Japanese Wallpaper - A Classic Choice
#1: Surface
Most Japanese wallpapers are made of vinyl chloride on the surface, and some of them have textured surfaces that are created with embossing. A few of them have been processed functionally so that they are resistant to starch (as the glue is made from starch) , anti-mould, deodorant and anti-bacterial.
#2 & #3: Backing and Material
The back side of many Japanese wallpapers is made of paper material. As for Honpo's Japanese wallpapers, there is a film attached at the back to prevent the pre-pasted glue from drying up. The grids on the film make it easier to cut the wallpapers at the required amount.
#3 & #4: Glue and Size
The glue is made from starch which makes it water-based. It also has zero formaldehyde emission and is washable by water during installation. The size of an average Japanese wallpaper is 92cm, and there are two-coloured strips on the sides called mimi that is to be cut for pattern matching.
History of Japanese Wallpaper
Wallpapers were introduced from China to Japan during the Heian period. However, instead of being attached to the wall of each home like the current wallpaper, it developed independently as a folding screen, fusuma & shoji. Around the Edo period, gold foil was used for folding screens, and the design aspect became even more important as it was signified as a luxury item and a work of art. Even then, the culture of putting wallpaper on ordinary homes was uncommon.
Nowadays, many wallpapers use various materials such as vinyl chloride, paper and textiles. However, most of the materials used in Japan are mainly vinyl chloride wallpapers. It is said that the penetration rate is more than 90%. As for the color of the Japanese wallpaper, more than 80% are plain white or beige wallpaper. On the other hand, overseas, it is rare that white or beige plain wallpaper is used, and most of the wallpapers are colored or have a pattern or design even if they are plain. It can be said that this area is a difference in national character.
However during the recent years in Japan, as DIY culture is gradually spreading, more and more people are applying their own wallpapers. As the growing number of people who enjoy DIY increases, wallpaper that's colorful with patterns such as wood grain and bricks has become popular. In addition to conventional wallpapers, peelable sticker wallpapers exist and they can be used even in rental properties that need to be restored to its original state. It is also predicted that the future population will ditch plain designs in favor of western designs that have more variety.
With the widespread use of wallpapers and the improvement of R&D in this field, not only wallpapers have rich designs but useful features also have culminated. For example, wallpaper with amazing features such as allergen reduction, deodorization and anti bacterial function are included in the wallpapers produced by each manufacturer. Currently, almost all Japanese wallpaper has anti mould features and this will be more common in the future.
Here at Honpo, we are one of the biggest Japanese wallpaper shops in Singapore, boasting 5 of the biggest brands from Japan (Sangetsu, Lilycolor, Sincol, Toli, Runon). Their wallpapers are equipped with many unique features such as help both cleaning maintenance of wallpapers and deodorization. These wallpapers have special coatings on the front surface that make it easy to remove stains from coffee, soy sauce, water-based markers, etc. They are ideal for use in property entrances and restrooms (dry toilet).
Anti-Bacterial
It prevents bacteria from attaching onto the wallpaper. This is often used in toilets, hospitals and schools.
Water-Repellent
This will be useful for sanitary equipment and in kitchens which are always exposed to water.