How to glue wallpaper on drywall?

Although adhering wallpaper to drywall may appear difficult, it can be a simple and enjoyable project if the proper methods and supplies are used. Whether you’re finishing a new space or remodeling an existing one, wallpaper can give your walls personality, color, and texture. Drywall offers a solid, smooth surface that is perfect for applying wallpaper, but for a long-lasting finish, it must be properly prepared.

It is imperative that you gather all necessary supplies before you start. Wallpaper, adhesive, a utility knife, a smoothing tool, a wallpaper brush or roller, and a tape measure are required. Having everything ready will facilitate a more efficient and seamless process. To get the best results, it’s also essential to choose the appropriate wallpaper type for the conditions of your room. For example, bathrooms should use wallpaper that is resistant to moisture.

The secret to a successful wallpapering project is preparation. Start by looking for any flaws in your drywall. To achieve a smooth and even base, use joint compound to seal any holes or cracks and sand the surface. It’s also advised to apply a primer or sealer to the drywall to improve the adhesive’s bond and keep the drywall from absorbing too much moisture from the wallpaper paste.

When it’s time to hang the wallpaper, measure the length of your wall and cut the wallpaper strips accordingly, leaving a little bit extra for trimming at the top and bottom. Depending on the type of wallpaper you’re using, evenly apply the adhesive to the back of the piece or straight to the wall. Place the wallpaper on the wall with caution, smoothing any air bubbles out with your hands or a smoothing tool as you work from top to bottom.

Lastly, trim any extra wallpaper around light switches and outlets, as well as around the edges, with a utility knife. Make sure the seams are smooth and the wallpaper is properly aligned by taking your time. You can make your drywall into an elegant, lovely accent piece for your house with a little perseverance and attention to detail.

Is it possible to glue wallpaper onto drywall?

In theory, an apartment or house owner cannot inquire about the feasibility of adhering wallpaper to drywall. Of course you can. Trellises can be used to decorate the walls of any room where gypsum board was used to level the walls, including the bathroom because of its high relative humidity.

Important: Since not all buildings and premises can use this method of preparing walls for trellises, we strongly recommend watching the works "Which is better – plaster or drywall?", "How to level walls with plasterboard yourself?" and "How to level walls with plasterboard without a frame?" if you haven’t leveled the walls yet and are gathering information. For instance, drywall will collapse in a country home without heating in the winter due to the influence of frost; the only appropriate remedy in this situation is to plaster the walls using cement mortar.

It must be considered that adhering wallpaper to plasterboard necessitates an entirely different method of wall preparation when getting ready for finishing. There are various causes:

• On plasterboard sheets there are inscriptions regulated by TU (technical conditions), which shine through thin paper and light non-woven wallpaper;
• GKLV (moisture-resistant) and GKLO (fire-resistant) are covered with colored cardboard: green and red, respectively. When applying glue, the color scheme of such plasterboard sheets is often blurred, turning into multi-tone color spots that are clearly visible even through dense non-woven wallpaper;
• Gypsum board intensively absorbs moisture from the glue, which leads to its premature drying. As a result, there is an overconsumption of glue and a violation of the pasting technology;
• Gluing wallpaper directly onto the gypsum board leads to problems in the future: the wallpaper cannot be removed without damaging the plaster. Along with the sheets of trellis, the paper holding the gypsum core of the plasterboard sheets will also be torn off (if you do not remove the old wallpaper and glue new ones on top of them, the problem of the old pattern being visible through will arise);
• untreated joints of sheets and places where screws are screwed in are clearly visible through all types of wallpaper, including vinyl trellises.

Because the walls weren’t puttied before pasting, the removed wallpaper drags the cardboard made of gypsum board with it.

As a result, inexperienced finishers must understand proper drywall preparation for wallpapering.

