, and they must endure it. Moreover, some dirt cannot be removed with just water, so they will have to be washed with strong detergents.
Safety and environmental friendliness. The child's body is very susceptible to all kinds of harmful materials that can cause an allergic reaction or even illness. That is why it is so important that the wallpaper for the nursery be made from natural materials and completely harmless.
Color spectrum. A very important aspect that should not be forgotten. Any person is very susceptible to the colors that surround him. They can affect the psyche and change the emotional background, which is why it is so important that there are no annoying or overly gloomy shades in the children's room.

Important! When deciding on the question of what color to choose wallpaper for the nursery, be sure to consult with specialists in the field of the child's psyche, who will tell you what shades it is desirable to avoid in the child's room.

natural wallpaper

Natural wallpapers are all those that are made without the use of synthetic materials.

The main group includes the following types:

Non-woven. Fabric wallpaper, which may differ in base material. An expensive type of wallpaper with a relatively low resistance to dirt and mechanical damage.
Paper. The most common type of wallpaper. Their main advantage can be considered a relatively low cost, but the overall technical performance will also be low.
Cork wallpaper. Heavy and expensive type, characterized by increased stability.

It is believed that wallpapers made from natural materials (see How to glue natural wallpapers: do it right) are the most environmentally friendly. This is partly true, but do not forget that almost every type is produced with the addition of synthetic materials to the composition, which improve quality characteristics.

So, for example, non-woven wallpaper, most often have a vinyl base, and it is thanks to him that they can be wiped with a damp cloth.

Modern paper wallpapers also cannot be fully called natural, since synthetic types of glue are added to their composition, which make the material more stable and durable compared to ordinary paper. Another question is that it is unnecessary to be afraid of the word vinyl or synthetics, it is not necessary that they are harmful to health, especially since without their use, any natural material becomes fragile and unreliable.

As for the question of which wallpaper to choose for a children's room, it is natural materials that experts advise to bypass. Yes, they look very attractive, but very quickly become unusable. Especially if the child begins to show artistic inclinations, and draw on them with paints or even more so with felt-tip pens.

The liquid wallpaper

We deliberately put this type of wallpaper in a separate subheading, as they are fundamentally different from all other options. First of all, this is the way they are applied, that is, the wallpaper is not glued to the wall in the form of a canvas, but is applied in liquid form using a spatula or trowel.

The main advantage of this type of wallpaper is the fact that in case of damage or heavy pollution, you do not have to re-glue the entire room, but just soak the desired area with water, remove the old coating and apply a new one in its place. But it is precisely the fact that liquid wallpaper (see Finishing with liquid wallpaper: choose and apply correctly) easily dissolves in water and is their main drawback, since you can forget about wet cleaning, and even more so washing.

It is impossible not to mention the fact that it is quite possible to create any drawings from liquid wallpaper (see Liquid wallpaper and drawings: application technology), which gives just endless possibilities for the manifestation of your imagination.

Advice! If you decide to use liquid wallpaper in a nursery, be sure to watch themed videos before sticking, or read articles on the Internet where detailed instructions will be described. The process is quite simple, but you still need to know some of the nuances, especially if you do it yourself.

It should be noted that liquid wallpaper is quite easily damaged, but there is a way to significantly increase their strength - apply a layer of colorless protective varnish over the wallpaper. Such a coating is much more difficult to damage, but we must not forget that it will be much more difficult to restore it later.

unnatural wallpaper

Deciding on the question of which wallpaper to choose in the children's room, more and more people prefer this particular option. In particular, we are now talking about vinyl-based wallpaper.

A few years ago, the very word vinyl, or even more so polyvinyl chloride, scared off potential buyers, and the point here is not the low quality of the material or its harmfulness, but rather elementary ignorance. Modern vinyl is, of course, a product of the chemical industry, but, despite this, it is completely safe for health, and moreover, it is approved by regulatory authorities for use in children's institutions.

