Wall Tile vs Wallpaper- Which is Best for your Bathroom?

When it comes to decorating your bathroom, there are plenty of things to consider. Not only do you have to choose the proper color schemes, facets, shelves and more, but you will also have to make the difficult decision of whether to install tile or wallpaper. As difficult as this decision may seem, it will become much easier once you have all the accurate information you’ll need. With that in mind, the following is an overview of tile vs. wallpaper and how to decide which is best for your bathroom.

Longevity

The first thing you may want to consider is how long your chosen materials will last. A high quality wallpaper lasts five to eight years on average. Lesser quality wallpaper lasts far less than that. You’ll also need to consider the environment. Since you are installing it in a bathroom, the moisture may cause it to wear out even sooner. On the other hand, tile can last for up to 50 years or more. While the quality and location of the install do play a factor, it doesn’t make a substantial difference since tile is much more durable than wallpaper.

Replacement Efforts

Depending on which of these you choose to install and where, you may have to think about what will happen when you need to replace it. On the one hand, unless it is improperly installed or otherwise malfunctions, you will not have to replace your bathroom tile anytime soon. However, those who choose to install wallpaper, especially in areas such as the bathroom, replace it every 1-2 years. Although wallpaper can last longer than this, wallpaper is changed more often because it can fade easily and become less trendy.

Cost

Next, you need to focus on the cost of the materials and installation. Obviously, wall tiles are much more expensive to purchase and install than wallpaper. This is because this installation is a much more tedious process, and tile costs more than wallpaper overall. So, if you are considering installing tile in your bathroom, you should know that this will be a more costly investment upfront than wallpaper. But overall, wallpaper needs to be replaced more frequently, which is a recurring cost that can be avoided with wall tile.

Scrub Resistance

Last but not least, you need to consider the level of scratch resistance of the materials of your choosing. Your bathroom is an area that is often heavily cleaned and scrubbed to eliminate germs, odors and more. Tile is highly durable and pretty easy to remove stains from, especially if you clean them regularly. On the other hand, wallpaper is not scrub-resistant at all. While it is possible to wipe things away with a damp cloth and water gently, you will have a difficult time getting stains off of wallpaper. This is another reason it needs to be frequently replaced.

Key Takeaways:

• Both tile and wallpaper have unique advantages.
• Wallpaper is cheap and easy to install but needs to be frequently replaced.
• Tiles are durable, and low maintenance.

The Bottom Line

Overall, while there are some benefits to installing wallpaper in your bathroom, there are far more benefits to installing tile. As long as you can afford to make a moderate investment, bathroom tile looks great, is easy to clean and can last for many decades. Although it may be tempting to install wallpapers to save money, these savings are very short-lived. By investing in tile now, you will be able to enjoy them for many years without having to worry about replacing them any time soon. Either way, no matter if you are looking for tile for the living room, tile for the bedroom, 3 dimensional wall tile or stacked stone wall tile, we are here to serve you. If you are seeking premium quality tile stores, visit one of our six Standard Tile showrooms.