The easiest way to make repairs in an apartment is to wallpaper the walls. Cheap and cheerful, especially since the choice in stores is quite rich. True, after three or four years, the operation will have to be repeated, since the coating does not differ in increased wear resistance: it dims or turns pale from the sun, it gets dirty and torn easily. Most buyers are familiar with paper, vinyl, washable and even liquid wallpaper, but not everyone knows, very popular in Western Europe, fiberglass wallpaper. This material deserves special attention due to its practicality and durability. The editorial staff of the site "bestx.htgetrid.com/en/" offers readers a review "The best glass wallpaper for painting in 2020", compiled on the basis of customer reviews and expert assessments.
Content
- 1 What is called fiberglass
- 2 What are glass wallpapers
- 3 Advantages and disadvantages of fiberglass
- 4 Criteria for the selection of fiberglass
- 5 Top manufacturers
- 6 Where to buy fiberglass
- 7 How to work with fiberglass
- 8 Rating of quality glass wallpaper for painting
- 8.1 10 Universal fiberglass (cobweb) Ultra U 40
- 8.2 9 Wellton Matte mat WO 110
- 8.3 8 Nortex Matting medium
- 8.4 7 Oscar Matting medium OS 130
- 8.5 6 Oscar Ceiling mat
- 8.6 5 X - Glass Gold
- 8.7 4 Novelio Checkers 1023
- 8.8 3 Brattendorf B021 Rain
- 8.9 2 Vitrulan Aqua Plus 604 phantasy micro crepe
- 8.10 1 Vitrulan Acoustic 904 Labyrinth
What is called fiberglass
It would be more correct to call this product glass-cloth wallpaper, because it is obtained by the weaving method.
The fabric itself and the manufacturing process are very interesting and deserve a more detailed description.
Already from the name itself, it becomes clear that the process uses glass in the form of small briquettes obtained by sintering raw materials: soda, quartz sand, limestone and clay. All products are natural, therefore, the final product will be environmentally friendly.
Glass briquettes are melted in furnaces until a homogeneous mass is obtained, which is drawn through very small holes of platinum dies to obtain a thin fiber. It is cooled and wound on drums.
Interesting! A die is a high-strength plate with calibrated holes for pushing plastic materials through them. The die must be chemically inert and resistant to abrasion. Made of precious metal.
From the resulting fiber, a very thin and strong glass thread of two types is spun: warp and weft.
Both types end up on a special loom. The warp thread is dense and smooth, in the fabric is located in the longitudinal direction. The weft is a more “shaggy”, fluffy thread that is woven into the fabric in the transverse direction.
There are two types of glass-weaving machines: ordinary and jacquard.
On conventional looms, material of various textures is woven:
- Christmas trees;
- "Rhombuses";
- "Matting";
- "Parquets".
Jacquard patterns are more complex and are made on a computer controlled machine. The process is preceded by the development of special software. As a result, the pattern on the wallpaper can be any pattern that comes to mind of the designer.
Interesting! Jacquard is the name for dense fabrics with a complex large pattern. It owes its name to the inventor of the special loom, Joseph Marie Jaccard.
The product is ready, but it needs to be starch to make it stable. This operation is performed on a special machine, by impregnating the fiberglass with a solution of special starch.
The fabric thus stabilized is dissolved in two halves, the edges are trimmed and wound, already a meter wide, on bobbins of 3-4 kilometers each. Then the fabric is wound into rolls with a cut of 25 meters, supplied with a product label and packed.
What are glass wallpapers
This is a coating of rare durability. Manufacturers assure that their products will serve the buyer for at least 30 years, without loss of consumer properties. They can be painted, and not once, but dozens of times. The technology of their stickers practically does not differ from working with paper counterparts. They will not spoil the most sophisticated interior.
There are two main types of fiberglass wallpaper:
- Fiberglass for painting. The fabric is so thin that it is called a spider web. Crafted without patterns. It is used as a reinforcing coating of walls and ceilings with their subsequent painting.
- Fiberglass wallpaper. Thicker fabric with simple patterns or jacquard. Used as a coating for painting.
