Superfresco Paintable Wallpaper is normally used in older properties, sometimes to cover bad plasterwork and other times just to add a bit of character to a room. Manufactured by Graham & Brown, it’s a wallpaper I’ve used a lot as a decorator. It is available in dozens of different patterns, but the quality is consistent.
In the ’80s, a lot of homeowners opted for woodchip. But as a decorator, I seem to have spent most of my working life stripping the stuff. Then we had Anaglypta, which was almost a household name at one point. However, Anaglypta seems to have become less popular over recent years, and Superfresco Paintable Wallpaper is now another popular option. Click here to see full range and online prices.
My Superfresco Paintable Wallpaper Review
There is a reason Superfresco has taken pole position for this type of wallcovering. It’s miles better than Anaglypta ever was! No matter the pattern, you’ll find it thick and easy to handle without ripping or creasing.
It’s one of the only types of paper that I’ve hung on a regular basis and haven’t found a single fault with. It hides a multitude of sins on your walls and ceilings, so prep isn’t quite as important. Another great quality is that it takes paste very well. You can apply a thick layer of paste to the paper and know that the paper won’t disintegrate and the paste won’t show through your finish.
Another great quality is that it cuts well, whether you use an Olfa Knife, scissors or the Superfresco Easy Trimmer – Available online here.
Never overlap the seams!! You can even leave a very slight gap, which then fills with paint, but if you overlap the drops, the seams will show. Another tip is not to rush your soaking times. If it says “10 minutes” on the instructions, wait at least 10 minutes before hanging. Click here to see full range.
Painting Over the Product
Gone are the days when you’d need to prime a paintable wallpaper like this to achieve a good finish with emulsion. You may see some discolouration from the paste before you paint, but this should easily cover. Adhesion to the paper is no problem with a good-quality matt emulsion.
The only thing to bear in mind with the tighter patterns is picture framing (where you can see your cutting-in). The paint seems to gather from your brush and fill the pattern, whereas your roller spreads the paint a lot more sparingly.
Just be conscious of the issue when you paint, and you will avoid the problem!! Use a stiff brush, dilute your paint slightly if the manufacturer allows, and just spread it out. Better yet, have a mini roller with you and go over your cutting-in as you apply it. Click here to see full range and current prices.
Review Summary
Superfresco Paintable Wallpaper Review - Decorator's forum UK
An embossed wallpaper you can apply to a ceiling or wall before painting.
Product Brand: Superfresco
4.3
Pros
- Very easy to work with.
- Absorbs paste well.
- Any tryp of paint will adhere to it.
- Hides imperfections on bad plastering.
- It has a ‘period’ look, so suits older buildings.
Cons
- Some people think it looks a little outdated. I wouldn’t install it in new homes, but think it looks good in the right place.
- You might look at a wall papered in Superfesco Paintable Wallpaper, and automatically assume it’s to hide bad plasterwork.
FAQs
Is paintable wallpaper any good?
Paintable wallpaper is great, particularly if you have walls that are in bad condition. Simply hang it, then paint. There are hundreds of patterns to choose from, and you can use a wide range of paint finishes and colours.
How long does paintable wallpaper last?
Something like Superfresco Paintable Wallpaper can last for many years unless it gets ripped, damaged or you decide to remove it. Just repaint as you need to.
What are the benefits of paintable wallpaper?
- You can choose any pattern you like.
- You can paint over it again and again when you come to redecorate.
- It hides imperfections on your walls and ceilings.
Do I need to use a primer on paintable wallpaper?
No, paintable wallpaper does not normally need to be primed before painting. It provides a good base for a suitable emulsion paint.
How many times can you paint paintable wallpaper?
You can paint paintable wallpaper multiple times. If you choose one with a tight pattern, paint can eventually build up after several repaints, and you may start to lose some of the definition in the pattern.
What kind of paint do you use on paintable wallpaper?
You can coat paintable wallpaper with a good-quality emulsion paint.
Only product l always had problems with is superfresco “plaster” pattern it’s bad for swelling edges always has been.
Plus a ridiculous drop pattern you can hardly even see…
That pattern is a PITA to hang but generally super fresco is a cut above the rest of textured wallpapers.
PPG easytex range for example is a lot softer and not as good to hang.
Hi there,
Wondering if you have tried using this over melamine? I have an old laundry cupboard i would like to bring back to life. Thanks
The worst paper I have had the misfortune in hanging. I have hung many papers over time but have not had so many problems as I had with this product. Will never use again
Have used Super Fresco in the past many times and never had any problems, but using it recently it seems that it’s not the same?
I “ tried” to put it on a ceiling, pasted the first length up and left for the recommended time, when I picked it up off the paste table it felt like a wet rag and had gone too soft?
I got half way across the ceiling and the weight of the past started ripping the paper, took it down and tried another
piece of paper but encountered the same problem, so just binned it and decided to use something else !
Complete waste of time and money.