ᐅ Ceilings/Walls – textured wallpaper or decorative quartz finish

Hello everyone,

We are currently still in the comparison phase between two general contractors and are now trying to bring both to the same level.

Regarding cost estimates:

- Ceilings and walls fully covered with woodchip wallpaper
- Ceilings and walls fully covered with decorative quartz paint

Which should be estimated higher (materials + labor), and by approximately what percentage? This is so we can roughly estimate the costs in advance.

Thanks!

Bauretter99 schrieb:

Then the textured wallpaper is definitely of higher quality since it will be wallpapered and painted.

Is there something that is even less “high quality” than textured wallpaper? At least it’s likely to be significantly more expensive.

I find a skim coat plaster with a 1mm grain size absolutely elegant and would definitely prefer it. Woodchip wallpaper can be more easily damaged or show problem areas on edges over time depending on use. I have often worked with skim coat plaster myself, from the company Haering, and it was absolutely excellent. You can tint it from the start or repaint it later as desired, including applying color washes.

From a basic feeling, this would be my clear favorite; the likely necessary, cost-driving work steps for woodchip wallpaper would not make it look better in the end result. Woodchip wallpaper always reminds me of the 1970s and 1980s, when it was used everywhere; but that is just my personal view.

Bauretter99 schrieb:

Nothing special, but at least solid.

And that’s why it’s commonly found in rental apartments. In a privately owned home, it’s arguably the least preferable option. Visually, almost anything else looks better (painter’s fleece, wallpaper, decorative plaster...). But of course, it’s a matter of personal taste.

Bauretter99 schrieb:

Woodchip wallpaper is not bad. Nothing special but at least solid. Painted plaster is paint applied a bit more thickly. In that case, Alpenkalk roll plaster is even better than painted plaster. I would definitely choose wallpaper. But to each their own.

Not quite.
In woodchip wallpaper, quartz sand is also included, usually 1mm or 2mm (about 0.04 or 0.08 inches), though I clearly prefer 1mm (0.04 inches). That’s why it’s called “decorative quartz” and not “decorative paint.”
That’s quite a statement... I recommend the original poster to see the result “live” somewhere. Whenever I see woodchip wallpaper, it gets removed. I’ve visited countless apartments with acquaintances; in the cheaper/basic apartments, woodchip wallpaper was used 100% of the time.
Both options certainly work, but before woodchip wallpaper, I would definitely choose painter’s fleece, which can then be painted or covered with painted plaster.

Bauretter99 schrieb:

It’s also a cost issue whether you can afford to spend another 30k+ on Q4-level finishing and plaster in a new build that already costs 600–700k.

That’s not necessarily required. Depending on the preparation, painted plaster can be applied directly over a primer on the plaster, which often works fine. If not, then painter’s fleece with paint or painted plaster on top is an option.
I wouldn’t put cheap woodchip wallpaper on the walls of a stylish, expensive house; for something I look at all day, I wouldn’t choose a product that looks cheap.

Bauretter99 schrieb:

If it were up to that, I would also like real gold faucets...

It's also a matter of taste... I don't know anyone who would want to decorate their house with gold.