Lesson 4: Techniques and Tips
Wallpaper - Hang it!
Preparing Your Walls
As in the preparation of a room for painting, you will want to remove all furniture, artwork, outlet and switch covers and nails. Dust, wash, rinse and dry the surfaces with diluted all-purpose cleaner. Cleaning the walls will be a little more intensive, as you will be using a water-based adhesive to hang the wallpaper which puts stress on the wall surface as the adhesive cures and the wallpaper shrinks or contracts. Remove any ink or crayon marks, scrape off any loose paint, fill cracks and holes with spackling compound, and sand the surface until it is smooth.
If there are stains from water leaks or mildew, touch up with a stainkiller like Kilz.
Old Wallpaper - Should it be Removed?
If the paper is peelable, remove it. Check seams and corners: if they lift easily, remove it. If there are more than one layer, remove down to the original surface.
If there is only one layer of wallpaper and the seams and corners are tight, it may be safe to paper (or paint) over it. However, you will need to apply at least one coat of primer over it.
Remove old adhesives by scraping, sanding or by using adhesive remover. Rinse the wall and allow to dry.
Measure Twice, Cut Once!
Measure the distance from ceiling or top molding to the baseboard or floor, and add 4". Two inches will overhang at either end when you apply the paper to the wall, and will be trimmed after it dries. You will need to measure each individual strip before cutting, as there will be variations, as well as sections where windows and other obstructions divide up the space.
Mark the location of the first strip by using a level or chalkline plumb to establish a true vertical, and lightly draw a pencil line from floor to ceiling. Most older homes will not have perfectly straight lines and angles where floor and wall meet, and if you don't establish the true vertical, your wallpaper will be hung "askance". You'll really notice it if there is a pattern or stripes. It will only get worse as you work your way around the room!
Book the Strip
"Booking" is the method of folding the cut strip before applying it to the wall.
If you are using prepasted wallpaper, activate it by submerging the strip in the water tray or sink filled with several inches of water. Draw it out slowly, allowing as much water as possible to drain off. If using unpasted wallpaper, follow the adhesive manufacturer's instructions for application.
Booking each strip enables the adhesive to soak into the wallpaper, and keeps it from drying out until you are ready to hang it. Activate the paste and book each strip one at a time.
First lay the strip out on your work surface, adhesive side facing up. Fold the top third over and then the bottom third, adhesive-to-adhesive. Loosely fold the rolls over again and let rest for about five minutes so the paper can "relax". Don't crease the folds! Generally this gives you time to hang the previous strip, and have one in readiness. A partner can be doing the cutting and booking while you are doing the hanging.
Apply the Strip
The first strip will be aligned against your "true vertical" pencil line, and subsequent strips will be carefully lined up next to the previous strip.
Holding the folded strip with the top edge up, place it next to the ceiling and unfold the top portion of your strip. With the palm of your hand, press the upper portion against the wall, leaving two inches for trimming along the ceiling line. Line up the edge of your wallpaper to your plumb line. Use smooth strokes across and downward to make sure it is lying flat and lines up with your pencil mark.
Slide the middle portion of the strip into position using the palm of your hands. Without pulling on the paper, check for alignment against the plumb line, and smooth it flat with downward strokes.
Unfold the remainder of the strip and smooth down the bottom portion making sure the strip is aligned with the plumb line. When you are sure the strip is positioned evenly with the plumb line, smooth over the entire surface of the strip. Remove any air bubbles, lifting and replacing the strip from the wall where needed.
When the paper is semi-dry, use your craft knife and a straight edge to trim the excess paper at the ceiling and baseboard.
Determine the alignment of pattern carefully, and if two seams must come together that don't match, try to do so over a window or in the most inconspicuous spot in the room.
Continue hanging strips around the room, carefully cutting and measuring around windows, doors and fireplace. Overlap the corners with about two inches of wallpaper, rather than setting a seam where the two walls meet. Once you have two or three strips up, use the seam roller to press firmly down the length of the seam, and wipe any adhesive that seeps out with a damp sponge. Seams should be vertical, have a tight fit and be free from air and paste bubbles. Wipe up any adhesive on moldings and floorboard before it dries.
Change your water frequently in the water tray. Keep your work space free of clutter and bits of paper, and clean up dripped water from floors so you won't slip.
Other Wallcovering Options
There are many things to put on a wall besides wallpaper or paint:
- Add stone to fireplaces. Either true masonry or cultured stone (manufactured), travertine (young, off-white marble), marble, granite, or tile. Either a surround or the whole wall, but make sure the wall is well supported.
- Wood paneling with molding gives a cozy, library feel; or get a Contemporary look with straight, no profile paneling in maple.
- Mirror walls open up a room with minimum windows and bring a lot more light in, giving the feeling of a larger room.
- Hardwearing tile walls are good in a kitchen, bath, entry and around a fireplace. Large expanses of manufactured tiles are easy to clean due to thinner grouting but can be boring. Add character with handmade tiles.
- Fabric walls and upholstered walls can bring richness and softness, and help reduce noise. Cork tiles also provide soundproofing, but may be difficult to remove later.
In discussion, discuss whether you'd rather paint or hang wallpaper, or if you would rather hire someone to do the job!
SuiteU offers a course called Wallpapering and Borders, taught by Tom Sampson. If you want a more in-depth tutorial on the process, this would be an excellent resource.