Unfortunately, this material is not perfect, and has equally both advantages and disadvantages. In order not to mislead anyone and not to draw idealistic pictures, we will simply talk about the most characteristic qualities of vinyl wallpaper.

pros

Vinyl wallpaper is very thick., due to which, it is very difficult to damage them in any way, and this is true even for accidental contact with sharp objects.
By themselves, the wallpaper is difficult to stain, since most of them have a protective coating on the surface that repels dust. But even if contamination has occurred, the wallpaper can be safely washed using strong detergents.
Textures and patterns of vinyl wallpaper, can rightfully be considered the most diverse. The production technology allows you to apply any drawings to the surface, and even make wallpaper with a textured print, which makes it possible to choose exactly the option that will meet all the requirements.
Relatively low cost. The price of vinyl wallpaper is several times lower than that of non-woven, or, especially cork.

Interesting! Many types of so-called natural wallpapers have a vinyl base, which provides more reliable adhesion to the surface, so you can’t call them completely natural, it’s more like a marketing ploy.

Minuses

Vinyl, in itself, is a dense material that does not allow moisture to pass through at all, therefore the wallpaper is considered “non-breathable”, therefore it is necessary to ventilate the room more often, and thoroughly treat the wall with special antiseptics before gluing.
By themselves, vinyl wallpapers are non-combustible and do not support combustion, but when melted, they begin to emit toxic gases that can significantly harm health.
Vinyl is a dense and heavy material that creates an additional load on the walls. This fact must be taken into account when choosing glue.
It will be very difficult to remove vinyl wallpaper if necessary. Unlike fabric or paper types, vinyl does not soak under the influence of water and soapy water.

As you can see, the quality characteristics of vinyl wallpaper are quite controversial, but one thing is for sure, if your child shows artistic inclinations and most often chooses walls for his creativity, then this is exactly the option that you need.

In this case, you can easily remove not only watercolors, but also complex felt-tip drawings.

Wall mural

When deciding which wallpaper to choose for a nursery, we strongly recommend that you pay attention to this option. Photo wallpapers are attractive for their diversity, you can pick up absolutely any thematic drawing, and even if nothing suitable was found in the stores, there is an opportunity to make a custom-made print in any large-format printing studio.

Wall murals can decorate any interior and become its key element, and it has been noticed that a child often loses the desire to spoil such wallpapers precisely because of their external attractiveness.

The main difficulty in the question of which wallpaper to choose for the nursery is to decide on the theme of the picture, because, as we said above, children grow up very quickly, and cartoon characters that are interesting for a very small child will become irrelevant in a couple of years.

That is why it is necessary to choose something neutral for photo wallpapers, for example, photo wallpapers depicting natural landscapes will look very interesting and relevant, they will not get bored for a long time, and will constantly set the child up for positive thinking, which is very important in our age of computer games and movies with violent scenes .

In addition to natural landscapes, prints with images of all kinds of animals will harmoniously look in the children's room. It can be both peace-loving horses (see. Horse wallpaper: how to use it in the interior), or lions or tigers. In any case, in the modern world, we really lack contact with nature, and such photo wallpapers, albeit partially, compensate for this lack.

And before choosing wallpaper for a children's room with photo printing, be sure to read the list below, which will help to fit them into the interior as harmoniously as possible.

Try to avoid images with large objects. Such wallpapers will put pressure on the psyche, and make the interior uncomfortable.
A minimum of aggressive colors, if we are talking about thematic drawings. With images of nature, there will be no such problems, since there all the shades are soft and non-irritating, which is why they are most often the choice of consumers.
Wall murals visually expand the space of the room, but, despite this, they should not be glued to all walls, since the resulting visual illusion will only disorient the child in space and introduce a certain dissonance into the interior.
If the child is over 4 years old, do not try to impose your opinion on him in choosing a pattern for photo wallpaper, this will only cause negative. Try to come to a common opinion, taking into account the wishes of the baby and consulting with him.

