Wall Protection Sheets and Planks

Author: Mirabella

Dec. 02, 2024

Construction & Real Estate

Wall Protection Sheets and Planks

Insights from Wally and Floora:

Wally Says:

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Floora, it’s fascinating to think of plastic wall protection sheets as a robust shield for our interiors, offering significant defense against scratches, impacts, and everyday damage. Ideal for spaces with heavy foot traffic or areas where equipment is frequently relocated, these sheets are a smart investment in preserving the look and structural integrity of your walls.

When selecting wall protection sheets and panels, here are some factors to keep in mind:

  • Material Choice and Thickness: Common materials like high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) deliver outstanding durability. The required thickness should align with how much impact resistance is necessary. Beyond plastic, wall protection solutions can be crafted from various materials, including metal and ceramic tiles.
  • Dimensions and Coverage Area: Wall sheets are available in a range of dimensions. Be sure to measure your area accurately to cover all susceptible spots completely.
  • Design and Color: Opt for finishes and hues that coordinate with or enhance your existing interior design. Textured surfaces can also be beneficial in disguising marks and scratches, and you might even find suede finishes for added flair!

Helpful Buying Tip: For areas exposed to high impacts, choose thicker, textured sheets that can better absorb shock and conceal damage effectively.

Floora Says:

Thanks, Wally! No project is too daunting when you see the payoff at the end. Before diving in, here are some suggestions to consider:


  • Preparing the Surface: Make sure that the wall is free of dirt, dry, and smooth. Any irregularities could hinder the adhesive’s effectiveness.
  • Trimming to Fit: If needed, adjust the sheets to fit your targeted areas. Using a straight edge with a sharp blade or saw will ensure clean edges.
  • Applying Adhesive: Adhere to the manufacturer’s guidelines for applying adhesive. Spread it evenly on the back of the sheet, position it carefully, and apply sufficient pressure for a solid hold.
  • Blending Aesthetics: Protection is your first priority, but don't overlook the visual aspect. Choose sheets that either merge well with your wall color or provide a striking contrast to serve as a feature.

Buying Tip: Before commencing, verify that you have all the necessary tools. Don't miss exploring our selection of designer decorative wall panels!

Exploring Wallpaper Options: Full Room vs. Accent Wall

Having lived in nine different rental properties, I've covered many walls with wallpaper! Curiously, I've nearly always opted for an accent wall instead of an entire room—until recently! Today, I’m discussing the key differences between wallpapering a whole room and a single accent wall, how to decide which is right for your space, and essential tips before getting started!

Why I Favor an Accent Wall

The primary reason I consistently prefer wallpapering accent walls (rather than painting or covering an entire room) is that it delivers a dramatic transformation for a relatively modest expense. An accent wall with wallpaper can create an impressive visual impact yet costs a little more than a gallon of paint.

On average, I try to restrict my spending on wallpapered accent walls to around $100. For tips on saving money on wallpaper, see here: Where to Buy Affordable Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper.

Why I Opted for Wallpapering Our Entire Dining Room

Upon first seeing our current dining room, I immediately recognized it as the ideal space for bold wallpaper because:

  • The historical, traditional architecture of the house would be enhanced by suitable wall patterns.
  • The size of the room (with its 9-foot ceilings) initially felt bland and empty. I realized that it would require a lot of color, artwork, and drapery choices to create a stylish, inviting ambiance.
  • The chair rail divides the space, making it common to employ paint on the bottom and wallpaper on the upper half—this accentuates the natural separation.
  • With multiple entrances, expansive windows, and architectural nuances, there wasn’t a clear focal point in this room that naturally warranted an accent wall.

Having wallpapered many different areas, including the high apex wall of our prior master bedroom, I was not intimidated by this endeavor. However, with hindsight, perhaps I should have been! The process of wallpapering an entire room was far more complex than I anticipated!

Comparing Wallpapering an Entire Room Versus an Accent Wall

Cost Considerations

Let's tackle this major point upfront: wallpapering an entire room requires significantly more material than just a single accent wall, which naturally incurs higher costs. This is a straightforward reality, but until you calculate your total roll requirements, the added expense may not fully register.

For simplicity, consider a basic case where the walls measure 8’ x 10’ with standard 24” x 16’ wallpaper lengths. Typically, around five lengths (or three rolls) would be needed per wall.

  • Super Affordable Wallpaper at $6/roll
    • Accent wall = ~$18
    • Whole room = $72
  • High-End Wallpaper at $100/roll
    • Accent wall = ~$300
    • Whole room = ~$1200
  • Average Cost of Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper at $30/roll
    • Accent wall = ~$90
    • Whole room = ~$270

While you may desire a specific look, it’s essential to evaluate whether the overall cost for the entire room aligns with your budget.

