At The Wall Works we offer a variety of colors and various finishes of vinyl. The different kinds of vinyl are matte and glossy.

The main difference between matte and glossy vinyl is the finish. If you’ve ever sent film in to be developed, you have the option of glossy or matte finish on your photographs. Compare those two finishes and you will get a pretty good idea of the differences in matte and glossy vinyl. Another comparison is black patent leather shoes versus regular black leather shoes. The patent leather is very smooth finish with a coat of gloss over the color. Glossy vinyl looks similar and also reflects the light in the same way as your patent leather shoes or your glossy photograph.  It is really a personal preference and both look great.

Matte vinyl has a textured finish and does not glare under lighting.

In order to choose the right vinyl for your particular project, you’ll need to get a feel for the difference personalities of matte and glossy vinyl:

Matte Vinyl

1. Does not glare when indoor light hits it.

2. Has a textured finish.

3. Has an adhesive that is easily removed, even after many years.

4. May not adhere well to certain types of textured walls or textured, unglazed tiles.

5. Outdoor durability is approximately 3 years.

6. Works great on mirrors, glass, most wall surfaces, painted or unfinished boards, and most tile.

Glossy Vinyl

1. Glares when indoor light hits it.

2. Has a smooth finish.

3. Has a more permanent adhesive that is harder to remove from walls. It may even pull paint off the wall after an extended period.

4. Has more colors available.

5. Adheres better to textured walls than matte vinyl.

6. Outdoor durability is approximately 4-8 years, depending on the brand and model number.

7. Works great on mirrors, glass, most wall surfaces, painted or unfinished boards, and tile.

If you still are unsure about which type of vinyl to use, contact us and we will be glad to assist you.