The Ultimate Wallpaper Installation Guide: Tips from Paint Heroes
Wallpaper Hanging Made Easy: Expert Advice for a Flawless Finish
Prepare Your Walls Before You Begin The Wallpaper Hanging
Preparation is one of the most crucial parts of successfully hanging wallpaper. According to Paint Heroes, the majority of DIY failures occur because of poor preparation of the walls. The walls must be crack-free, hole-free, smooth and completely free of any old wallpaper adhesive. Additionally, the walls must be free of dust and debris so that the wallpaper will hang correctly and evenly. If your walls are not properly prepared, you could expect to have to redo your walls after you hang your wallpaper in order to achieve a higher-quality finished product. If your walls are properly prepared, you will be able to begin hanging your wallpaper.
The best surface results and techniques to replicate those of professional house painting contractors are achieved through preparation and completing a flawless finish that will last.
Tools Needed for Successful Wallpaper Hanging
Some of the primary tools you will need to install wallpaper are listed below. Even though there are less expensive alternatives available, Paint Heroes recommends using only the highest quality materials and tools in order to meet our high quality standards for every wallpaper installation we perform.
Smoothing Brush or Smoother: A smoother or smoothing brush is used to make sure the wallpaper is evenly applied to the wall to prevent air bubbles and pockets from forming.
Utility Knife and Additional Blades: Utility knives will be used to cut your wallpaper to the correct dimensions and to remove excess wallpaper from the top and side of each sheet of wallpaper.
Plumber's Level and/or Plumb Line: You will need to hang your wallpaper perfectly straight therefore a plumber's level or plumb line will be needed to verify that the first strip of wallpaper was applied straight and the remaining strips were applied similarly.
Measuring Tape and Pencil: You will need to measure your walls accurately to ensure you buy enough wallpaper.
Wallpaper Seam Roller: A wallpaper seam roller is specifically designed to join the seams of each sheet of wallpaper together to prevent moisture from getting behind the wallpaper and damaging your walls.
Sponge and Water: A cleaning sponge and water can be used to quickly remove excess adhesive from the paper once the adhesive has dried.
Wallpaper Adhesive Paste or Specialized Adhesive: Depending on the type of wallpaper you have chosen, the adhesive may already be included with the wallpaper or you may need to purchase it separately. Non-pre-pasted papers will require you to apply adhesive to the back of the paper prior to applying it to the walls, whereas pre-pasted papers do not require the application of adhesive to the back of the paper.
Specialized Brush or Roller: A specialized brush or roller will be required to apply adhesive to the back of the paper prior to applying the paper to the walls.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Hanging Wallpaper
First Piece of Wallpaper Application: Determine the width of the first strip of wallpaper and mark the position of the first piece of wallpaper on the wall with a pencil using a level to determine the placement of the first piece of wallpaper. Place the first piece of wallpaper on the wall with extra paper material above and below the first piece of wallpaper. Apply the first piece of wallpaper to the wall with a smoothing brush or plastic smoother to smooth out the paper, starting in the middle of the paper and working your way outward to remove any air bubbles.
Remaining Pieces of Wallpaper Installation: After the first strip of wallpaper is installed, continue to install the remaining pieces of wallpaper in the same manner as the first piece of wallpaper. Ensure that you line up the design of the paper and that the edges of each piece of paper match up.
Excess Material Removal from Top and Sides of Each Sheet of Wallpaper: After all the sheets of paper have been applied to the walls, you will be able to remove the excess material from the top and sides of each sheet of paper using a utility knife.
Seaming the Joints: After the excess material has been removed from the top and sides of each sheet of paper, you will be able to seal the joints between each sheet of paper using a wallpaper seam roller. Sealing the joints between each sheet of paper will prevent moisture from entering behind the paper and damaging the walls.
Final Inspection and Completion: When your wallpaper installation is complete, allow the adhesive to dry completely before placing furniture back into the room or hanging pictures. Verify that the seams are securely fastened to the wall and are not loose. If you locate any of the seams to be loose, apply a little bit of adhesive to secure them and use a damp sponge to remove any excess adhesive. If you reside in a humid environment (such as a bathroom or kitchen) you may want to apply a clear protective coating to the seams to extend the life of your installation.
Many DIY homeowners rely on reliable house painters who specialize in both wallpaper and paint jobs to deliver flawless finished products and durable installations.
FAQ: Wallpaper Installation
Q: How much time does it typically take to hang wallpaper in a standard-sized room?
A: It usually takes anywhere from 6 to 8 hours to hang wallpaper in a standard-sized room, depending on the size of the room, the complexity of the design and the state of the walls.
Q: Can I hang wallpaper over painted walls?
A: Yes. As long as the walls are smooth, clean and do not have any glossy or oily substances on them, you can hang wallpaper over painted walls. Gently sanding and lightly applying primer to the surface will enhance adhesion.
Q: What are some of the best ways to prevent bubbles or wrinkles from forming while hanging wallpaper?
A: To avoid forming wrinkles and air bubbles, try not to stretch the wallpaper too tight. Use caution and patience when smoothing the paper to eliminate any air bubbles from the center outward as you apply each strip of wallpaper. Be careful not to puddle the adhesive.
Q: Can I hang wallpaper in areas where humidity levels are extremely high?
A: Yes. However, you can benefit from utilizing moisture-resistant wallpaper and then applying a protective coating or sealant to maximize the length of time that your wallpaper installation will last.
Q: Should I hire a professional to hang my wallpaper?
A: While many homeowners enjoy hanging their own wallpaper, hiring a house painter who specializes in wallpaper will ensure that your wallpaper pattern is perfectly aligned, that you have a smooth finish and that your results are durable and long lasting without having to deal with the headaches associated with DIY projects.
When you desire to receive the best possible results and attention to detail, consider hiring experienced residential house painters who can offer you a perfect and long-lasting result.
To learn more about DIY wall projects and professional preparation procedures, please visit the How to Wallpaper a Room | Homes & Gardens. homesandgardens.com to wall finishes for trustworthy information from a recognized expert.