Preparing plasterboard walls for pasting

After the drywall is installed, the space has smooth walls and right angles, resembling an almost perfect rectangle. The impression is blurred by sheet joints and screw marks. A lot of inexperienced landlords cover up all of this "disgrace" with wallpaper. However, as previously mentioned, this is simply not possible. In this instance, how should wallpaper be correctly applied to drywall? Several different kinds of work should be done gradually to accomplish this.

Step-by-step instructions for priming drywall for wallpaper installation:

• purchase the necessary materials and prepare a set of tools;
• conduct an audit of the work done on covering the walls with plasterboard;
• seal sheet joints and marks from self-tapping screws;
• prime the gypsum board surface for putty;
• putty the walls;
• treat the putty walls again with a primer, but under the wallpaper.

Materials and tools for preparatory work

In order to do preliminary work in building supply stores, you must purchase:

• ready-made gypsum putty for sealing seams, marks from self-tapping screws and various mechanical damage to gypsum boards;
• serpyanka about 10 cm wide for sealing seams – a lavsan or fiberglass tape similar to a bandage with glue applied on one side;
• plaster corner to strengthen protruding corners, plastic or metal (aluminum or galvanized);
• deep penetration primer based on acrylic – it strengthens the surface and creates good adhesion between gypsum board cardboard and putty; Knauf, Ceresit, Tikurilla, etc. primers are well suited for these purposes.d.
• ready-made gypsum putty or dry construction mixture, but then the starting one, with larger fractions, and the finishing, fine-grained one (in terms of price-quality ratio, the Vetonit mixture is best – a 25-kilogram bag can be bought for 400-450 rubles.);
• primer for treating putty for trellises, it must contain fungicides and antiseptics to protect the plasterboard from mold and mildew, which must be written on the packaging, it is also advisable to buy products from well-known companies (Ceresit, Knauf, etc.).

Be aware that putty is more expensive; many experts advise using dry gypsum plaster instead. Such a proposal is not without foundation. Plastering can also be done on walls with plasterboard structures.

Furthermore, a collection of tools and accessories is required, and in the event that they are unavailable, they must be bought or rented:

• stepladder;
• wide (25-35 cm) and narrow (up to 10 cm) spatula – the narrow one is used to pick up putty from a bucket, and the wide one is applied to the wall. In addition, a narrow spatula is also necessary for rubbing the putty solution into the seams through the sickle;
• electric drill with a mixer, if you buy dry mixtures;
• Phillips screwdriver or screwdriver with Phillips bit;
• chisel – needed to form chamfers and strengthen external corners;
• paint roller with a long handle;
• brush for treating hard-to-reach places;
• a basin (bucket) for stirring the primer and putty mixture;
• primer cuvette;
• construction knife;
• sandpaper.

Checking the quality of gypsum board installation and eliminating defects

The following are examined while plasterboard-lined walls are being inspected:

• depth of screws;
• the presence of paper fringe in the places where the plasterboard is cut with a knife;
• joint condition.

It is important to pay close attention to how deeply the screws are inserted. Screws with twisted threads and hardware with partially recessed heads ought to be prohibited. In the first scenario, a screwdriver is required to tighten them (these heads stick to a spatula when you run it over the fastener’s surface).

The sheet will not be held in place by self-tapping screws that puncture the cardboard layer. They will eventually also obliterate the putty. As a result, the hardware is removed and reinstalled five centimeters away from the original hole.

The resulting paper fringe is sanded with sandpaper or carefully trimmed with a construction knife.

The lack of a chamfer at the joints between cut sheets of gypsum board, or plasterboard as locals and visitors alike refer to it, can cause temperature and humidity changes that cause the cladding as a whole to deform.

