Lincrusta: Frequently Asked Questions
October 2023
We have been fans of Lincrusta for many years and Frank officially became an Approved Lincrusta Installer in 2015. In our work we are often asked similar questions over and again so we decided that it’s time we publish our most Frequently Asked Questions for all to read.
What is Lincrusta?
What is the difference between Lincrusta and Anaglypta?
Can Lincrusta be painted?
There’s some damage to my Lincrusta dado. Is this design still available?
My Lincrusta frieze is water damaged, can it be restored?
We blocked up a doorway. Is it possible to extend my Victorian Lincrusta dado panelling?
Why employ an Approved Lincrusta Installer?
We hope our answers about Lincrusta and Anaglypta will help to inform your choices when renovating or decorating your homes and commercial spaces.
Q. What is Lincrusta?
Lincrusta textured wallcoverings have been around since 1877 and are made from natural ingredients - a Linseed-based paste pressed onto a backing paper. Lincrusta is available in a range of classic and contemporary designs and currently manufactured in Morecambe, Lancashire, using the same traditional methods. Lincrusta is both water resistant and fire retardant, making it a durable and versatile solution for decorating any room. Available in 10m rolls.
phOTO: LINCRUSTA ‘AMELIA’ BATHROOM FEATURE WALL.
Q. What is the difference between Lincrusta and Anaglypta?
Lincrusta relief wallpaper is solid all the way through to the backing paper. Lincrusta is washable and cures with age making it much more durable than Anaglypta. Anaglypta is an embossed paper pulp, which is hollow and easily flattened when pressed.
Identifying which is which.
Frank’s simple TOP TIP to tell the difference:
Tap the raised relief with your fingernail. If your paper is Anaglypta it will sound hollow compared to tapping the flat area of the wall. Alternatively, try pressing the raised relief with a pin in an inconspicuous area to check it if is solid or hollow.
Q. Can Lincrusta be painted?
As Lincrusta ages, it also ‘cures’/hardens, making it extremely durable, lasting for years to come. That is why you see many installations in period homes still wearing well today. Lincrusta once installed and primed, can be painted in any finish to suit your interior style and personal taste. Add optional decorative finishes to create your own unique backdrop. Just re-paint it for a fresh new look!
Photos: Lincrusta italian renaissance design in a range of paint finishes by frank holmes fine decor.
Q. There’s some damage to my Lincrusta/Anaglypta dado. Is this design still available?
How old is your property? Many of the pre-1939 production rollers were melted down for the war effort, which means those period designs are now out of production. But, don’t worry - if you have a period property with a vintage Lincrusta or Anaglypta design in need of repairs - we have a solution!
The Lincrusta Restoration Kit was developed specifically for restoring beautiful old designs like the one above. This method is also suitable for restoring heritage Anaglypta and other similar relief wallpapers that came to market from the 1870’s to 1900. Frank can make a mould from a good area, enabling him to replicate additional panels as needed for a sympathetic restoration of dados, friezes, wallpaper and ceilings.
Lincrusta and Anaglypta have a partly shared company history. Through our work we love to learn more about the history and designers behind these wonderful old wallpapers. We have a growing archive collection of our own and access to company archives. We wanted to share our discoveries to inspire new generations of Victorian, Edwardian and Georgian homeowners and to help care for these treasures for generations to come.
Read our Lincrusta and Anaglpyta History article below to discover which came first and how they are related.
We have access to both company archives, which helps us to identify designs we are asked to to repair and restore.
Q. My Lincrusta frieze is water damaged. Can it be restored?
Like the previous dado example above, historical Lincrusta friezes can be repaired using the Lincrusta Restoration Kit to make a mould and replicate in panels as needed. In the example below, Lincrusta ‘Amelia’ is a design still in production. This was a relatively simple fix, removing the damage, then replacing with a new section of matching Lincrusta.
Q. We blocked up a doorway. Is it possible to extend my Victorian Lincrusta dado panelling?
The beautiful example below, known to be installed c.1890, is still in remarkable condition. This Victorian mill manager’s house was remodelled to suit modern day family living. The lounge and dining room were knocked through and a doorway blocked up, leaving a section of hallway with no dado. Pre-1939 Lincrusta and Anaglypta designs like this one, no longer in production, can be copied and replicated using a Lincrusta Restoration Kit.
Q. Why employ an Approved Lincrusta Installer?
Lincrusta is a heavy, embossed wallcovering and isn’t installed like a traditional wallpaper. First, each piece of Lincrusta needs to be hand-trimmed before it is installed because the production process creates a protective salvage strip along the roll edges to protect the detail. Also, cutting around features such as fireplaces, etc, can be tricky so know-how for handling Lincrusta is essential.
Frank is an Approved Lincrusta Installer and Restorer with advanced level training from Lincrusta. This means you can be rest assured of the highest standard of workmanship. Frank works across North West England and occasionally beyond. Based near Lancaster, he is ideally positioned to work across Lancashire, the Lake District and into the Yorkshire Dales, taking each enquiry on its merit. He has previously worked on projects in France and in Vancouver, Canada!.
Do you have any more questions you’d like answered?
Thank you for reading this far. If there is anything we’ve not covered, or if you would like some advice about your own project, please comment below or send your enquiry by email to us - email@frankholmesltd.com. We would love to hear from you!
Until next time,
Frank and Amanda
Morecambe, England
email@frankholmesltd.com / 01524 853245
DISCLAIMER:
This is a personal blog. Any views or opinions represented in this blog are personal. They do not represent those of people or organisations that the company may or may not be associated with. Perfectly Frank blog posts are for information and entertainment only. Information is correct only to the best of our knowledge. Frank Holmes Ltd is not liable for any actions undertaken by readers after reading these posts. Please take advice from a qualified professional before making any changes to your property or its contents.
Copyright for all posts: Frank Holmes Ltd.