What effect does humidity have on a wallpaper job?
Humidity has an effect on most wallcoverings, primers and adhesives. There has been much concern in recent years over the growth of mildew behind wallcoverings. The news media in many cases have become hysterical about the issue. But the problem of mildew growth is mainly a problem of a very small area of the United States– the Gulf Coast. Even in that small area the problem of mildew growth can be overcome with breathable type wallcoverings, not solid-vinyl sheets. The best type of wallcovering for high humidity areas remains fabric backed wallcovering. By high humidity areas I am referring to the source of the humidity being inside the house, as in bathrooms, not outside the house as it is on the Gulf Coast. Fabric backed wallcovering has the ability to withstand extended periods of shower moisture over the years and it is the most scrubbable and the least prone to exhibit seams splitting or seam loosening under high humidity conditions.
