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Wallpaper Types Explained:
Choosing the Right Material for Your Walls

A beautiful wallpaper finish starts long before the first strip goes on the wall. Behind every pattern is a material designed for a specific purpose — smoothing uneven plaster, adding durability to busy spaces, or making installation easier. This guide explains the different wallpaper types, how they perform in real homes, and where each works best, so you can choose with confidence rather than guesswork.

Why Wallpaper Materials Matter

Two wallpapers can look similar on the roll but behave completely differently once they’re on the wall. Thickness, texture and construction affect how well a paper hides imperfections, how easily it hangs and how it copes with everyday wear. Choosing the right material means fewer visible joins, better adhesion and a finish that still looks good months — and years — later. Understanding this first makes every other decorating decision much simpler.
Anaglypta Maxwell - RD0671 Luxury Textured Vinyl

Quick Comparison Guide – Anaglypta Paintable Papers

Wallpaper Type Material Paste-The-Wall Dificulty Durability
Armadillo Pure textured reinforced paper ✓ Easy High
Armadillo Contract Pure textured reinforced paper
Extra Wide 75cm rolls		 ✓ Easy – Medium High
Dado Panels Pure Paper & Expanded Vinyl ✓ Easy – Medium Medium
Luxury Vinyl Pure Paper & Expanded Vinyl ✘ Easy Medium
Original Pure Paper, Duplex Composite
(Two Layers)		 ✘ Medium – Hard High
Popular Vinyl Pure Paper & Expanded Vinyl ✘ Easy Medium
Precision Embossed Pure Paper & Expanded Vinyl ✘ Easy Medium
Supaglypta Reinforce, Pure Embossd Paper ✘ Medium Very High

Notes, Hints and Tips on Anaglypta

Expanded Vinyl becomes more durable once paint has been added, so don’t worry too much about the spongy feel of an unpainted roll.

Dado Panel designs Baroque and Nouveau are ideal for under dado rails that go along stairs.

Luxury Vinyl, Popular Vinyl and Precision Embossed are all similar substrates, just different pattern collections.

For paste-the-paper Original and Supaglypta, we recommend adding 5 minutes to the soaking time noted on the label for good measure. This will make fitting easier, helping eliminate shrink-back and bubbles when painting.

Original and Supaglypta are traditionally embossed papers, so don’t have a flat back. Use plenty of paste/adhesive.

Quick Comparison Guide – Anaglypta Pre-Coloured Papers

Wallpaper Type Material Paste-The-Wall Dificulty Durability
Brick Collection Reinforced paper &
Coloured Expanded Vinyl		 ✓ Easy Medium – High
Highlights Reinforced paper &
Coloured Expanded Vinyl		 ✘ Easy Medium – High
PTW Colour Reinforced paper &
Coloured Expanded Vinyl		 ✓ Easy Medium – High
Vynaglypta Reinforced paper &
Coloured Expanded Vinyl
Metalic Finish		 ✘ Easy Medium – High

Notes, Hints and Tips on Anaglypta

The depth and quality of the pre-coloured brick collection is exceptional. We appreciate this may be hard to see online, so order a free sample.

Anaglypta Princess Street - RD411 PTW Brick Collection

Paintable & Textured Wallpapers

Textured wallpapers are designed to add depth rather than colour, which is why most are intended to be painted once hung. This makes them especially useful for covering uneven surfaces and creating a durable finish that can evolve with your scheme over time. Some collections are supplied pre-coloured, but the majority allow you to choose your own paint shade — giving you far more flexibility than a printed pattern alone.

Anaglypta Wallpaper

A traditional embossed wallpaper designed to add texture and strength to tired walls. Its raised patterns hide imperfections and create a paintable surface that can suit both period features and modern schemes. Often chosen for hallways and ceilings, it’s a practical decorative finish rather than just a background covering.

Anaglypta Lining Paper

Primarily used to smooth and prepare walls before decorating, lining paper creates a more even base for paint or wallpaper. Different grades offer different levels of coverage, from light surface improvement to masking minor cracks and marks. It’s often the simplest way to improve results before applying a final finish.

Anaglypta Woodchip

A durable, paintable wallpaper containing small wood fibres that add subtle texture. Frequently used in rental or high-traffic spaces, it provides a tough, refreshable surface that can be repainted multiple times. The finish is more functional than decorative but works well where practicality matters most.
Explore Anaglypta Further

Durable & Washable Wallpapers

Some rooms need more than decoration — they need protection. Kitchens, bathrooms and busy family spaces benefit from wallpapers designed to resist moisture, marks and regular cleaning. These materials prioritise durability and practicality while still offering a finished look, making them a reliable choice where painted walls would quickly show wear. Don’t forget to use a suitable bathroom paint for these areas when painting paintable vinyl papers.

Anaglypta Expanded Vinyl Wallpaper

A wipeable wallpaper with a protective surface layer that helps resist stains and moisture. Well suited to kitchens, bathrooms and high-traffic areas, it offers an exbossed decorative finish while remaining easy to maintain. Heavier than standard papers, it requires careful hanging but rewards with long-term durability.

Heavy Duty Contract Wallpaper

Designed for commercial or high-wear environments, this thicker wallpaper focuses on strength and longevity over delicate detail. It handles knocks, frequent cleaning and repeated use, making it a practical option for hallways, rentals and utility areas where ordinary wallpapers would struggle. These wide rolls make it a quicker installation too.
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