Advantages and disadvantages of fiberglass
The popularity of fiberglass wallpaper in our country is growing every year, thanks to their very attractive qualities:
- ecological cleanliness and safety for health;
- very durable material, it is almost impossible to accidentally tear it or damage the surface;
- absolutely fire resistant, does not burn even in case of fire;
- breathing;
- does not rot, does not grow moldy, inhibits the development of fungus;
- it can be painted and repainted;
- can be perfectly cleaned with cleaning agents and a brush;
- correctly glued, withstands operation for more than 30 years.
A finish with such characteristics is perfect for office spaces and public places with a large number of visitors: shops and supermarkets, hotels, hotels and even museums. However, there is always a fly in the ointment for every barrel of honey. And the material we are considering is no exception. Rather, some of the advantages of using it are also disadvantages:
- if the owner of the apartment gets tired of the decor pattern, and he decides to change it, he will have to sweat a lot, given the strength of the product;
- having familiarized yourself with the process of making the material, it is easy to guess that its cost is much higher than the cost of paper wallpaper;
- the number of patterns is actually not as large as we would like;
- a pattern with a slight relief can be completely hidden under several layers of paint.
Criteria for the selection of fiberglass
In order not to make mistakes when choosing, several basic parameters should be considered:
- density value;
- features of the pattern;
- description of the composition;
- quality of packaging;
- who is the manufacturer.
Each of the criteria deserves detailed consideration.
Density
A parameter that serves as an indicator of strength and durability. The dependence on density is directly proportional - the denser, the stronger, more durable, and withstand more layers of paint. High-quality canvases are considered, with a density of 100 g / cm2 and more. They are the most expensive. Less dense coatings (up to 100 g / cm2) may not last up to 30 years of operation and are inferior in strength to high-quality ones. But they are cheaper.
Patterns
The main types of drawings have already been listed:
- matting;
- Christmas trees;
- rhombuses;
- raindrops on glass;
- parquet;
- rice paper.
The choice is small. True, manufacturers do not stop there, and from time to time they develop new drawings, so you can always choose an interesting option for decorating an apartment. Particular attention should be paid to the depth of the pattern relief. The larger it is, the more layers of paint can be applied to the fabric in the future, preserving the pattern.
Fiberglass composition and roll packaging
A very important parameter. A quality product should be 70% glass. The remaining 30% are impregnated. This is the ideal composition and information about it should be present in the accompanying documentation. Deviations from this ratio, as well as the complete lack of information about the composition, should alert the buyer.
So that the user does not confuse the front side with the wrong side when applying wallpaper, the manufacturer applies special signs to the wrong side of the canvas.The canvas must be free from weaving defects. The edges of a quality product are always cut straight and should not crumble. You should also pay special attention to this when buying.
Top manufacturers
Product quality directly depends on the manufacturer. The best companies, which have been working in this market segment for several years, have established themselves with consistently high quality of goods, constant innovations, and expansion of the range. Some of them are worth getting to know better.
- Tassoglas
American brand product. Manufacturing facilities are deployed in China, Europe and the USA. The sale of goods is carried out with the obligatory attachment of a quality certificate confirming environmental friendliness, fire and sanitary safety. Practical and high-quality canvas is ideal not only for pasting walls and ceilings of living rooms, but also for repairing various offices and institutions.
- Nortex
Russian brand with production facilities in China. Premium class products are of high quality and high density, up to 200 g / m2, with a warranty period of more than 30 years. The density of economy class wallpapers does not exceed 100 g / m2 and are more affordable at a price. As an original and durable decor, they are suitable for decoration of various premises.
- Vitrulan
The owner of the trademark is the German company Vitrulan Textile GMbH, a leading manufacturer of glass-cloth wallpapers in Europe. It all started as a small glass factory in Haselbach in 1896. As early as 1921, the company was producing fiberglass and glass wool. In 1929, the company changed its name to Vitrulan.
Interesting! The name of the company comes from the Latin words Vitru - glass and lan - fiber.
In 1931, the company first produces fiberglass wall coverings in various colors. Today, Vitrulan Textile GMbH specialists carry out constant scientific research in order to improve the consumer qualities of their products. On request, the client can order a coating with specified properties: smoothness, softness, hardness and color, chemical fire resistance.