Summing up all the above, we can conclude that photo wallpaper for a nursery is an excellent choice with which you can kill two birds with one stone: create a truly original interior, and bring positive notes to it that will form the correct perception in the child the surrounding world.

And in conclusion

We hope that we were able to fully answer the question of which wallpaper for the nursery to choose. Then it's up to you, and most importantly, remember that wallpaper for a child should not only look interesting, but also carry the right emotional mood. Everything else is already the technical side of the issue, which, of course, can only be solved by adults.

Everyone dreams that the apartment is comfortable, the wallpaper is not only pleasing to the eye, but also absolutely safe for our health. Today I want to talk about environmentally friendly wallpaper.

Which wallpaper is better to choose so that they meet the criteria for environmental safety? Let's get acquainted with the most environmentally friendly wallpapers.

What to choose paper wallpaper?

When choosing wallpaper, one should take into account their ability to pass air. Paper wallpaper in this case is a win-win option. But there are other advantages of such wallpapers.

Good air exchange between the wall and the air of the room, mold and fungus do not form on the walls.

The low price of single-layer wallpaper makes it possible to change the situation in the apartment every three years.

But lately, consumers have made their choice in favor of expensive multi-layer imported wallpapers with high-quality patterns and photo printing. The price of such wallpapers is high, they are glued for a long time. The quality of such wallpapers are overstated requirements.

Modern photo wallpaper on a thick paper base, high quality, maximally and realistically transmitting the image. Nature, cities, various natural textures are especially popular.

The end walls are pasted over with plot wallpaper. If you paste the wallpaper correctly and successfully, then the room will appear higher and wider, as if there is an additional volume of air.

The main disadvantages of paper wallpaper:

odor absorption;
fear of moisture.

Therefore, it is better not to use such wallpaper for the kitchen and bathroom.

Try to choose thicker wallpapers, they accumulate less dust, and therefore less harm to health.

Choose wallpapers that can be cleaned. For example, paper washable wallpaper with a glossy layer.

Interlining is a non-woven material made from cellulose and wood fibers.

High-quality non-woven wallpaper consists of:

natural cellulose - about 70%;
textile or wood fibers - 24%;
natural adhesives - only one percent.

The embossing method is used for the production of such wallpapers, a canvas is created from pure non-woven fabric.

There are no harmful components in real non-woven wallpaper:

polyvinyl chloride;
vinyl;
fiberglass;
formaldehyde;
solvents.

The main advantages of such wallpapers.

Excellent vapor and breathability. It is even higher than that of paper wallpaper.
They pass air well to the walls, creating good air exchange. This distinguishes them from vinyl wallpaper. Non-woven wallpaper is well suited for a nursery, pasting a bedroom, apartments where people with allergies live, people with bronchial diseases.
Another advantage is the ability to stabilize the structure of the wall covering. Therefore, it is a good choice for new buildings, where the walls have not yet sat down, there is a risk of microcracks.
The dense non-woven fabric is dimensionally stable and holds back microcracks on the walls.
Moisture for such wallpapers is not terrible, they do not leave when pasting rooms with high humidity (kitchen). But you can not wash unpainted wallpaper.
It is very easy to glue such wallpaper. Glue is applied to the wall, not wallpaper. If you don't like how you stuck it, you can tear it off and stick it on again.

A few years ago, in stores you could find wallpapers of the same color from pure non-woven fabric for painting. The material withstood 5 repaints, it was possible to change the interior several times without investment.

If you want to get ready-made walls right away, choose colored wallpapers. But here you need to be more careful, many sellers pass off combined non-woven wallpaper as non-woven wallpaper, that is, non-woven vinyl based.

If you choose wallpaper for tint, then know that they will lose their ability to breathe. Loss of breathability. If you want to keep this property, choose single-layer and multi-layer pure non-woven wallpaper.

