Why isn't wallpaper more popular? - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

Chris G · 07-28-2008, 06:25 PM

Do people still think it comes in felt finish or something? I have seen some incredible stuff at the paint store. Beautiful paper.

What's the deal? Do people think it's too permanent maybe? Like once you wallpaper, there's no turning back without a lot of pain in the arse removal?

Is it expensive?

Just wondering really...

Jason W · 07-28-2008, 06:45 PM

For me? It's nothing but an invitation for a mold fest!

neolitic · 07-28-2008, 07:07 PM

It's cyclic, like painted trim/stained trim.
It never goes away when people want
to pay for a quality product....
and a skilled installer

Jason W · 07-28-2008, 07:17 PM

Not to mention it's mass produced "art"......

No Faux Zone!

neolitic · 07-28-2008, 07:24 PM

I'm gonna go out on a limb here,
and guess that you don't much care
for wall coverings?

Mike Finley · 07-28-2008, 07:28 PM

I'd think it has to do with a customers perceptions. Most customers last contact with wall paper was something old and out-dated that was a nightmare to get off the walls. With that as your last experience would you want more of it?

There are some really nice wall papers available, but few customers seem to care.

mickeyco · 07-28-2008, 07:30 PM

Illegal aliens too short to hang it?

**genecarp** · 07-28-2008, 07:32 PM

we just did a paper, it was a beautiful striped blue in a walk in closet, looked like a high end mens store, i still use and love paper

Jason W · 07-28-2008, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickeyco

Illegal aliens too short to hang it?

Thats got to be it! I'll bet if they could hang paper for half the cost of a good paint job that crap would be flying off the shelves right now!

Neo,
You've made a safe assumption.

rbsremodeling · 07-28-2008, 07:38 PM

Because unlike paint, 0nce the wall paper is up you cant change the color. Once its up its yours for LIFE

neolitic · 07-28-2008, 07:42 PM

I think people have seen too many
poorly done DIY installs.
And in my opinion it takes a
good eye and good taste to pick the
right paper for the right room.
Way more often than not it's too busy,
too overbearing, wrong color choice.....

chris n · 07-29-2008, 04:58 AM

I think people have seen too many
poorly done DIY installs.
And in my opinion it takes a
good eye and good taste to pick the
right paper for the right room.

This is definitely part of it and as someone else stated because of improper prep it is hard to remove and as someone else said it goes in cycles and it is more expensive than a coat of paint. Hopefully this attitude will change and I will be busy hanging paper in the future. I am sure the other esteemed paper hangers will have more incite on this situation.

Nigel S. Shorts · 07-30-2008, 09:59 AM

I'd chime in but I'm still laughing my keister off at the illegal alien comment!

FWIW, I live in LA, and THEY have taken over the commercial end, but not so much the residential side, especially the high end market.

TooledUp · 07-30-2008, 10:38 AM

I've actually been asking my customers this question for a few years now. Most of the time the answer is cost and time value. People want to have their room back as fast as possible. It's easier and cheaper to change the color when they want a change than it is to strip and rehang paper. Even a lot of my customers that always had wallpaper are now going for it. In older houses, where maybe the walls aren't really in good enough condition to paint, they are tending to go for a fill, lining paper and paint over rather than wallpaper. Others just prefer a plain colour finish and don't like wallpaper.

DeanV · 08-04-2008, 05:56 PM

I think it is the difficult removal horror stories that too many people have run into. Every customer I have worked for who has had wallpaper removed either by me or who did it themselves before I paint have said they will never wallpaper again. That, and it is just plain evil, kind of like vinyl siding.....