Sealing seams and screw heads

Sealing the hardware heads and joints is the next step. The seams must be sealed in multiple steps. The following is the order:

• the heads of the hardware are treated with paint to prevent rust from appearing on them;
• Serpyanka is glued to the joint – it strengthens the joint of the gypsum board;

• putty is rubbed through the mesh into the seam with a narrow spatula;
• traces from self-tapping screws, cracks, scratches are also sealed with putty;
• after the applied layer of putty has dried (after about a day), a second layer of putty mixture is applied to level it (it is more convenient to do this with a wide spatula, but the sickle should not be allowed to show through);
• the well-dried putty is first treated with coarse-grained sandpaper – marks from the spatula, bumps and excess putty are removed, then zero (fine-grained) – a smooth surface is obtained.

The weakest point in the entire plasterboard wall system is now strengthened as well—the outer corners formed by the gypsum board. In order to accomplish this, you must carefully follow these steps:

1. place the reinforcing corner on the drywall and mark its position on the wall on each side of the corner;
2. step back from the mark by 3 mm and draw a vertical line along the entire height of the wall;
3. cut through the gypsum board cardboard with a knife along the drawn line;
4. remove cut strips of cardboard;
5. remove part of the plaster with a chisel to a depth greater than the thickness of the corner by 1-1.5 mm;
6. fill the treated corner with a thin layer of putty;
7. press the reinforcing corner into the putty mixture, but it should not protrude beyond the formed surface of the walls;
8. allow the gypsum composition to dry thoroughly;
9. Use putty to bring the corner of the wall into the same plane as the drywall.

Primer of drywall surface

Priming plasterboard walls enhances the putty’s adherence to the plasterboard, which is what will ultimately support the weighty wallpaper sheets hanging on the wall.

Use a brush, broom, or cloth to remove dust and debris from the drywall sheets before beginning any work. The condition listed on the package is achieved by diluting the primer. Using a roller to quickly and effectively impregnate the wall with primer is the best method.

You can use a paintbrush or a regular clothes brush if you don’t have one. The primer needs to be applied in two layers; the first layer is applied first, and the second layer is applied over it to prevent any areas from being missed. Putty, work cannot be continued until the soil has dried completely.

Drywall putty

Regarding the question, "Is it necessary to putty drywall before wallpapering?" experts are unsure. Here, there are three opposing viewpoints.

1. It is necessary to putty the gypsum board to avoid gluing the wallpaper directly to the gypsum board cardboard and to prevent the sealed seams from showing through the wallpaper – they are light, unlike the color of the drywall and the inscriptions on it.
2. Instead of puttying, plaster the walls with gypsum or cement-sand mixture.
3. Replace the puttying process with repeated (4-5 times) treatment of the walls with a primer. Note that this recommendation applies to light paper wallpaper. But here the problem arises of inscriptions and color spots shining through the tapestry. For other types of wallpaper, such wall preparation is not recommended – nevertheless, in some places the wallpaper sheets are glued directly to the drywall.

The technology used to fill walls is regarded as traditional. How should drywall be puttied under wallpaper? Ready-made universal putty is an option. However, the cost of this option is slightly higher than the starting and finishing putty option with dry ready-mixes.

Detailed procedure for applying putty to gypsum board:

• The dry mixture (starting putty) is mixed with a mixer in a special container in accordance with the recommendations printed on the packaging.
• The first layer, 1-2 mm thick, is applied with a wide spatula over the entire surface of the wall, including along seams, sealed cracks and reinforced outer corners. To make it easier to control the thickness of the layer, the spatula should always maintain an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the wall.

Be aware that experts disagree on how many layers of starting putty is appropriate. Some think you only need to make one pass, while others think you need to make two. Employee experience on our website demonstrates that even a single initial layer is sufficient to stop wallpaper from adhering to plasterboard. However, finishing can be done more than once to achieve the perfect wall surface.

• After the first layer has completely dried, various irregularities are removed with sandpaper: lumps, frozen drops, marks from a spatula, etc.d. The resulting cracks are also repaired (if they are not cleaned, the finishing putty will not get into them).
• Stir the finishing mixture and apply it to the first layer 3-4 times until a smooth surface is obtained. It should not be forgotten that each subsequent layer is applied to the dried previous one, treated with sandpaper.