- Wellton
The Swedish brand, known all over the world, has been producing wall coverings of high quality and stylish design for several years. Production is established at factories in Sweden, Germany, Russia, Czech Republic and China.
- Oscar
Subsidiary Wellton manufactures its popular and inexpensive models in China. Product quality is at a high level, prices are more affordable.
- X - Glass
Russian brand with production in Russia and Finland. Produces high-quality fabrics and fiberglass in the middle price segment. The assortment is wide enough.
- Brattendorf
The brand from Germany belongs to the relatively young company Preiss Daimler group Industriegesellschaft GmbH Glasfaser Brattendorf (Haglasta). The high quality of the products makes it possible to use it not only in any residential premises, but also in hospitals and cancer centers, schools, kindergartens, museums and pharmacies. In the Russian market, the product is supplied under the Brattendorf brand, in the EU countries it is known as Haglasta. The popularity of models of glass cloth wallpaper of this brand is explained by the high quality
- Saint-Gobain Novelio
Joint Franco - Czech production with the involvement of Italian designers led to the appearance on the market of high quality colored glass wallpapers. The collection includes several textures and more than twenty color schemes. Saint-Gobain Novelio coatings are widely used for decorating walls and ceilings in hotels and spas, and other elegant and expensive interiors.
- Erfurt
The German company has been producing wallpaper since 1827. It gained worldwide fame by releasing high-quality Rauhfaser paper wallpapers, which are incredibly popular today. Erfurt glass fabric coverings are a guarantee of quality and durability.
The list of the best manufacturers can be continued for quite a long time. It is impossible to immediately say which company is the best to buy the product. It depends on the type of work (preparation of walls for finishing or finishing), the category of the room, its fire hazard, etc.In any case, you should ask professionals how to choose the right product, listen to the advice and recommendations of the store seller, read the description and clarify the characteristics, find out how much the selected product costs and make an informed decision.
Where to buy fiberglass
It is certainly best to buy building materials from specialized stores. Here you can see and touch the goods, assess whether there are any defects, whether the edges are evenly cut, see with your own eyes the texture of the canvas and its color (if you are purchasing a tinted product). If this is not possible, it remains to order the product online in the online store. Some of them can be found on the Yandex Market pages. There you can also find a description of the product, navigate the price and choose a store by studying the reviews of buyers who used its services. If everything suits you, here you can place an order and delivery.
How to work with fiberglass
The technology practically does not differ from gluing paper wallpaper. However, given the properties of fiberglass, there are some nuances.
Surface preparation
First of all, remove old wallpaper, peeling paint, damaged plaster and putty. Potholes are eliminated with a leveling putty, mortar or concrete overflows are cut and smoothed out. You can ignore small cracks, since fiberglass will perfectly hide them and prevent their further disclosure. In rooms with high humidity, the walls are treated with special compounds that prevent the formation of mold and mildew.
Open canvases
Blades are cut with a knife or scissors. Do not forget that you will have to work with glass, albeit in the form of a thin fabric. The edges are tight when cutting will certainly crumble. Fine glass dust hangs in the air and gets on the skin, eyes and respiratory tract. For your own safety and health, work should be done in long-sleeved clothing with a closed neck. A gauze mask will protect your mouth and nose. It is better to cover your eyes with glasses. Work is done with gloves. When cutting the canvases along the height of the room, be sure to leave an allowance of 5-10 cm. This is necessary to align the pattern at the joints.
Gluing and painting
In the process, only special glue is used, which is applied to the wall with a roller. Other adhesives will not be able to support the weight of the web. Finding the right glue on sale is not a problem. Almost all manufacturers produce and sell special formulations along with the main product.
Important! The front side of the wallpaper is identified by the presence of a pattern. When working with a smooth painting glass mat, the front side is smoother, the wrong side has roughness for better adhesion to the wall.
The canvas is applied to the prepared wall and rolled with a roller, clean dry cloth, or a plastic spatula, removing air and excess glue. The same procedure is performed with the next canvas, be sure to combine the drawing and leave no gap. The resulting bubbles and irregularities are eliminated immediately. After the glue dries, it will be almost impossible to do this.
