How to wallpaper the ceiling?

A room’s appearance and feel can be completely changed by wallpapering the ceiling, which can add depth and personality that paint alone frequently can’t. Although it’s a project that calls for meticulous planning and a methodical approach, it can be a rewarding do-it-yourself project if you have the right tools and techniques.

Make sure your ceiling is smooth, clean, and free of any paint or wallpaper that could prevent adhesion before you start. Use filler to fix any imperfections or cracks, then lightly sand the surface to create a consistent base.

Selecting the ideal wallpaper is essential. Choose thin wallpaper made especially for ceilings to reduce stress on the adhesive. To calculate the amount of wallpaper you’ll need, measure your ceiling precisely and account for any repeating patterns in the design.

After selecting your wallpaper and gathering all necessary supplies, such as a utility knife, wallpaper smoother, adhesive, and a long-handled brush or roller, prepare the adhesive by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Using a pre-mixed adhesive meant for wallpapering is frequently advised.

Working from one side of the room toward the other, begin by using a roller or brush to apply adhesive to a manageable section of the ceiling. To guarantee full coverage, carefully place the first length of wallpaper onto the nearby wall, allowing for a small overlap. Using a wallpaper smoother, remove any wrinkles or air bubbles by working your way out from the center.

Hang wallpaper segments and keep applying adhesive until the entire ceiling is covered. Using a sharp utility knife, trim any extra wallpaper around the edges. Then, use a damp sponge to remove any remaining adhesive. Give the wallpaper time to fully dry before putting in any more accent pieces or furniture.

Although wallpapering a ceiling demands time and careful attention to detail, the outcome can be breathtaking. A well-done wallpapered ceiling can improve the overall look of your room, whether you go for a bold design to stand out or a subtle pattern to go with your decor.

Is it possible to stick wallpaper on what ceiling surface?

A great alternative to decorative plaster and paint (whitewash) is a trellis installed on the ceiling. With their assistance, you can:

• hide minor surface defects;
• get any desired type of ceiling space – a huge selection of textures, colors and designs (patterns) allows you to realize any fantasy of designers or room owners;
• relatively inexpensive to carry out repair work.

When is it possible

The type of material used to construct the ceiling or cover it with wallpaper is unrestricted. They can be adhered to OSB, plywood, plaster, plaster, or concrete using glue. Because the wallpaper and glue don’t contain any hypoallergenic ingredients, trellises can be used in any residential space, including bedrooms and children’s rooms.

When not to

The intended outcome is not always achieved when wallpapering the ceiling. In the following situations, wallpapering should be avoided:

• in old houses with their narrow floor panels and large joints. Leveling the surface will take a lot of time and cost a significant amount of money. Together with the cost of finishing the ceiling with wallpaper, the repair will cost almost the same money as a suspended ceiling. Therefore, here it is necessary to weigh and calculate everything;
• in the kitchen and bathroom, hot humid air leads to the rapid lag of the trellis fabric from the surface;
• in small rooms, wallpaper often doesn’t look the best at the top. There are two problems here: the color and (or) relief of the trellises on the ceiling visually reduce the size of the room even more and the joints of the sheets are more visible in them, unlike large rooms.

We walk you through the entire process of wallpapering your ceiling in our in-depth guide, "How to wallpaper the ceiling?", providing do-it-yourselfers and novices alike with helpful advice and techniques. This article provides you with all the information you need to achieve professional-looking results and improve the visual appeal of any room in your house, from preparation and material selection to application techniques that guarantee a smooth finish.

What wallpaper is best to use for pasting a stream?

Without carefully chosen materials, repairs cannot be completed to a high standard. This includes ceiling trellises in its entirety. These are some significant details.

