Choosing a Textile Wall Covering

Textile wall coverings offer the advantages of natural materials and a sense of warmth. They are insulating and sound dampening, which helps improve the room climate. They are available in a wide variety of colors and textures and add value to the interior design of the home. They are also used in commercial projects such as hotels and fashion boutiques.

A textile is a fabric woven with a thread of cotton or viscose fibers that has been made into a wallcovering by dyeing and pressing it onto a paper backing. Besides being beautiful and warm, these wallcoverings are easy to clean, flame retardant and antimicrobial. They are also easier to hang and are much more durable than traditional wallpapers.

When choosing a Fabric wallcovering, it is important to consider the weight of the material as well as its pattern and color. The heavier fabrics tend to be thicker and more opaque, while the lighter weight fabrics are more translucent and softer. It is also a good idea to choose a fabric with a solid base, as this will prevent it from warping.

The yarns used to weave fabric into a wallcovering are usually either natural or synthetic. Cotton, wool, jute, sisal and grass are all common natural fibers that are used in making textile wall coverings. In addition, synthetics such as polyester and nylon are also used to make fabric wallcoverings.

There are two basic types of textile wallcoverings: paperbacked and woven. Paperbacked fabric is a heavy, non-woven or woven vinyl-coated cotton that is pasted to a paper backing. This type of wallcovering is typically not as durable as a woven or embroidered product. It is better suited for use in children's rooms or high traffic areas where durability is less of an issue.

Woven textiles are made of a tightly twisted or braided threading, which is then bonded to a substrate such as a woodchip, plastic, canvas or metal mesh. The bonding process can be done with adhesive, starch, hot water or solvents. The best choice for high-traffic areas, however, is a woven textile treated with Crypton and Stain Guard, as this product will be both stain resistant and water repellent.

When hanging a woven wallcovering, it is recommended that you line the walls with muslin or canvas to avoid small cracks in plaster walls and to allow for easier removal of the covering at a later date. If lining the walls, it is important to press out any air bubbles before applying the next panel. When installing the second panel, it should be butted as tightly as possible to the first, being careful not to crease the seams or leave gaps. It is also helpful to apply a little extra starch on the seam, as it is very difficult to remove once dry.

When a textile wallcovering is installed, it is important to follow the manufacturer's installation instructions. A low-cost standard wallpaper paste is sufficient for many models, but for some that are prone to warping, a special paste may be needed. In addition, it is important to let the wallpaper soak for three times as long as a normal paper or woodchip wallpaper.