Important! The drying temperature of the glue must be maintained within + 18/25 ° С, at 70% humidity. Violation of these conditions can lead to the formation of bubbles where the glue dries earlier.
If there are no instruments for measuring humidity at hand, you will have to trust your feelings. The indoor air should not be too humid or too dry. Drafts and direct sunlight, which also accelerate the drying of the glue in some areas, are unacceptable.
As for painting the coating, there are no special conditions or techniques in this process. The surface to be painted is primed with the same glue on which the canvases are glued. After the primer has dried, the paint is applied with a brush, roller or spray. Spills of paint are immediately shaded.
Rating of quality glass wallpaper for painting
10 Universal fiberglass (cobweb) Ultra U 40
Product with a density of 45-50 g / m2, sold in rolls of 50 m, 1000 mm wide.Unlike fiberglass wallpaper, a spider web is a non-woven fabric obtained not by interweaving threads on a weaving machine, but by adhesion of fibers using a special technology. It is used for preparatory and final finishing of walls and ceilings. Perfectly levels walls and prevents small cracks from developing. After applying a layer of paint, it acquires a finished textured surface. To get a smooth wall, the cobweb can and should be putty. The product is sold at a price of 570 rubles per roll.
Advantages:
- prevents the formation of cracks;
- not flammable;
- ecologicaly clean;
- suitable for finishing damp rooms;
- protects walls from bacteria, fungus and mold.
Disadvantages:
- low density.
9 Wellton Matte mat WO 110
The Swedish material from the Wellton Decor collection is made in China. The density of the fiberglass is 110g / m2. Differs in increased durability. Equally suitable for an apartment, office, children's room. Uncolored. Sold in rolls of 25 m. Panel width 1000 mm. The average price is 600 rubles. Quite budgetary and high-quality fiberglass.
Advantages:
- high strength;
- durability;
- universal pattern;
- affordable price.
Disadvantages:
- not identified.
8 Nortex Matting medium
Glass fiber for painting from a Russian brand. Medium mat Nortex is made of natural materials, weaving method with a density of 110 g / m2. In a roll of 25 meters of durable fabric 1000 mm wide. An excellent finish for walls in various premises. It can withstand more than 10 layers of paint. The average price per roll is 1,300 rubles.
Advantages:
- durable;
- breathable;
- fire resistant;
- natural;
- vandal-proof.
Disadvantages:
- not identified.
7 Oscar Matting medium OS 130
The classic version of glass cloth wallpaper from a famous Swedish brand is produced in China. Due to their relatively affordable price, they are the most sold type of this type of finishing materials. Cloths with a density of 130 g / m2 from natural ingredients are sold in rolls of 25 meters, 1000 mm wide. Walls with such a coating will last up to 30 years and can withstand more than a dozen layers of paint. Suitable for the treatment of rooms with different humidity, intensity of use and purpose. The average cost of a roll is 1590 rubles.
Advantages:
- ecologicaly clean;
- original texture;
- high strength and durability;
- fire resistant;
- protects walls from mold and mildew;
- perfectly clean with a brush and detergents.
Disadvantages:
- not identified.
6 Oscar Ceiling mat
Chinese-made canvas from the Swedish brand Oscar. In rolls of 25 meters, panels with a width of 1000 mm and a density of 125 g / m2 are packed. The pattern is traditional, small, most often used for finishing ceilings, as a finishing one, for subsequent painting. Roll cost: 2160 rubles.
Advantages:
- increased density;
- durability;
- small pattern, perfect for ceiling decoration.
Disadvantages:
- not identified.
5 X - Glass Gold
Excellent finishing material from a Russian brand with production in Finland. It reinforces walls and ceilings surfaces well. It is difficult to damage or even scratch it. It does not burn even in case of fire. Eco-friendly and breathable, it will look good in any interior. Sold in rolls of 25 and 50 meters, 1000 mm wide. The density of the web exceeds 100 g / m2. Average price: 3200 rubles.
Advantages:
- lasting;
- mildew and mildew resistant;
- fire-fighting;
- environmentally friendly and safe for health;
- will last over 30 years.
Disadvantages:
- not identified.