• The variety of wallpapers on sale does not mean that all of them can be glued to the ceiling. Any are suitable for walls – if the technology is followed, they will hold up perfectly. For the ceiling, you need ceiling ones, lighter and denser. A corresponding inscription is put on the packaging label. What to do if you really like the wallpaper, but there is no inscription? Another type of marking will help here: the weight of the wallpaper sheet. For gluing to the ceiling, this indicator for wallpaper should not exceed 110 g / m 2 . Through trial and error, experts have found that for painting, it is best to buy wallpaper weighing 150 g / m 2 – they do not stretch, and do not shrink under a layer of paint, and also hide small irregularities well.
• Wallpaper should not be thick. Even if they are light, it is better to refuse such a purchase – they quickly get wet and tear during work, and are also worse held by glue.
• Wide wallpaper on the ceiling is very difficult to work with. Therefore, finishing specialists recommend buying trellises with a width of 53 or 60 cm.
• You shouldn’t look for products from foreign brands on sale – they simply don’t produce ceiling wallpaper. The exception is trellises for painting. You can use wall materials weighing no more than 150 g/m2 .
• Designers do not recommend buying trellises in bright colors for your apartment. They look out of place in any interior, regardless of the design style. The most acceptable options: white or pastel colors of other colors.
• When performing finishing work alone, you only need non-woven trellises – they do not need to be coated with glue, which simplifies gluing the sheets to the ceiling (under the non-woven base, the adhesive mass is applied to the ceiling surface).

The technology and quality of gluing are influenced by the type of wallpaper.

Types of ceiling trellises

Manufacturers offer textile wallpaper, paper, non-woven vinyl, and vinyl on paper or non-woven basis for the ceiling.

Document. The least expensive variety of these finishing materials is represented by paper trellises. Nonetheless, the material’s price is entirely commensurate with its durability (it will last for about five years) and quality (it is thin and highlights all of the ceiling’s flaws when applied to an uneven surface).

Not woven. In common parlance, non-woven wallpaper includes both pure non-woven wallpaper and vinyl and textile wallpapers with a non-woven foundation. Here, we are directly discussing non-woven wallpaper. They have a relief pattern and are multi-layered. purchased primarily for painting. Unusual gluing technology applies glue directly to the surface that needs to be glued. Perfect for ceilings:

• do not require preliminary cutting;
• hide surface imperfections well;
• Allows one person to do the work.

Though much more expensive than paper trellises, prices are still within the reach of the middle class.

Vinyl. Paper or non-woven bases are options for vinyl trellises. The kind of base dictates the gluing technology, including the kind of glue and how it is applied. Because of their thick structure and relief texture, they are resilient and effectively conceal small ceiling imperfections. accessible at a price to the large consumer.

Cloth. Fabric (such as linen, silk, or viscose) applied to a paper or non-woven substrate is known as textile wallpaper. The base technology is used to paste them. Give the impression of a really luxurious finish. Because of their high cost, only affluent customers can afford them.

And if wallpapering precedes painting

Similar to painting wallpaper on walls, you can also paint wallpaper on ceilings. Manufacturers provide vinyl and non-woven wallpaper for painting ceilings. Experience has shown that painting non-woven wallpaper onto the ceiling is far simpler.

After a layer of paint is applied, vinyl ones start to bubble, which is acceptable for the walls but a major problem for the ceiling. As soon as I finish painting, I have to use a rubber roller to roll the wallpaper to the ceiling.

Let’s review everything. The owners of the apartment (or house) get to choose what wallpaper to put on the ceiling. First and foremost, one’s financial situation determines this. Second, elements like the kind of space, the gluing technique, and the needs for color and texture.

Choosing adhesive for ceiling wallpaper

Selecting the right glue is crucial when getting ready to apply wallpaper to the ceiling. Ultimately, the force of attraction on the trellis sheets is tens of times stronger than it is on the wall in this situation. Consequently, wallpaper bases require specific adhesive compositions (universal types of glue do not hold wallpaper on the ceiling well).

The article "How to choose wallpaper glue?" contains information on the different types of glue, their composition, and their degree of adhesion with different materials (the ceiling may be made of concrete, wood, or plasterboard).

