How Can You Tell a Quality Wallpaper?

You can tell a quality wallpaper from five things: its backing, its weight, how crisp the print and embossing are, the durability symbols on the label and the manufacturer details. Price alone is not a measure; very different products sell at the same price.

Backing and weight

Non-woven (vlies) backing does not change size when it gets wet, so the seams stay closed and the paper strips off dry years later. A heavy, full-bodied paper hides small flaws in the wall, while a thin, light one shows every mark underneath.

Print, embossing and edges

Pattern edges should be sharp and colour transitions clean. On embossed designs the relief looks deep and evenly spread. If the edge of the roll is cut straight, the strips meet on the wall without a visible line.

Four checks you can do in the shop

• Hold the sample up to the light: if you can see through it, the paper is thin.
• Press the embossing with your finger: the texture should not flatten.
• Read the label: look for at least two waves and a full sun symbol.
• Compare the batch numbers on the rolls: for one wall they must all be the same.

Is expensive wallpaper always good quality?

No. The price reflects the brand, the design licence and import costs as much as the material. A mid-priced paper with a non-woven backing and good washability outlasts an expensive but thin one.

Wallpapers made in Europe also carry the CE mark and the manufacturer's name on the label, usually with the fire class. You can browse imported collections at ithalduvarkagit.com and handle the samples in our Erdeco showroom in Esenkent.