How to Install Wallpaper: Step-by-Step Guide for Flawless Walls
Wallpaper Installing Made Easy: Pro Tips to Avoid Bubbles and Wrinkles
How to Install Wallpaper Like a Pro
At Paint Heroes, your go-to resource for house painting and wall covering, we understand that hanging wallpaper isn't always a DIY project. Although wallpaper installation requires the same skill and precision as painting an entire home, we have assisted many customers with their DIY wallpaper projects gone wrong. As such, we've put together this step-by-step guide to help you learn how to hang wallpaper like a pro.
This guide explains everything you need to know about hanging wallpaper—from beginning to end. We'll discuss the importance of properly preparing your walls for wallpaper installation, what tools you'll need to complete your job, how to accurately measure and match your wallpaper to prevent wasting time and money on costly errors, and how to minimize wrinkles and air bubbles throughout the process.
If you’re doing a full-room makeover, please contact our experienced house painting service for professional assistance with preparing your walls and providing you with a professionally finished look every time.
Preparing Your Walls for Wallpaper Installation
Preparation of your walls is the most critical phase of wallpaper installation. Unfortunately, the overwhelming majority of DIY projects fall short due to inadequate wall preparation. When preparing your walls, you want to ensure that your walls are crack-free, hole-free, smooth, and free of old wallpaper adhesive. You also want to ensure that your walls are free of dust and dirt. If you fail to adequately prepare your walls, you run the risk of having a substandard final product, thereby requiring you to spend additional time and money fixing your walls after you’ve installed your wallpaper. After your walls are adequately prepared, you can install your wallpaper.
Tips to Help Minimize Wrinkles and Air Bubbles
Wrapping and air bubbles are two of the most common issues when hanging wallpaper. Below are some helpful tips to help you avoid them:
Hang the paper in the direction of the grain (if applicable).
Avoid stretching the paper too tightly – this will cause wrinkles and air bubbles.
Work slowly and deliberately when smoothing the paper to remove air bubbles from the center outward as you apply each strip.
Evenly distribute adhesive – avoid puddling.
Never pull or stretch the paper.
Tips to Prevent Misaligned Patterns
Misaligned patterns occur when the repeat in a patterned wallpaper is not aligned properly. Here are some helpful tips to help you prevent misaligned patterns:
Carefully measure the repeat before cutting each piece of paper.
Hang each piece of paper directly above the last piece of paper to maintain alignment of the repeat.
Purchasing an additional roll or two of the same paper will give you a spare in case you need to replace a damaged roll during the installation process.
Troubleshooting Common Problems with Wallpaper Installation
Although you may try your best to avoid them, you may still experience difficulty when hanging your wallpaper. Below are some helpful tips to assist in troubleshooting the most common issues:
Most air bubbles can be removed by gently pressing them toward the next seam.
Most small wrinkles will disappear as the paper dries, but large wrinkles will require you to carefully peel back the strip and adjust.
If you discover a misaligned pattern while hanging a piece of paper, carefully remove the strip while it is still wet and try to hang it again.
Patience is key (and a good team of skilled house painters) when addressing wallpaper installation issues.
Final Inspection and Job Completion
Once you have completed your wallpaper installation, let the adhesive dry completely before replacing furniture in the room or hanging pictures. Finally, check to see if the seams are securely attached to the wall and are not loose. If any of the seams are loose, apply a small amount of adhesive to secure them and use a damp sponge to remove any excess adhesive. It may be beneficial to protect the seams with a clear wallpaper protective coating in areas prone to high humidity (i.e., bathrooms and kitchens) to increase the longevity of your installation.
Homeowners commonly seek out experienced home painters that specialize in both wallpaper and paint projects to deliver high-quality, flawless, and long-lasting installations. To learn more head over to this article How to Hang Wallpaper | This Old House for awesome tips.
FAQ: On Hanging Wallpaper
Q. How many hours would it take to hang wallpaper in an average sized room?
A: Depending on the size of the room, pattern complexity, and condition of the walls, it can take anywhere from 6 to 8 hours to hang wallpaper in most standard sized rooms.
Q. Can I hang wallpaper on painted walls?
A: Yes, if you ensure the paint has dried completely and is completely smooth, free of grease, and has no gloss on it. Also lightly sanding the surface, then using a primer will greatly increase the quality of the glue-to-paper bond.
Q. How do I prevent bubbles or wrinkles when hanging wallpaper?
A: Apply the adhesive to the back of the paper evenly, never stretch the wallpaper as you are placing it up, and always start at the top of the first strip and move down slowly; use a tool like a smoothing brush to push air bubbles towards the center of the strip as you lay down each new strip.
Q. Can I hang wallpaper in areas with high humidity?
A: Yes, but you should use a wallpaper specifically designed to withstand higher moisture levels and then use a waterproof coating or sealant after installation to help protect against damage from water and/or humidity.
Summary on Installing Wallpaper
The art of hanging wallpaper takes time, skill and the right equipment to provide a quality, professional appearance. Following our expert tips (which include prepping the wall, measuring correctly, matching up patterns, and using top-quality products), you will be able to transform your living space into a visually appealing and trendy environment. To eliminate the hassle of installing wallpaper on your own and be confident in the application process of your wallpaper, call Paint Heroes today. We have many years of experience as house painters and home painters providing long-lasting, beautiful finishes to homes all around the area and look forward to helping you create a one-of-a-kind, lasting impression in your home.