Materials and tools

Without the right supplies, a set of tools, and accessories, wallpapering the ceiling is not possible. In order to work, you’ll need:

• ceiling wallpaper;
• primer;
• wallpaper glue;
• paper tape under the seam between the sheets of wallpaper (preferably);
• stepladder (can be replaced with a construction platform or a strong table);
• a bucket or basin for stirring glue;
• a screwdriver or drill with a mixing attachment for preparing the adhesive mass (you can stir it manually with any oblong object, even your own hand);
• tapping cord (chalk, construction pencil);
• 5m tape measure;
• in the absence of a beating cord, you will need a long, even strip (the best option is the rule) to apply the wallpaper line to the ceiling;
• stationery knife with a set of replaceable blades;
• a roller with a ditch or a wide brush with soft hair for applying glue;
• a small brush for applying glue to hard-to-reach places when working with non-woven wallpaper – the adhesive mass is applied to the ceiling;
• a dense roller for pressing the trellis sheet (it is difficult to forcefully press the wallpaper sheet to the ceiling with a wallpaper spatula);
• a wide metal spatula for cutting wallpaper after gluing (if you plan to cut the trellis sheets to size in advance, it will not be needed);
• soft cloth or rags to remove glue that has come out on the surface of the wallpaper.

Preparatory work

The first step in any construction or repair process is preparation. What goes into wallpapering a ceiling is:

1. from preparing the surface to be glued;
2. ceiling markings;
3. preparing glue;
4. wallpaper cutting.

Surface preparation

Trellises can be affixed to a variety of ceiling materials with adhesive. The primary requirement is that the surface appear even and smooth, free of flaking traces from earlier finishing techniques.

Concrete

How can wallpaper be glued to a concrete ceiling? You must first complete a few preparatory tasks in order to accomplish this.

• Old finishing is removed: wallpaper, paint, whitewash. How to do this quickly and correctly, with minimal effort and money, can be found in the article “How to prepare walls for wallpapering.”?».

Be aware that applying wallpaper to previously applied paint or wallpaper is frequently permissible when pasting it onto walls. It is best to avoid taking chances when it comes to the ceiling because gravity acts on the wallpaper in a very different way than it does on the wall.

• The surface of the ceiling is cleaned of the remains of the previous finish, dust, dirt, soot and grease – washed with a soap solution using a brush. Visible greasy stains are removed with gasoline, acetone or turpentine.
• Cracks, cracks and visible joints between the floor slabs are sealed. This technological process is discussed in detail in the work "How to prepare the ceiling for painting with water-based paint?".

If there is a lot of unevenness in the ceiling that putty cannot cover up, you will either have to order a suspended ceiling instead of wallpapering the top portion of the room or use dry plaster (gypsum plasterboard) to level the ceiling.

Gypsum plasterboard

Whether pasting is being done on freshly installed material or after old finishing determines how gypsum boards should be prepared for wallpaper. The following is the sequence of work if the ceiling was leveled before the wallpaper:

1. seams between gypsum plasterboard sheets and marks from self-tapping screws are sealed with a putty solution, which is applied twice. The second layer must be applied to the serpyanka;
2. after the putty has dried at the joints and recesses from the screws, the entire surface of the sheets is puttied (if you skip this operation, in the future it will be very difficult to remove the wallpaper from the ceiling – they will pull the gypsum board cardboard along with them);
3. the ceiling surface is primed.

The process of applying wallpaper adhesive to a plasterboard ceiling and a wall composed of the same material is essentially the same. Therefore, the editors of the portal advise reading the article "How to glue wallpaper on drywall?" if the ceiling is covered in sheets of gypsum plasterboard.

Plywood and OSB

Plywood or OSB ceilings are uncommon and typically found in private residences. They make no special preparations before pasting. OSB is primed after being puttied twice. It is not necessary to putty the plywood; instead, you can seal and prime the seams.

Ceiling markings

Anyone who has ever glued wallpaper knows full well that a vertical mark must be made on the wall where the wallpaper sheet’s edge will go in order to create the starting strip. The ceiling requires the same procedure.

Using a chop cord to draw a line is the best option. In order to accomplish this, the cords on either side of the ceiling are brought up against it at the designated locations, pulled vertically down the center, and released.

Some of the coloring material will stay on the surface if you hit something hard. Prepared line. If there’s no cord, you can make one yourself by using a pencil to draw a line or smearing regular twine with chalk (the marker might leave a mark that shows through the trellis fabric).

This place has an easy-to-understand layout. However, there are two opinions on where to put the line for the first strip when pasting should begin:

1. Some experts suggest adhering the wallpaper parallel to the window’s light stream, starting from the wall. Taking the width of the tube minus 1.5 cm as the starting point in this instance, the starting line is drawn along the wall at the distance that the wallpaper sheet should extend onto the side wall. The previous strip is used as a guide to determine the boundaries of the stripes in the future.