4 Novelio Checkers 1023
Glass fiber of Czech production. Produced in rolls of 25 meters, 1000 mm wide. The density of the material is 195 g / m2. This means that they will serve the owner without replacement for more than 30 years. It is very difficult to damage them even by accident, practically impossible.Italian designers have developed original patterns for canvases, which favorably distinguish Novelio brand products from standard "Christmas trees", "matting", "rhombuses", etc. Average cost of a roll: 4078 rubles.
Advantages:
- original design;
- durability;
- increased strength;
- environmental friendliness.
Disadvantages:
- not identified.
3 Brattendorf B021 Rain
High quality wallpaper made in Germany, with a density of 270 g / m2. This ensures the durability of the wall covering for over 30 years. In order to make changes to the interior from time to time, Brattendorf B021 fiberglass wallpaper can be painted every two or three years. This is enough for a thirty-year service life. Roll length 25 meters, width 1000 mm. Average cost: 9360 rubles.
Advantages:
- strength and durability;
- environmental friendliness and fire resistance;
- original design.
Disadvantages:
- high price.
2 Vitrulan Aqua Plus 604 phantasy micro crepe
The canvases of the well-known German brand Vitrulan have always been distinguished by their innovation. The Aqua Plus 604 phantasy micro crepe is a vivid confirmation of this rule. In the process of sticking them on the walls, there is no need to select a pattern, therefore, the amount of waste (scraps) is significantly reduced. In addition, the owners of these fiberglass wallpapers do not need to buy glue and smear the walls with it, since it has already been applied to the seamy side of the canvas at the factory.
The cloth is immersed in water, then a piece of the required length is cut off from the roll, applied to the wall and smoothed with a special spatula, removing air. Another significant difference between this type of coating is the absence of small volatile glass particles, for protection from which it is necessary to resort to protection of the skin, eyes and respiratory organs. And finally, for coloring the Vitrulan Aqua Plus 604 phantasy wallpaper, one coat of paint is enough, since the first coat, like the glue, is applied to them in the factory. The material, with a density of 200g / m2, is packed in waterproof boxes, which are used as dishes for immersing the canvas in water. Roll length: 25 meters, width - 1000 mm. The average cost is 9400 rubles.
Advantages:
- no need to spend money on glue;
- factory paint layer saves time and costs for paints and varnishes;
- no need to customize the pattern;
- high density and durability of the coating;
- the sticker process is greatly simplified.
Disadvantages:
- high price.
1 Vitrulan Acoustic 904 Labyrinth
Vitrulan specialists have developed a wall covering, the parameters of which are simply unique. A sound-absorbing coating is applied to the reverse side of the canvas. Adhered to walls and ceilings, they halve the acoustic load (noise). Ideal finishing material for apartments, offices, hospitals and kindergartens. In addition to the acoustic effect, Vitrulan Acoustic 904 Labyrinth works as insulation. By purchasing this product, the owner receives a durable, environmentally friendly wall covering, insulation and a sound-absorbing membrane. The density of the fabric is 610 g / m2. The dimensions of the roll are non-standard - 10.4x0.96 m. The cost of the roll is 20866 rubles.
Advantages:
- durable;
- extremely durable;
- environmentally friendly;
- expanded functionality of decorative reinforcing, soundproof and heat-insulating parameters.
Disadvantages:
- small roll size;
- extremely high price.
Fiberglass wallpaper is a rather expensive product, especially when large areas of walls and ceilings are subject to repair. However, do not forget that by purchasing it, the owner will receive an extremely durable and versatile decor, the acquisition costs of which are repaid many times over the period of operation. It can be easily cleaned from any dirt, including the use of a stiff brush and cleaning agents.
Walls with such a coating can be painted over and over again, changing their appearance from time to time. They inhibit the growth of mold and mildew. It is easy to work with them, and you do not need to have special skills.They have only one drawback - the need to protect the skin, eyes and respiratory organs from the smallest glass particles formed when cutting the material. But even this can be avoided by using Aqua Plus canvases from branded manufacturers at an affordable price. The editors of the site hope that our review will help buyers navigate among the numerous manufacturers and samples of glass-cloth wallpaper and not make mistakes when choosing.