Time Investment

Once you master wallpaper installation, a single accent wall can typically be completed in just a few hours, possibly even under one hour depending on wall size.

In contrast, wallpapering an entire room will naturally demand more hours, transforming this project from a simple DIY to a significant home improvement effort.

In my case, our dining room took about a week to complete, allocating a few hours daily (until I either needed a break or the children became restless!).

Visit Duote for more insights.

By the end, rather than feeling accomplished, I was utterly exhausted and just relieved to finish!

Complexity of Installation

When wallpapering a feature wall, the surface is often rather blank—maybe an outlet or a single window—but typically, accent walls are straightforward to work with.

On the flip side, when every wall in a room demands wallpaper, you'll encounter countless elements to work around, including corners, outlets, windows, door frames, and other features, all while matching patterns and seams. Tackling this complexity results in a much more tedious and challenging installation process (think of those tricky corners connecting to adjacent walls!).

Material Waste Consideration

When creating an accent wall, you’re likely to end up with a few leftover pieces of wallpaper after aligning the patterns horizontally across the wall. The amount can vary with different patterns, but generally, this results in about 120-150 inches of scrap wallpaper, which for an average roll of peel-and-stick could equate to around $25 lost.

With a full room installation requiring many more panels, you naturally accumulate a larger amount of waste (especially factoring in all the openings and details). A sizable room can result in upwards of 20-30 vertical panels, leading to nearly 900 inches of leftovers, which potentially means wasting $150 or more on unusable paper.

Though you can repurpose excess paper for lining shelves or decorative projects, it can still sting to feel like you’re throwing away funds.

Aesthetic and Design Impact

While discussing these challenges, it may seem like I’m discouraging you from wallpapering your entire room. To clarify: If you care about cost efficiency, time management, or prefer a quick project, sticking to an accent wall is the way to go.

Yet,there's an undeniable reason to opt for encompassing wallpaper: the transformative design impact. Selecting the right wallpaper can dramatically change the entire character of a room, producing an exquisite and striking aesthetic effect.

Should You Wallpaper an Entire Room?

While I can’t make this decision for you, consider these questions to determine the best option for your space:

  • Should you opt for wallpapering just one wall? Is there a natural focal point in the room, or would a full installation be necessary for the desired pattern to work?
  • Is it within your budget? Assess the wallpaper costs you're eyeing, comparing the expense for a single wall against that for a full room.
  • Are you prepared for the endeavor? While an accent wall is beginner-friendly, wallpapering a whole room requires more skill and patience.
  • How sizable is your room? The investment in time and money will directly correlate with the room’s dimensions. A smaller space, like a bathroom, will reflect a reduced cost; larger areas, like a living room, necessitate greater investment.
  • How long do you plan to remain in your residence? If your style preferences shift often, might the effort and cost be justified?
  • Are there other alternatives? Could you achieve a similar look with paint, stencils, or vinyl decals instead?

Evaluating My Own Wallpapered Dining Room

Let’s get honest!

From an aesthetic standpoint, I am absolutely thrilled with our wallpapered dining room! This wallpaper was undeniably the ideal design choice, and opting for an accent wall wasn’t feasible given the room's configuration.

The elegant yet contemporary Serena and Lily Priano Wallpaper on top combined with the lively blue (Denim by Sherwin Williams) on the bottom creates a breathtaking scene, and I can’t help but feel excited every time I step inside. If I ever truly encapsulated my design taste in one area, this would be it.

However, the effort involved in wallpapering this room was considerable. With high ceilings, aligning patterns was a challenge, and I felt that there were countless doors and corners to navigate.

And while the wallpaper choice is stunning, it came with a higher price tag than I’m used to in my rental properties (especially considering I purchased it on sale!).

To be honest, I typically pride myself on speedy, approachable, and budget-friendly projects everyone can tackle—but this wallpaper endeavor isn’t quite in that same category.

Do I regret it? Not whatsoever.

Yes, we’re renters, and yes, we don’t intend to stay long. Yes, it was pricey and a significant undertaking. Nevertheless, I embrace these substantial projects so that you can understand entirely what lies ahead if you decide to follow the same path.

And the payoff? I get to bask in the beauty of this wonderfully wallpapered room for now!

See You Soon!
Megan

For more information on Translucent Background Wall - Stylish Translucent Decorative Board Solutions, please contact us. We are here to offer expert guidance.

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