Vinyl. This is the ubiquitous “go-to” wallpaper for high traffic homes, kitchens, bathrooms and children bedrooms and play areas. It is washable, long-lasting and reasonably priced. Easy to live with and simple to clean, vinyl is a low maintenance product. The sheer volume of designs, patterns and textures is mind-boggling. 

• Non-woven. A modern, durable wall covering, non-woven material is a blend of natural and synthetic fibers. It is breathable and resistant to tearing. Non-woven wallpapers can be washed and hide wall flaws. Normally this will paste to the wall where adhesive material is placed on the wall instead of the long rolls cut to precise measurement.

   

  

• Grasscloth. Offering the organic feel of nature, this choice also carries texture and depth which is nearly impossible to imitate. Grasscloth is made with natural fibers like eco-friendly arrowroot, jute, hemp and bamboo. The backing is paper. Because dye absorption varies, color striations create interest for their uneven distribution. It is more delicate to maintain and easy to stain. 

  

  Textile/fabric. These products are woven with fibers such as cotton, linen and blends. They can be expensive and luxurious looking, but are tricky to clean, prone to fading and not suitable for humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms. There is a sound-reduction quality along with beauty and texture and the fact that you can customize any fabric into wallpaper.

  

  Flocked or Flock. For those who crave a luxurious wall covering in raised, velvet-like, fuzzy patterns, flocked is the indulgence for them. It is dramatic wherever it goes. This requires special installation tactics and cleans best with a soft vacuum brush. Suitable in low traffic areas without sunlight on it, flocked wallpaper delivers a rich, sophisticated, interior statement.

  

  Silk. Yet another luxury option in the interior wallpaper world, silk projects an exquisite natural sheen, rich color and very delicate texture. It is like pure luxury paired with zero forgiveness. It stains easily and is especially sensitive to moisture and sunlight. Though silk is the strongest of all natural textiles, it can be a challenging wallpaper choice.

  

  Metallic. Here is a super fun, reflective wallpaper that can majorly brighten and figuratively enlarge any room. It offers a contemporary, luminous sensation and adds a real pop for an accent wall. Walls must be perfectly smooth as this will highlight flaws. It is expensive to buy and install, but it raises the bar on shine in any space. 

  

  Mural. The dynamic beauty, size, colors and scenes in murals can take you right out of the room and into the jungle, countryside, oceanfront or anywhere from the comfort of your own home. These are usually non-woven or vinyl products, easy keepers with high visual impact. Precision installation is a must.

  

  Acrylic-coated. This version of wallpaper has an acrylic coat on top, making it breathable, scrubbable and moisture resistant. It is the eco-friendly counterpart to vinyl, often with embossed patterns which result from the coating process. The acrylic layer is thinner than the vinyl one, so it is more porous if not quite as durable. 

  

  Pure paper. Mimicking the traditional wallpapers of yesteryear, these classics present old-school charm in a million or more patterns. Ideal for the purist in historic home renovation, paper is fragile and difficult to clean. Many of the current paper wallpapers  are made from recycled paper, and some feel that alone promotes a healthy interior environment.  

  

  Peel-n-Stick. Here is a wallpaper product that looks good on paper, but may not perform as well as expected. It is cheap and removable with all the designs under the sun. However, the adhesive does not have the strength of glue, and wall preparation is a project unto itself. It will not adhere to any textured surface, and it takes a keen set of eyes to perfectly match patterns.

  

  Fabric-backed Vinyl (commercial). Thick, durable and moisture-resistant, this wallpaper is a common choice in hotels, restaurants and offices. It is thicker for heavy-duty wear and tear and comes in wider bolts than residential wallpapers. There are myriad patterns and colors to choose from, and once installed by Paintworks professionals, will last a long time in a busy interior environment.

5 Things to Consider: