Applying glue to wallpaper can be intimidating at first, but with the right technique, it can be a fun and manageable project. It’s important to know where to start when undertaking home renovations, whether you’re remodeling a room or taking on a major project. We’ll walk you through the necessary steps and provide advice in this post to help you finish professionally.
Preparing your walls is the first step in applying wallpaper. This include sanitizing the surface, patching any holes or cracks, and, if required, priming. The wallpaper will stick correctly and have a perfect appearance on a wall that is smooth and clean. This preparation is the cornerstone of a successful wallpaper installation, so take your time.
Next, assemble all the necessary equipment and supplies. This contains wallpaper, adhesive, a utility knife, a smoothing tool, a brush or roller for applying the glue, and a measuring tape. It will be easier and more productive if you have everything ready before you begin.
It’s crucial to start in the proper spot when it comes to actually hanging the wallpaper. It’s usually best to start at a corner close to a door or window. In this manner, any necessary adjustments or mismatches can be concealed in less obvious places. Allowing for adjustments as you go, measure and cut your wallpaper strips with a little extra length.
The wallpaper application process calls for accuracy and patience. Depending on the kind of wallpaper you have, evenly spread the adhesive on the wall or the back of the wallpaper. Carefully align the first strip, smoothing it outward from the center to eliminate any bubbles. Make sure the next strip matches the pattern as you trim the excess at the top and bottom.
You can achieve a stunning, expertly wallpapered room by following these instructions and paying close attention to detail. Anyone can make a big impact on their space with new wallpaper if they prepare ahead of time and use the proper technique. Have fun with the décor!
Preparation
Selecting a design, substance, and purchasing wallpaper only represents the start of the task (discover how to select high-quality wallpaper here, and how to select the wallpaper’s material and color here). The tedious and important work is still to come.
Diluting the glue, cutting the wallpaper into strips, and adhering them to the walls is insufficient. If the surface is not properly prepared, the wallpaper won’t stick and you’ll need to re-glue it, which will take money out of the family budget.
In the event that wallpaper has already been applied to the wall, it needs to be taken down and the surface ready for aesthetic fixes. Here are some pointers to help remove the previous coating:
- When removing old wallpaper, you must try not to damage the surface of the wall. Using an iron spatula or knife, you can leave deep scratches on the wall, then you will have to resort to additional puttying.
- To make it easier to clean the wall of old material, firmly adhered paper is moistened with a sponge or cloth with warm water. Wait 10-15 minutes for the wallpaper to get thoroughly wet, after which it will be easier to tear it off.
- Wallpaper that can be washed during use is more difficult to remove from walls. Wetting with water will not help the situation here. You will have to use a metal spatula, carefully prying up the wallpaper and trying not to damage the wall surface. Read more about how to remove washable wallpaper from a wall in another article.
- The plaster layer does not always remain undamaged after the old wallpaper has been removed. The surface is examined, the peeling plaster is removed using a brush or spatula. The wall is leveled using putty, allowing time for the treated areas to dry (how to level walls for wallpaper?).
- To remove dust and prevent small particles of plaster from falling off, apply 2-3 layers of priming liquid to the walls.
You can make primer at home. You only need a bucket of warm water and two glasses of PVA glue to accomplish this. Slowly transfer the glue into a bucket of water while stirring it.
We recommend watching this video to learn how to prep walls for wallpapering:
Where to start?
This is a question that has always baffled everyone who has worked with wallpapering. Wallpapering requires determining the starting point. Expert builders suggest considering the kind of lighting in a specific space. Since they are no longer joined with an overlap, the method of adhering the wallpaper is not considered when deciding where to begin wallpapering. The four most popular choices for where to hang the first wallpaper are as follows:
- Door frame. When wallpapering, it is important to place the first piece strictly vertically, then you don’t have to worry about the rest, and it will be easier to combine patterns. In most cases, the door frame is located exactly vertically, to be sure, you can check the level. Having started gluing from it, the vertical will be maintained.
