Vinyl is alive and well in the wallcovering and interior furnishings industry. There, I said it. Before you scream, consider this: In a world where the interior design industry is embracing green technology, natural fibers, and eco-friendly processes, our old standby vinyl (a product born from petroleum, no less) is astonishingly still very much an important player in the interior designer’s playbook. And we see that market expanding.

Why? Simply stated, vinyl offers superior performance properties in terms of durability, germ-cleanability and longevity; making it ideal for a wide variety of commercial spaces, including hospitals, hotels and eating establishments. Plus, vinyl is virtually without peer in terms of having a cost-competitive alternative.

Wait, Isn’t Vinyl Full of Toxins?

Not really, unless you decide to make a meal of it, which is not advised under any circumstances.  Seriously, vinyl, or Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) on its own, is not harmful and has been used for over half a century. However, there are additives that were sometimes used to improve vinyl, commonly referred to as plasticizers and stabilizers, including some phthalates, that are proven to be hazardous. These  VOCs, or Volatile Organic Chemicals, were (and sometimes still are) contained in some vinyl products, particularly in industrial applications outside of the wallcovering industry. VOCs can be dangerous as they can leach toxins into the air or (sometimes) through the skin, making long-term exposure dangerous. 

Never experienced a VOC? If you ever enjoyed the aroma of newly installed carpeting or inhaled the smell from a freshly painted wall, you may have experienced the transference of VOCs.  Not to burst your bubble even more, but that new car smell you love so much?  That’s VOCs in action, according to an interesting read from  US News & World Report.

Health concerns arising from the use of plasticizers range from headaches and nausea to causing serious damage to the liver, kidneys, lungs, and reproductive system.  Horrible? Most definitely, and these additives are at the root of why vinyl products once earned a bad reputation in the industry for a time. But things have changed dramatically.

However, today’s vinyl upholstery fabrics and wallcoverings are—in most cases—low in VOCs. Disclosure laws like California’s Prop 65,    forced manufacturers to notify consumers of any potentially harmful exposure limits in their products.  Very quickly, transparency began to transform manufacturing, perhaps with the gentle added pressure from aggressive litigators, powerful environmentalists, and the press who have made it nearly impossible for manufacturers to knowingly build a product with harmful materials.  With today’s hyper-compliant manufacturing attitude, it’s ok to safely use today’s vinyl wallcoverings and upholstery, but please, don’t eat them.

Not Your Dad’s Vinyl

Decorating with vinyl goes back to classic mid-century icons, from those awesome 1950’s red upholstered spinning diner stools, to the imitation leather upholstery lavishing you dad’s tragically vintage reclining chair. People loved vinyl because it wore like iron and stood up to spills and aggressive use. But vinyl products used today are different. It’s akin to comparing a 1957 Chevy to a hybrid. Today’s products are safer, more durable and far, far more design-friendly. Plus, with the advent of 1200 dpi digital printing technology and eco-friendly inks, top quality designs can be economically achieved in smaller lots and on faster turnaround times.

Yes, vinyl upholstery and wallcoverings have grown up.  And, while you can still buy that imitation leather material to embellish your dad’s now well-loved recliner (I mean if you really want to do that), today’s technology delivers unlimited design flexibility and so much more.  For example, ArmorFlex™ technology, a digital printing and protection process, permits designers to convert their unique designs onto upholstery to achieve upscale results while maintaining all the desirable durability (and cleanability) qualities of a traditional vinyl.

 Let’s Call it a Light Green Revolution

Admittedly, vinyl is not exactly a “green” technology.  But, processes such as ArmorFlex™ provide the high  standards demanded today for safety and durability, including: 

• Abrasion durability of up to 500,000 double rubs on Wyzenbeek testing  equipment with #10 Cotton Duck
• Flame retardant ratings, including ASTM E-84: Class C, NFPA701 and even passing CAL 117-2013
• Antimicrobial properties
• Germ-cleanable on a long-term basis
• Formaldehyde-Free
• Phthalate Free
• No Heavy Metals
• No Halogens
• And of course, demonstrating low VOCs.

As we inch toward a post-pandemic reality where hotel, entertainment, and restaurant doors are opening after being closed for so long, their opening is contingent on new cleaning regiments. As such, the need for upholstery and wall coverings that can withstand constant cleanings in public spaces is likely to be permanent.  Vinyl performs exceptionally in these environments at a price that is hard to match from alternatives.

If you are a designer, upholstery firm, or digital printer of wall coverings, adaptation of vinyl should be on your radar. Seriously.  To discuss this article’s contents further, please feel free to contact me at: daren@thecligroup.com.

 https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/best-cars-blog/2016/09/is-that-new-car-smell-toxic#:~:text=The%20new%2Dcar%20smell%20is%20made%20up%20of%20a%20group,the%20construction%20of%20a%20vehicle.&text=Prolonged%20exposure%20to%20VOCs%20can,serious%20health%20effects%2C%20even%20cancer.