2. The latter advise beginning your task at the ceiling’s center. Here, the following is the order of operations:

1. is the center of the room. To do this, use thread, twine or fishing line to connect the corners of the room. The place where they intersect will be the center of the room;
2. Marks are placed from the central point at a distance of 1/2 the width of the roll, with the expectation that the wallpaper sheet will run perpendicular to the window;
3. the distance from each wall to the nearest mark is measured;
4. the obtained measurement results are transferred to opposite ends of the ceiling;
5. the marked points are connected by a line using a paint cord or pencil.

Preparation of glue

The type of glue used and how it is prepared both affect how long the wallpaper on the ceiling lasts. Usually, the package has instructions on how to breed dry adhesive masses. Remember the key details:

1. Pure water is poured into a sufficiently volumetric container in the amount indicated on the package;
2. water is stirred mechanically (screwdriver or drill with a mixer nozzle) or manually until the funnel is formed;
3. Dry mixture slowly pour out into the water near the edge of the container;
4. After the whole pack is in water, the composition is mixed for about 10 minutes;
5. After stirring, the prepared glue is placed for 8-15 minutes for swelling (a more accurate time is indicated on the package);
6. After ripening, the adhesive mass is mixed again for 5-10 minutes.

On the other hand, there are situations where the packaging material is silent on certain subtleties. We suggest viewing the article "How to choose glue for wallpaper?" if you have any questions.

Cutting wallpaper

Wallpaper sheets don’t appear to be particularly difficult to prepare for glue. After adhering, experts typically suggest cutting pure non-woven wallpaper onto the ceiling. With this easy method, you can apply wallpaper to the ceiling by yourself.

To ensure that there are no length errors, the remaining portion should be chopped with a 3-5 cm overlap on each side. Once the wallpaper is adhered, the excess is removed with a construction knife and a wide spatula. The sheets are cut to the appropriate size after any patterns or designs are combined.

Pasting instructions

The "how to wallpaper a ceiling" instructions go over every option for pasting, including the kind of wallpaper, the number of workers (one, two, or group), and the features of the room.

Let’s start by highlighting the general work that applies to all wallpaper types.

1. Using a roller or brush, glue is applied to the prepared trellises or ceiling. The table shows you where to apply it correctly. 1.

Table 1.

Type of wallpaper	Place of application of glue
	wallpaper base	wall
Paper	+	–
Non-woven	–	+
Vinyl on paper backing	+	–
Vinyl on non-woven base	+	+

2. The wallpaper sheet that has been smeared is folded with the adhesive mass facing each other, with the ends meeting roughly in the middle, and allowed to soak for a while (see table 2).

Table 2.

Type of trellis base	Impregnation time, min.
Lightweight paper trellises	3-6
Thick paper trellises	5-8
Vinyl on paper backing	7-10
Vinyl on non-woven base	10-15

3. The initial sheet is adhered to. One side should exactly follow the line, while the other should extend 1.5 cm onto the side wall. You can use a rubber roller, a spatula, or your hands to tightly roll the canvas to the ceiling.

When working with glue-coated sheets, at least two people are required (a third person is required when working with meter-long trellises). The first person applies the glue, while the second supports the wallpaper, adjusts its placement, provides tools or glue, and, if needed, re-greases the joints. An inexperienced person can glue non-woven trellises by themselves, using just their hands.

4. Using a wide spatula and a knife with detachable blades, trim any wallpaper that has adhered to the walls until the trellises are firmly secured with glue. The latter is applied to the wallpaper and trellises are trimmed along it if you intend to install a ceiling plinth.

5. The sheets that follow are adhered. Joints require special consideration. Trellis shouldn’t cross over one another or even have a micron’s gap between them. It is best to roll them several times with a rubber roller after the seams (if you roll them with your hands first, there might be spaces between the sheets).

Be aware that minor creases on all varieties of trellises will eventually disappear.

Nuances of the work being carried out

A few small tips that we’ll go over are useful when wallpapering a ceiling.

