Interior Wall Coverings: Prices and Characteristics

By Editorial Team

Updated on November 7, 2023

Are you looking to learn more about the different types of interior wall covering materials? There are so many different options available that one can easily feel lost when faced with the idea of choosing one over another. In order to help you find the material that best suits your needs and taste, here is an overview :

wall covering

Source: Canva

Wallcoverings come in a wide variety of shapes, textures and forms. They can be used to hide the imperfections of a wall and improve the home's general look. There are so many different options that can be used in any type of interior decor.

If you are looking for a unique look, you may want to opt for bright colours, However, if you prefer something that is more subdued, neutral colours give a look that is both clean and refined. Different wall coverings exist for every room and every taste.

Nothing is keeping you from painting your kitchen yellow and installing wallpaper in the bedroom. You could also choose to make an accent wall instead of keeping everything looking the same. There are so many possibilities: let your imagination run wild! The installation process can either be very simple or very complicated, depending on the type of material that you choose. 

You should also know that you will have to prepare the surface of the wall according to the type of material that you will apply. The most popular wall covering materials are paint, decorative panels, wood and its derivatives, brick, stone, ceramic and concrete. The following chart will cover the pros, cons and prices of each material.

Different types of wall covering materials and their prices

Wallcoverings

Pros

Cons

Prices

Paint

  • A wide array of colours;
  • Different finishes;
  • Customizable;
  • Inexpensive;
  • Easy to apply.

  • Less durable;
  • No texture;
  • In some cases, may cause toxic emanations;
  • The surface must be prepared beforehand.

Gallon starting at $40

Wallpaper

  • A wide array of colours;
  • Different textures and designs;
  • Customizable;
  • Affordable.

  • Hard to install;
  • Hard to remove;
  • Not very resistant against humidity;
  • Fragile.

From $1 to $100 and more per roll (10m x 0.5m)

 

Decorative panel

  • Customizable;
  • Unique;
  • Different textures and designs;
  • Durable;
  • Easy maintenance;
  • Resistant.

  • Price;
  • The surface must be prepared beforehand.

From $24 to $120 per panel

Wood and derivatives

  • Different textures, colours and designs;
  • Resistant;
  • Easy maintenance;
  • Hides imperfections.

  • Can be hard to install;
  • Less resistant against humidity.

$1,20 to $15 per sq.ft.

Bricks and imitation bricks

  • Unique;
  • Durable.

  • Hard to install

starting at $7 per sq.ft.

Stone and imitation stone

  • Unique;
  • Durable.

  • Price
  • Maintenance

Starting at $8 per sq.ft.

Ceramic

  • Customizable;
  • Durable;
  • Easy maintenance.

  • The surface must be prepared beforehand
  • Cold
  • Easy to break

$1,50 to $8,50 per sq.ft.

Concrete

  • Modern and customizable look;
  • Resistant;
  • Easy maintenance;
  • Retains heat.

  • Hard to install
  • The surface must be prepared beforehand

Starting at $14,50 per sq.ft.

The prices included in this chart are subject to change depending on the product, the location and the store where it was bought. If you decide to hire professionals to install the wall covering material, the cost of labour will have to be taken into account when calculating your budget. 

To find out about the average prices of different home renovation projects, check out our Home renovation price guide. 

Get 3 renovation quotes for your wall panel installation project

RenoQuotes.com can help you get quotes for your wall panel installation. If you submit your project to us, we’ll put you in contact with the most suitable contractors for your project. Fill in the form on our homepage (it only takes a few minutes), and you will receive quotes from companies which specialize in wall coverings.

Dial 1-844 828-1588 to speak with one of our customer service representatives.


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