To make sure of the right choice, you need to tear the edge of the sheet. If the canvas is paper, you will not notice the fibrous structure, but take away the jagged structure at the break. If the base is non-woven, the gap will be stretched, and non-woven fiber will be visible along the edges.

What to choose non-woven wallpaper? First, read the packaging, if it says: on a non-woven basis, ask the sales assistant for a certificate indicating that the wallpaper is non-woven.

Another type of safe wallpaper is textile, consisting of paper and woven layers. The top layer consists of cotton, linen threads or artificial fibers.

Advantages of textile wallpaper:

do not require the selection of a pattern;
protect from extraneous sounds, noises;
provide good air circulation.

it is inconvenient to glue them;
inconvenient to care for;
are expensive.

More expensive versions of such wallpapers are covered with dust and dirt-repellent coating.

Cork wallpapers are easy to use. They are easy to clean, do not fade, do not electrify.

You can find two types of such wallpapers.

With base. When a thin layer of cork is applied to a paper backing.
No foundation. This is a pressed cork oak bark with various decorative additives.

Such wallpapers are becoming more and more popular. Buyers really like the texture of the coating. Floral wallpapers created by nature are unique and unrepeatable.

To choose such wallpaper, you need to take into account that even in one batch there may be wallpapers that are different in color, texture, pattern.

For the manufacture of wallpaper from plant fibers, natural materials are used:

bamboo;
jute;
papyrus;
cane;
other materials.

Absolutely safe.
They are highly environmentally friendly.
Recommended for allergy sufferers, small children, asthmatics.
Used for pasting walls, ceilings, furniture.
They retain heat well and absorb noise, creating coziness in the apartment.
They have high strength.
They have a long service life.

The top layer must not be scratched. Therefore, in the hallway, in the nursery, it is better not to use such wallpapers.
Vegetable fibers absorb odors; such wallpapers are not suitable for the kitchen.
Noticeable seams between sheets. From you can beat and arrange additionally.

What to choose vegetable wallpaper? Pay attention to the following characteristics: the possibility of wet cleaning, treatment with protective agents, resistance to fading.

Conclusion: now you know which wallpaper is better to choose. Safety, environmental friendliness, cleanliness are the main factors when choosing wallpaper.

With the pace at which our planet's natural resources are being depleted, and some are even disappearing, it becomes more important every day to preserve what we have and make the best choices when purchasing products for everyday life.

By avoiding clichés, being innovative and exploring different alternatives, we can decorate our homes with impeccable style and without damaging valuable environmental resources. Choosing eco-friendly wallpaper is an important area where fine taste and eco-consciousness can come together.

Why is it becoming more and more important?

Since the mid-twentieth century, wallpaper manufacturers have been adding so-called "improvements" to their products: vinyl or PVC, formaldehyde, chemical dyes, fungicides and powerful adhesives. Thanks to these additives, wallpapers have acquired amazing properties: high strength, light and water resistance, durability, etc.

Unfortunately, with all this, there are by-products - volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These are toxic gases that are emitted by various solvents, plastics, paints and adhesives contained in the wallpaper. They can cause occasional headaches, dizziness, visual disturbances, memory impairment, respiratory problems, and even liver or kidney problems. Carelessly choosing different materials for your home, you can cause serious damage not only to the environment, but also to your health.

How to choose eco-friendly wallpaper

If the main criterion for choosing wallpaper for you is environmental friendliness, then first of all, consider wallpaper without a vinyl layer. Vinyl wall coverings can not only emit harmful fumes, but also promote mold growth on walls. The harmful impact of PVC materials on the environment does not end even when they end up in a landfill.

Mold under wallpaper that doesn't "breathe"

But even wallpapers made from natural resources can be unsafe and release VOCs. Before you make a purchase, make sure that the manufacturing company uses only natural water-based paints for finishing. You may be pleasantly surprised at how beautiful vegetable dyes can be. In addition, heavy metals found in some artificial paints are becoming a real problem for groundwater due to their increasing presence in landfills. By choosing wallpapers that are free of heavy metals, you are making a personal contribution to better drinking water for yourself and future generations.