Where to start

Finishers disagree on where to begin when it comes to wallpapering. Some recommend gluing from the wall, while others advise starting in the ceiling’s center. The editors believe that there isn’t much of a difference between the two approaches’ designs and seam concealment. Additionally, when gluing begins in the center, the amount of material used will increase by precisely one sheet. Therefore, it is up to the apartment owners to decide where and how to apply wallpaper to the ceiling.

How to cover corners

As the picture clearly illustrates, there are some challenges when gluing corners—the joints where the walls and ceiling meet.

The following is the action algorithm:

1. the wallpaper is placed on the wall;
2. with a pencil on the trellises, mark the place where the joints of the ceiling meet the walls;
3. a cut is made perpendicular to the sheet to the mark, after which gluing can continue.

How to bypass pipes

A more intricate pipe-based solution. In this instance, the wallpaper is adhered to the pipes. Next, the wallpaper sheet’s point of contact with the obstruction is indicated. Cut to the mark at the end of the sheet with a knife or pair of scissors. A slightly smaller-diameter hole than the pipe is drilled into the trellises. After carefully pasting over the barrier, any wallpaper that has adhered to the pipe is promptly removed with a knife.

How to get around the chandelier

There won’t be any way around it without more seams unless the chandelier is taken apart. As a result, the wiring is concealed in a hole in the ceiling, the chandelier is taken down, and wallpaper is adhered. The chandelier is then mounted after a cross-shaped cut is made above the wires and the corners are bent.

How to hide joints

Since there are no such technologies, it will not be possible to hide the joints completely. However, with the use of a light flux, they can be somewhat hidden. The seams need to be parallel to the window’s light in order to achieve this. helps paint trellises and conceal joints. Finishing micro putty (such as Rotband paste, Sheetrock, and Sadolin) can be used for this.

The method is as follows: after applying the first coat of paint, the surface is puttied. The putty is painted again after it has dried and is sanded using P200 sandpaper. The surface texture will shift in the areas where putty is applied if you putty first and paint later. The seams vanish entirely and the texture remains unchanged if the technology is kept exactly as it is. The walls require the same procedure.

It is recommended to use a highly matte paint (like Tikkurila Euro7, Dulux, or Dufa) for painting ceilings, though experts sometimes refer to it as deep matte. To prevent the second coat of paint from drying too quickly and from showing roller tracks, it is preferable to slightly dilute it with water. Roller marks, which accentuate the ceiling’s curvature, may be seen when applying semi-matte or gloss paint.

Conclusion

Using wallpaper to finish the ceiling gives you a unique yet exquisite ceiling area. Every task can be completed on your own. Most customers can take advantage of this opportunity because the cost of purchasing materials is second only to painting work.

This is a succinct and understandable wrap-up for your piece on "How to wallpaper the ceiling?"

With the right application, wallpapering a ceiling can completely change a room’s appearance while adding depth and personality. To get the greatest results, begin by carefully cleaning and smoothing the ceiling surface. Take careful measurements and cut your wallpaper strips, leaving a small amount of extra length for future adjustments.

It takes patience and meticulous attention to detail to apply wallpaper to the ceiling. Apply a high-quality, wallpaper-appropriate adhesive evenly to the back of each strip. As you work, smooth out any wrinkles or air bubbles to guarantee a smooth finish. If you need to, take breaks to stay focused and don’t rush the job.

Work methodically from one side of the room to the other when positioning each strip, slightly overlapping at the edges for a clean join. Carefully trim any extra wallpaper from the edges and around any fixtures or fittings. Before admiring your newly wallpapered ceiling, give it enough time to dry according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

And last, take a moment to reflect on your work. A rewarding do-it-yourself project that improves the overall aesthetics of your room is wallpapering the ceiling. By using the appropriate equipment, planning, and methods, you can give any room in your house a polished appearance that exudes style.

Video on the topic

How to glue wallpaper to the ceiling

How can one hang wide wallpaper 1.06m to the ceiling!

How to glue painting non-woven fabric to the ceiling

DIY ceiling wallpaper gluing Tutorials

█ HOW TO GLUE WALLPAPER ON THE CEILING / TYPES OF WALLPAPER / TOOLS

How to wallpaper the ceiling.

How to hang wallpaper on the ceiling alone

How to hang wallpaper on the ceiling alone.