Hanging Wallpaper

Wallpaper has been one of the popular and widely used materials for interior decor. Whether it be your bedroom, passages or a baby nursery, the right wallpaper can create the type of decor you need. While, for most of us, application of wallpaper is better done by professionals, there are many who do this task for themselves. You may also try hanging wallpaper; if you have enough time and patience for the same. You don't have to search for the right wallpaper hanger (professionals trained in this job). All you have to do is to gather the required material and begin with the task.

It is always recommended to remove the old wallpaper, before applying a new one. But, you may also do it vice versa. In other words, if the conditions are suitable, you may hang wallpaper over the existing wallpaper. In both cases, you have to do certain preparations.

What to do Before Hanging Wallpaper Over Wallpaper

If you want to hang wallpaper over wallpaper, assess the condition of the existing one. It will be better to avoid hanging new wallpaper over vinyl-coated wallpaper. As we all know, wallpaper application requires a porous surface that vinyl coated ones may not provide. You may either go for removal of the existing vinyl wallpaper and hanging the new one, or else, try a vinyl-to-vinyl primer on the surface of the existing wallpaper. In the latter case, let the primer dry out completely, before applying the new wallpaper. Otherwise, the adhesive in between the old and new wallpaper will stay wet and develop mold and mildew. If the old wallpaper is a regular one, make sure that it has a single layer only. Otherwise, refrain from hanging the new one over the old. If it is single layer wallpaper, make sure its surface is smooth, by sticking the loose ends, sanding surfaces and removing bubbles. You must also check whether the old paper would bleed ink. Remove a small piece and dip it in water for a few seconds, before wiping with a sponge. If you find ink on the sponge, then, apply stain sealing primer over the old wallpaper and let it dry, before hanging the new wallpaper. If there is no stains on the sponge, you may proceed to hang wallpaper over the old one, without any primer.

What to do Before Hanging Wallpaper on Wall

Turn off electricity and remove the electrical fixtures, outlet plates, wall plates, etc. Fix the cracks, crevices and holes on the wall, with plaster of spackling compound. The wall should be either painted or primed, so that the adhesive is not absorbed into the wall. In case, the wall has gloss paint, sand it slightly, before hanging wallpaper. Now, wash off the surfaces with a solution made of two cups of bleach per gallon of water. This removes the dirt, as well as the grease and even mold and mildew. Let the wall dry completely, before you hang the wallpaper. In case of a new drywall, applying a coat of white primer will be beneficial. Once the wall is ready, you may start with hanging the new wallpaper.

How to Hang Wallpaper

Collect the required materials like scissors, wallpaper rolls, a clean pasting table, pencil, plumb-line, wallpaper paste, paper hanging brush, soft wall brush and tape measure. Now, you must decide the starting point for hanging wallpaper. It will be better to start from a corner (like the one behind a door). You have to measure the height of the wall and cut wallpaper strips of the same length. Make sure to leave 50 millimeters on both ends and this can be trimmed off afterwards. If the wallpaper has a specific design or pattern, make sure to cut the paper in such a way that adjacent strips match with each other. Mark the top and bottom ends of both strips, so as to avoid confusion at the time of hanging wallpaper. Now, make an inconspicuous line, along the plumb line (with the pencil). The distance between the starting point and the line must be a few millimeters less than the width of the roll. This is essential, because, the line may become visible through the seams.

Cut the wallpaper in strips of required size and apply wallpaper paste, one by one. If the wallpaper is pre-pasted, follow the manufacturer's instructions, to activate the adhesive. Start with sticking each strip from the ceiling to the base. The first strip must be aligned with the plumb line made on the wall. You have to remove the air pockets and smooth the wrinkles with a wallpaper smoothing brush. Use a putty knife to press the wallpaper's lower and upper end (one after another) to the wall, while, you use a sharp razor blade to trim the excess. Continue with the strips and use a seam roller over the seams in a gentle manner. Once you are done with the whole wall, use a dry rag or sponge to wipe off excess adhesives. This method can be used for hanging wallpaper border too.

Hanging wallpaper on your own is always beneficial, as it saves money and provides you with some self-satisfaction.