- Corner at the junction of walls. This method is also suitable only when the angle is strictly vertical and even, which is not often found. To check whether a corner is suitable as a starting point for gluing or not, you can use a plumb line or a laser level. Read about how to glue wallpaper in the corners of a room here.
- From several lines. This method is available if there is a large window in the room. Wallpaper is glued to one side or the other. The canvases are joined over a door or window opening (how to join wallpaper correctly?).
- From a major landmark. If the room has a non-standard shape, it has several window and door openings, and other elements with different dimensions, then the largest structure with the correct vertical is taken as a reference point. This is where you should start gluing wallpaper.
Rules for gluing
They overlapped in the past when wallpaper was solely made of paper. This resulted from the material tearing easily when they started adjusting the canvas. The joints were glued from the window (is it better to glue wallpaper from the window or the door?) to hide the joints. These days, wallpaper is composed of more resilient materials, so it doesn’t need to be overlapped. However, picking a location for the first wallpaper installation is a significant task.
In the room
In the room, pasting is done in a circle. Pasting begins with the first sheet, followed by the second, and so on, until the time comes to join with the starting sheet. It is impossible to calculate precisely that the final sheet fits the first one without excess when working in this manner. Simultaneously, the precision of pattern matching is also lost.
Starting point is selected in a location that is out of sight in order to make the defect less noticeable and less obvious. It could be a window opening, the area behind the furniture, or the room’s door.
- It is advisable to protect the floor from getting glue on it. To do this, polyethylene is spread on it. Furniture is taken out or covered too.
- Measure the height of the first sheet and cut it off. They do this with a margin so that it is possible to adjust the drawing. The sheet is spread on a clean floor surface and pre-prepared glue is applied to it.
- It is very important to glue the first canvas strictly vertically, since the even position of the remaining cuts depends on it. You can measure an even vertical using a building level, plumb line or laser level. The latter tool, although expensive, is easy to use and more accurately determines vertical evenness.
In the corridor
The following tasks are completed in the hallway and corridor:. This room typically has no window openings. The front door and the area above it are the least obvious places to look. You should begin adhering the wallpaper from this point on, working your way around to the opposite door in a circle.
From the window
A window opening is thought to be more vertical than a doorway or a room’s corner. Yes, and the curtains and drapes in that area draw the eye away from the wallpaper. This is the reason why wrapping usually begins at the window. The first wallpaper sheet is glued either on top or to the side of the window opening, and the subsequent pieces are glued in a circle. The tool is used to check the verticality of the first stripe if it is situated above the window.
If there is still overlapped wallpaper adhering to the wall covering, the work needs to be done precisely from the window. Overlaps between cuts will become less noticeable as a result.
Although beginning a wallpapering project can be intimidating, it can be manageable and even enjoyable with the correct strategy. To ensure the wallpaper adheres correctly, start by thoroughly cleaning, smoothing, and priming your walls. Accurately measure and cut your wallpaper strips, allowing a small amount extra for trimming at the top and bottom. Using a plumb line to guarantee that each strip is straight, begin adhering from a corner or a focal point. As you evenly apply the adhesive, make sure to smooth out any wrinkles or bubbles. Recall that meticulousness and patience are essential for a polished finish.
Nuances when using non-woven material
This kind of wallpaper is glued end to end, so the seams between the cuts remain invisible regardless of the angle at which light is shining on them. In this instance, it’s crucial to position the first sheet in an unnoticeable spot. Whatever it is—a door, window, wall, or even a corner between two walls—you just need to back away from it by roughly half the roll’s width.
When pasting non-woven wallpaper, take these steps:
- Prepare the floor for rolling out the rolls on it. To do this, sweep the floor, wash it, cover it with polyethylene or unnecessary pieces of wallpaper.
- Roll out the roll on the prepared place with the pattern down. Use a tape measure to measure the height of the wall from the ceiling to the floor, add about 5 cm to the result, and transfer the dimensions to the rolled out wallpaper. At the marked place, the wallpaper must be folded evenly. Carefully iron the fold, so that later, using a mounting knife, you can cut the canvas evenly.