Types of eco-friendly wallpaper

Bamboo and Grasscloth

Bamboo, sisal, reed and some other plants are the most popular material for making eco-friendly wallpapers. The woven texture and uneven coloring of the plant fibers give the walls a soft warmth that cannot be conveyed with any other wall covering.

Wallpaper from natural materials. Producer: Omexco

Particularly high speed is gaining popularity of bamboo wallpaper. Bamboo is an extremely resilient material, and because it is a herb that grows and matures very quickly, it can be actively used to make everything from flooring and furniture to fabrics and wallpaper. Undoubtedly, this material is the most promising in the production of environmentally friendly decorative materials.

from wood

Usually such wallpaper is a very thin layer of natural wood, such as paulownia, which is so flexible that it can be easily rolled into rolls and bent at an angle.

Whichever type of wood is used to make these wallcoverings, it comes from specially grown and rapidly renewable sources. The finished wallpaper canvas is finished with fine carving or hand-made inlay, and sometimes even painted with natural dyes.

Wood wallpaper. Manufacturer: Maya Romanoff

Wood wallpapers are an excellent choice for people with allergies. In addition, they look very rich on the walls, giving them the look of a luxurious finish with elaborate wood paneling.

Paper

Handmade paper, parchment and rice paper are now available in every pattern or color imaginable. But when choosing modern paper wallpaper, you should definitely check their composition. It must contain only water-based paints, without formaldehyde, heavy metals, PVC or vinyl backing.

Wallpaper with a pattern of water-based paints. Manufacturer: Graham & Brown

For the environment, it is best to opt for paper certified under the Forest Stewardship Council scheme. If you are ordering imported wallpaper, it must have the FSC logo (“tree with a tick”) on it, which guarantees that the wood used to make paper for this wallpaper comes from responsibly managed forests.

Wallpaper made from FSC certified paper. Producer: Little Greene

Avoid using paper wallpaper in damp areas. The mold that can form is a fungus that releases harmful spores into the atmosphere. Not only are they airborne to settle and germinate in a new location, but they can also cause allergies and other health problems.

Made from recycled materials

Recycled paper is a great safe wall covering option that is becoming more common in today's market. Discarded clothes and books are the main post-consumer materials most often used to produce these innovative wallpapers.

Although it is impossible to say with certainty that such wallpapers are 100% natural, nevertheless, they do not pose a threat to your health and, in addition, reduce waste. To be absolutely sure that they do not emit VOCs, contact the manufacturer.

Textile

Typically, the composition of woven wallpaper is mixed, in which natural threads are intertwined with polyester, polyamide, viscose and other artificial materials that increase strength and other quality characteristics of the fabric. But sometimes manufacturers also produce wall coverings made from 100% pure linen, cotton or silk, which, although they are expensive, are environmentally friendly, provided that their dyes are also of natural origin.

Non-woven (non-woven)

Non-woven wallpapers are made from a special blend of natural and synthetic fibers, making them especially washable and breathable. You can find interlining in many household products, such as tea bags or coffee machine filters. This material, which is highly breathable, is the best solution for bathrooms and other areas with high humidity.

There is a common misconception that only 100% natural wallpapers (linen, sisal, etc.) can be environmentally friendly. In fact, the main criteria for choosing wallpapers that are safe for health and the environment are as follows:

no vinyl or PVC;
absence of heavy metals;
absence of formaldehydes;
the use of adhesives and dyes exclusively on a water basis.

As you can see, finding eco-friendly wall coverings for your home is not at all difficult: they are widely available, and their choice is extremely wide and varied.

Eco-friendly wallpaper for the bedroom and more updated: July 11, 2015 by: Margarita Glushko