DECORATING : Lean on Hard Wall Paints That Stand Up to Abuse

Decorative appeal may be important when redoing interior walls, whether you’re using paint, paper or fabric-backed covering. But durability is key, especially in well-used rooms.

Some wall-coverings and paint--fabric-backed vinyl and high-gloss enamel--are inherently more scrubbable than others, so they’re good for areas that will see a lot of action.

Scuffs and stubborn stains on fabric-backed vinyl wall-coverings can be attacked with a brush. Some vinyls also have extra coatings, making them more stain-resistant or more tolerant of abrasive cleaning. Vinyl-coated wallpaper also offers some protection against soil since it can be wiped with a damp sponge.

Whether vinyl or paper, coated or not, coverings with texture, pattern and dull finish are more forgiving of finger marks, airborne dirt and scuffs than bright, shiny coverings with a smooth finish.

For a humid room, such as a bath or kitchen, choose a vinyl or vinyl-coated wall-covering. Before hanging it, apply a primer with a mold- and mildew-retardant chemical and allow it to thoroughly dry. These primers are available in colors, so choose one nearest to the background color of the wall-covering.

While wall-coverings are tested by their manufacturer for performance, the results are rarely published. But Bruce Barden, director of technical services for Gencorp Polymer Products in Columbus, Miss., predicts that is likely to change in the next few years.

Barden, chairman of an industry group working on the residential standard, says he expects wall-coverings to be graded for high or medium durability or for decorative use only. They will be graded for resistance to fading and stains, washability, color transfer to other fabrics (known as crocking) and flammability. Such an industry standard would make it easier to compare brands for wear, he says.

In the meantime, the best guide is the manufacturer’s claims typically printed in the front or back of the wallpaper sample book.

Consumers should be aware of industry terminology before buying. Washable means a wall-covering can be wiped with a sponge and a mild detergent. Scrubbable means the covering is tough enough to stand up to cleaning with a brush.

Peelable means the top layer can be pulled off the wall, leaving a thin coat of paper or paste. It’s best to remove the residue before putting up a new covering, but it’s necessary only if you plan to paint. Strippable means a wall-covering will come off in one step down to the adhesive, which can be wiped off with warm water.

Prepasted and strippable vinyl coverings are easier to apply and remove, and 20 1/2-inch widths are easier for a do-it-yourselfer to manipulate than 27-inch widths.

If you opt for paint over wall-covering, there’s a simple formula for choosing the type best for your walls: flat paints for ceilings throughout the house, eggshell for walls in low-traffic areas such as living rooms and master bedrooms, pearl finishes or shinier for hallways, baths, kitchens and kids’ rooms.

Durability of paint finish is closely tied to sheen levels, says Ken Charbonneau, design director for the Benjamin Moore Co. in Edison, N.J. The higher the sheen, the more scrubbable the paint, because high-sheen paints--normally enamels--dry to a harder finish and can tolerate more abrasion. All sheen levels are available in both water-base and oil-base paints.

Each paint company has its own paint descriptions, but most also use the standard terminology somewhere on the can. Standard descriptions for sheen levels, in rising order: flat, eggshell, pearl, satin, semi-gloss and high gloss. On a small sample such as a paint chip, there may appear to be little change from one level to the next. On the wall, however, the difference is more evident.

To decide what sheen you need, consider the condition of the walls as well as how often they are likely to be scrubbed. While higher sheens are more durable, they reflect more light, thus magnifying any surface flaws. So if walls are less than perfect, select lower sheen levels.

Special finishes can be a royal road to decorative interest and durability. High sheen paints are usually called for in treatments such as sponging, glazing, rag-rolling and strie or combing. Consequently, they offer both durability and decorative interest. The mottled colors of the finishes also hide scuffs and fingerprints.