ᐅ Mineral-Based Plaster Instead of Textured Wallpaper?

Color?

Adhesive for parquet flooring? If the parquet is not glued down, then at least the adhesive is in the wood itself (since it is rare that the material is made from a single piece).

Plasticizers etc. in electrical installations.
Synthetic resins in plaster, tile adhesive, grout material.

And the adhesive for the parquet smelled really strong in our case...

So, I would never put wallpaper on the walls again (and definitely not textured wallpaper, that’s really a 70s style…).

We decided on a full lime plaster and didn’t paint it afterwards. It does dust a bit (so you shouldn’t rub the walls).
How long it will keep looking nice? No idea. We don’t have a fireplace (and I definitely wouldn’t do this if you had one, because then the walls tend to get dirty faster), and if it needs painting later, so be it.
Until then, we have beautiful, natural wall surfaces!

Painted plaster might be an option for you as well. Some friends of ours have that, and it looks great too (there are also eco-friendly versions) 🙂

Lucrezia schrieb:
Exactly, that reminds me: one reason why the general contractor (GC) chooses textured wallpaper is that the option "plaster + painting fleece + painting" would otherwise be significantly more expensive

This only makes sense if the GC can save a substantial amount on the plaster surface quality (textured wallpaper then hides the imperfections), otherwise the work steps are the same; although painting fleece is probably somewhat cheaper to install than textured wallpaper.

In your position, I would also consider the long-term perspective—the plaster will last a lifetime, while the wallpaper at best lasts 10-20 years.

Lucrezia schrieb:
From your answers, I understand that it is common to cover walls with wallpaper, even in new builds?

No, most people prefer painter’s fleece or simply plastered walls. Then, if needed, they apply a Q3 or Q4 finish.
However, wallpaper of any kind can cover unevenness and imperfections in the plaster.
Sometimes people choose an accent wall that looks better as wallpaper (there are some nice options now) than a colored latex paint finish.

Lucrezia schrieb:
I think it looks nice. Have you had any experience with plastering before? And roughly how long did it take, working as a pair, for a room about 15 sqm (160 sq ft)?
I’m a bit apprehensive since I have no experience and can’t really estimate the work involved 🙂

Nordlys’s suggestion with quartz sand has the disadvantage that it’s permanent. It’s not easy to remove, unlike wallpaper.
I had a quartz wall in my old house that I did myself back when the dry brush technique was popular.
So you add quartz sand to a neutral paint and create texture, for example applying it with a brush. Even if you liked it before, you have to consider whether you want that look in your new build forever. It does have a somewhat rustic character.

If you only paint over plaster, eventually you’ll have to deal with cracks.

A wall that is only plastered will also collect dust over time. One thing is certain: dust always gets in from everyday living… eventually…

As always, it comes down to personal taste. Plain textured wallpaper is no longer really my thing either. Completely smooth surfaces feel too polished to me; I’m a bit old-fashioned, so I prefer a rougher finish. Our house has a mix of everything. A smooth hallway, rooms with quartz sand texture, smooth ceilings, and kitchens and bathrooms with coarse fiberglass and latex. (Be careful with the chemicals, but we’re still alive, and even the biggest eco-friendly types will eventually succumb to something, that’s just how it is!) Cracking is an issue. But you can fill the cracks with filler and then paint over the spot. In our bedroom, the crack has become practically invisible. It’s really not a big deal.

I have to say, Lucretzia, the way you ask suggests you don’t know much about this, so doing it yourself might not work out well for you. In that case, consider getting advice from a professional painter who knows how everything works. K.

Wickie schrieb:

We chose a full lime plaster finish and did not paint it. It does chalk a bit (you shouldn’t rub the walls).

Lime plaster would be perfect for us 🙂 Did you apply it yourselves, and did you have prior experience? And if it’s more for “advanced” users: is lime plaster a standard task for tradespeople, or do not all of them do it? Also, are the labor costs similar to those for mineral plaster? (Lime plaster is a bit more expensive as far as I know—maybe the application is more complex?)

ypg schrieb:

A wall, even just plastered, will eventually accumulate dust. One thing is certain: dust always comes with living... eventually...

Yes, dust is unavoidable 🙂 However, I’ve noticed that in our rooms with wallpaper, more dust seems to settle than in the other plastered rooms :/

Nordlys schrieb:

The way you ask shows a lack of knowledge on the subject, so DIY probably isn’t a good idea for you. In that case, have a painter advise you—they know how things work. K.

You don’t have to guess from my questions since I clearly say I have no practical experience 🙂 Asking in the forum gives me the chance to understand which direction to take.
So: thank you very much for sharing your experiences 🙂