Four ways to update walls

We decided to renew the walls – get ready: you have to choose from a number of offers on the market. Here are several options for wall decoration, depending on the purpose of the room, its size and the budget allocated for renovation..

We are talking about flocks, paints with special effects and plastic decorative coatings.

Flocks

Flock flooring looks very decorative due to the huge variety of their shapes and colors. Small enamel particles are monochrome, two-tone, with sparkles, pearlescent, iridescent, with a metallic sheen, in the form of scales, stars or straws.

The application technology is as follows: first, the prepared surface is covered with an adhesive, then the flocks are “shot” using a special gun and a transparent varnish is applied on top for the final gloss. The resulting coating is highly wear-resistant and resistant to frequent washing.

By the way, these qualities, indispensable for public spaces, are no less attractive when decorating a kitchen or, for example, a corridor..

But with a small area, the above technology looks too laborious. Therefore, another option is more suitable for decorating the walls of an apartment. A special colorless varnish is purchased to be mixed with flocks. Then the prepared elegant mixture is applied to the previously painted surface. It turns out quickly and conveniently.

Special effects paints

Such paints can be roughly divided into two groups. One group includes paints with special properties. For example, those capable of accumulating light and emitting it in the dark, or changing color saturation depending on the angle of view and the intensity of illumination. This may well include mosaic paints..

The second group includes paints with a special structure that allows the use of special tools.

Firstly, when using paints of different colors, they do not mix with one another. And secondly, the decorative effect is obtained as a result of the use of spatulas and rollers of various shapes, which form an original pattern on the surface..

Mosaic paint is a suspension of tiny droplets that differ in color from the base solution.

The paint can be two-color or multicolor, including droplets of several colors. In most cases, a spray gun is required to apply mosaic paint. In the process of spraying, the droplets break against the wall, forming colored blotches of different sizes. The resulting pattern, depending on the color scheme of the mosaic paint, can resemble a marble surface, granite grain or cork texture. Often the surface painted with such paints reproduces the effect of velor or velvet.

It should be remembered that when choosing mosaic paint, in addition to thorough surface preparation, you will have to select a soil that matches the color of the base color of the mosaic paint.

Usually mosaic paints are highly resistant to washing and abrasion, making them suitable for use in high traffic areas. True, you need to pay more attention to the matte mosaic paint. Since matte paints are less resistant to wear in terms of general properties, and they are still better used for painting a living room or bedroom.

The paints of the first group (with effects “from the manufacturer”) very faithfully reproduce the texture of natural materials, and also create optical illusions. Usually, the structure of such paints includes solid particles of various shades that make up a single tone. The chaotic distribution of the smallest particles on the surface creates a unique color perception. For example, paint with the effect of a starry sky (recommended for decorating premises with a large area, such as halls, halls, salons). The painted surface changes color depending on the angle of view and creates the illusion of a soft glow, streaming over the surface of the haze, whimsical and constantly changing.

Attention, buyers! The following effect is possible: the impression made by fully painted walls can be significantly different from the original when a small stand painted with the selected paint is shown as a sample.

Paints of the second group (in this case, all the effects are the work of your hands and imagination) include in their composition a special additive that slows down drying. Special tools – curly spatulas, brushes, shaggy rollers, suede, plastic wrap and even just crumpled paper – will help you achieve original patterns. The technology is as follows: a layer of paint of a different (matching) color is applied to the painted and completely dried surface. Then a roller wrapped in suede rags is rolled over the wet paint layer in different directions. Even easier is to press crumpled paper or a lump of suede to a damp surface. The drawing is formed by erasing the upper paint layer with the tool. But to get a pattern of “wood fibers” requires skill. Shaving razor-like spatula requires precise hand movements.

What difficulties can arise when using this paint? Experts recommend applying a second coat of paint on a small area – about 1 sq. m. After finishing its processing, paint the next square meter and so on. With this technology, excessive enthusiasm or inattention can lead to the manifestation of working seams, that is, the boundaries between the areas to be painted..

Decorative coatings

This is often called a plastic mass based on natural materials – lime, quartz sand, terracotta granules..

Antique coating is a mixture of mineral components.

With the help of spatulas of various shapes, a plastic base layer is applied to the prepared surface, at the same time creating the necessary texture with various hand movements.

The surface relief can be very diverse and depends on the aesthetic views of the customer and the capabilities of the master. After the base coat is completely dry, apply the finishing coat with a brush or sponge. For the effect of antiquity – tinted wax, which is at the same time a protective and decorative element of the coating. In other cases, it is possible to paint the finished surface with varnish or water-dispersion paints..

The variety of existing materials in this area makes it possible to reproduce the “antiquity” of a very different nature, for example, imitation of the roughly plastered walls of cool Mediterranean houses. And sometimes the frozen “nodules” and “folds” resemble morocco bindings of old folios or fancy patterns of dense brocade.

The indisputable advantage of such a decorative coating is in minimal surface preparation and a large selection of materials – from elite offers to inexpensive options.

Liquid wallpaper

In appearance and application technology, this material can be attributed to decorative coatings. But still, this mixture based on cotton fibers, fluff pulp and other components stands out among the finishing materials. By the way, it is convenient if decorative additives in the form of multi-colored chips or fibers are sold separately and are optionally added to the mixture. The result will be more effective than using the material already mixed with decorative elements. The dry mixture is diluted with water and can be easily applied to the walls with a brush, roller or trowel. Plant-based finish is warm and pleasant to the eye and to the touch.

The only significant drawback – hydrophobia – is eliminated by painting the coating with colorless varnish or paint.

Consumers note the ease of restoration of damaged areas of the coating (not painted). The desired place is moistened with warm water, cut out with a sharp knife, and then a new coating is applied. The material does not require careful surface preparation and hides minor surface defects.

Note: the environmental friendliness of the material itself does not raise any doubts. But as a preparatory layer for “liquid wallpaper”, an alkyd primer or oil paint (based on organic solvents) is recommended. And although the products of well-known foreign manufacturers are a material that is safe for health, the use of a large amount of alkyd primer or paint may somewhat confuse those consumers for whom environmental friendliness is the main criterion when choosing a material..

Issue price

Flocks (base, flocks, varnish): 140 rubles / m2.
Special effects paints (primer, paint): 220 rubles / m2.
Antique decorative coatings (plastic base, finishing layer): 125 rubles / m2.
Liquid wallpaper (ground, “wallpaper”, painting): 70 rubles / m2.
The average cost per square meter of surface includes the cost of all consumables.

Text: Tatiana Shcherbakova