- The next sheet must also be cut with a margin. This is necessary to be able to combine the pattern on the wallpaper. In this case, it is better to first join the pattern, and then do the cutting (how to beautifully join wallpaper?).
- Prepare the glue in advance. It is better to apply it in small portions so that it does not have time to polymerize and lose its qualities. The packaging must indicate that the adhesive is intended specifically for non-woven and non-woven wallpaper.
- Using a roller or brush, apply the adhesive mixture to the wall. The adhesive is applied to a width exceeding the dimensions of the wallpaper cut. This is done to better fix the edge.
- Attach the cut to size to the wall starting from the top and moving down. The edge should be located strictly along the vertical strip marked in advance.
- The fabric must be smoothed to remove wrinkles and bubbles. This is done using a special brush or spatula. Cut off excess material with a mounting knife. To do this evenly, you can use the same spatula or a level lath.
- Glue the next section in the same way. It is important to align the canvases themselves and the pattern evenly. The fabric must be pressed tightly against each other, since when it dries, the non-woven fabric does not undergo deformation, and no cracks will appear at the joints.
- To glue two sheets of wallpaper in the corners, you need to overlap. After this, cut off the excess material. It is necessary to press the overlap with a spatula and cut both layers with a utility knife. This is done so that a gap does not appear at the junction. At the end, press the edges of the canvases tightly against the wall treated with glue.
We cordially invite you to view this master class video on adhering non-woven wallpaper:
A different publication contains more details on how to glue wallpaper, including non-woven wallpaper, correctly from beginning to end without any gaps or inconsistencies.
| Step | Description |
| 1. Prepare the walls | Ensure the walls are clean, dry, and smooth. Fill any holes or cracks, and sand down rough spots. |
| 2. Measure and cut the wallpaper | Measure the height of the wall and cut the wallpaper to size, adding a few extra inches for trimming. |
| 3. Apply adhesive | Depending on the type of wallpaper, apply adhesive to the wall or the back of the wallpaper. |
| 4. Hang the first strip | Start at a corner and align the first strip vertically, smoothing it out as you go to remove air bubbles. |
| 5. Continue with the next strips | Match the pattern, if any, and repeat the process, ensuring each strip aligns correctly. |
| 6. Trim excess wallpaper | Use a sharp knife to trim the excess wallpaper at the top and bottom. |
| 7. Clean up | Wipe off any excess adhesive and ensure all strips are firmly attached to the wall. |
Although applying wallpaper can seem like a difficult undertaking at first, with the correct technique, it can be made enjoyable and manageable. Start by thoroughly cleaning your walls. Verify that they are smooth, dry, and clean. Any holes or cracks should be filled and sanded, and any outdated wallpaper or peeling paint should be taken down. This will guarantee that your newly applied wallpaper sticks well and looks great.
Next, before you begin, make sure you have all the required equipment and supplies. A sharp utility knife, a smoothing brush or roller, wallpaper paste, a sponge or cloth for wiping away extra glue, and a tape measure are all necessary. It will save you time and aggravation to work with everything at your fingertips.
Start gluing in a less noticeable corner of the room when you’re ready. In this manner, any errors you make won’t be as obvious. With caution, measure and cut your wallpaper strips, leaving a small amount of extra length for trimming at the top and bottom. Make sure the paste is applied smoothly and evenly, without any lumps or dry areas. As you carefully hang the first strip, make sure it is straight and smooth out any wrinkles or bubbles.
If your wallpaper has a design, continue hanging the strips one at a time, being careful to align the patterns. Don’t rush the procedure; instead, take your time. Completely smooth each strip to guarantee a tidy, expert finish. Lastly, use your utility knife to trim off any extra wallpaper at the top and bottom for a tidy edge.
Magnificent outcomes are achievable if you are patient and pay close attention to details. The transformation wallpaper adds to your space makes the preparation and precision required for the task of adhering wallpaper well worth it. Savor the procedure and the transformed appearance of your exquisitely wallpapered walls!