Primer of walls for wallpaper

Apartment owners frequently ask, "Is it necessary to prime drywall under wallpaper?" when renovations are being done. Because the foundation of modern wallpaper is composed of multiple materials and has a substantial weight, priming the walls is a must before applying wallpaper.

Nobody can guarantee that such wall finishing will last a long time if the required technological operation is not performed. Since a specific primer is made for every kind of wallpaper, we advise you to thoroughly read the work, "How and what is the best way to prime the walls before wallpapering?" since it is not possible to fully address all the technical nuances of the process in this material.

Applying wallpaper to drywall is an easy DIY project that can drastically change a space at a low cost and effort. Make sure the drywall surface is clean, smooth, and primed before starting. After that, measure and cut the wallpaper to fit your walls. For a secure hold, apply a premium adhesive to the wallpaper and the wall. As you proceed, smooth out any wrinkles or bubbles to ensure a smooth finish. You can give your space a brand-new appearance and achieve professional-looking results with the right tools and a little perseverance.

Instructions for wallpapering drywall

You must buy the wallpaper and glue you want—preferably specialty—before you can begin working. You will also require a set of tools. Plasterboard can be taped using trellises with the least number of tools necessary. But in order for the task to go well, you need:

• stepladder;
• plastic buckets — 2 pcs.;
• bath;
• roller and paintbrush;
• metal spatula;
• plastic spatula;
• plumb line;
• ruler;
• pencil;
• knife with replaceable blade (scissors);
• tape measure;
• wallpaper roller;
• narrow, cone-shaped rubber roller;
• foam sponge;
• napkins.

Simple instructions are provided for pasting wallpaper onto walls. The works are listed in the following order:

• determine the place to start work;
• using a plumb line, draw a vertical line on the wall for the first piece of wallpaper;
• prepare the glue in accordance with the recommendations on the packaging — it must be prepared carefully, otherwise the wallpaper sheets will start to fall off very soon;
• cut the wallpaper to size;
• spread the first sheet of wallpaper with adhesive mass and leave for a few minutes to soak in the glue;
• the first tapestry is glued onto the drywall strictly along the drawn vertical line;
• Using a sponge and a plastic spatula, the wallpaper is pressed against the wall – all air bubbles and excess glue are removed;
• All subsequent trellis panels are glued using the same technology.

There are many subtleties in wallpaper technology that are too many to cover in one piece. As a result, we recommend that you read through the material titled "How to hang wallpaper yourself, quickly and efficiently" again. It contains the answers to nearly all of the questions that come up when applying wallpaper to drywall.

A well-executed wallpaper application on drywall can revitalize and add style to any space. Despite being simple, the process calls for careful planning and close attention to detail. For a perfect finish, the drywall must be primed, clean, and smooth. The quality of primer and the amount of time spent sanding down any rough areas can significantly impact how well the wallpaper sticks.

The lighting and general design of the space should be taken into account when choosing the ideal wallpaper. While lighter, more delicate wallpapers may require extra care during application, thicker wallpapers can help cover up minor drywall imperfections. Visible seams and mismatches can be avoided by correctly aligning the patterns and cutting the wallpaper into manageable strips.

Evenly applying the wallpaper paste is an additional crucial step. The wallpaper may bubble if there is too much paste applied, and the edges may peel if there is insufficient paste. It is imperative to adhere to the guidelines provided by the manufacturer for both the wallpaper and the paste. A smooth, polished appearance is ensured by gently eliminating air bubbles with a smoothing tool as you apply each strip.

And lastly, patience is essential. To ensure proper setting, let the wallpaper dry completely before making any adjustments or hanging décor. Your home’s interior can be enhanced with a beautifully wallpapered room that you achieve with methodical application and careful preparation. Have fun with the décor!