One of the most frequent questions I get from decorators and home owners is: What is the difference between American and English wallpapers?
What’s the difference?
Well, there used to be little difference between American and English wallpapers. But not anymore. In the past, the big difference was how the wallpapers were packaged and sold. American wallpaper sold in thirty-six (36) square foot double roll bolts and English paper sold in eleven (11) yard rolls. Things started changing in the late 1970s with the DIY (do it yourself) revolution in America.
Here’s a breakdown of the current differences between American and English wallpaper…
Cost
American wallpapers went up in price when they added washable coatings and pre-paste for do-it-yourself installation. To manage the cost increase, American manufacturers decreased the roll size to match the English size, from 36 square feet per roll to 28 square feet per roll. Today, the amount of square footage is about the same for both American and English wallpapers. In the past, you got more for your money with American wallpaper.
So which costs more today? The cost of the wallpaper is about the same. Installation of English papers costs a bit more because you may have to install a liner paper to protect the wallpaper from moisture damage.
Ease of Installation
Pre-pasting and vinyl coating did not make wallpaper installation any easier. It just made American wallpaper less difficult to damage. Most wallpaper gets ruined during installation because the printed surface gets smudged or stained by overhandling, tearing or washing paste off the surface. So, it makes sense to vinyl coat the wallpaper if you are selling directly to the home owner.
English wallpaper takes more skill to install because the printed surface is not protected by vinyl coating. It requires skill to paste the paper and adhere to the wall.
Quality
The actual quality of the wallpapers varies by manufacturer regardless of country of origin. Obviously, quality is related to price but you can get good quality designed wallpapers from both countries. English wallpaper feels more old-fashioned and traditional because it is not coated.
Last thoughts…
I have a bias for wallpaper that looks and feels like wallpaper. So in my house, I use English wallpapers in the major rooms and American wallpapers in high traffic places - stairwells, kitchen, and baths.
My recommendations?
- For bedrooms, dining rooms, living rooms, low traffic areas, nothing is better than a nice, traditional English wallpaper.
- For high traffic areas, areas that may incur possible damage from splatters or water, or areas where people put their hands on the wall, go with American vinyl coated papers.
- If you are spending money for a beautiful paper that will last you 15-30 years, use a professional wallpaper hanger and have them properly prepare the walls.
- Look to the left of this article. Go to the showrooms I recommend and the list of historic wallpapers to search for American and English papers that you like. Always ask your decorator or showroom manager if the papers have a vinyl coating. That’s how you’ll know whether it is American or English.
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