Wallpapering with your own hands: step-by-step instructions

Wallpapering cannot be called a particularly complex process when compared, for example, with finishing with ceramic tiles or decorative plaster. However, in order for the room to look flawless, it is also necessary to put a lot of effort. Some prefer to hire specialists for such work, but we will show that it is quite possible to glue wallpaper with your own hands. The main thing is to be patient and think carefully about the sequence of work to the smallest detail. To make the task easier, we have prepared for you a step-by-step instruction that will tell you what to do, how exactly and in what sequence. We will also consider the special nuances that are present in the gluing of wallpaper of various types.

How to glue wallpaper: step-by-step instructions

The presented step-by-step instructions will tell you about the basic rules and stages of gluing wallpaper canvases. Following it, you will provide your room with a beautiful neat finish that will last for more than one year. So, let’s get started!

Step 1. Prepare the room

One of the main stages of wallpapering is high–quality wall preparation, as the final result will depend on it. First of all, it is necessary to get rid of the old finish, where the greatest difficulty is dismantling the old wallpaper. By themselves, they come off quite problematic, to facilitate the work, it is better to pre-moisten them using a wet cloth or a spray gun. After waiting 10-15 minutes for the canvases to completely soak, you can start removing them. If the old wallpaper has a protective film (washable), you will have to remove them with a spatula.

When preparing the walls, it is necessary to get rid of baseboards, possible nails in the walls, linings for switches, and sockets must be de-energized. When you completely remove all the previous finish, it is necessary to remove the peeling plaster with a spatula, cover up possible holes, cracks. After that, the masters of construction are advised to treat all the surfaces of the walls with a primer. Such treatment will prevent further shedding of plaster, will make the surface smoother and smoother. The soil mixture can be prepared independently by stirring two glasses of PVA glue in 10 liters of water.

After the room is primed, it is necessary to carry out a thorough cleaning, eliminate all specks and rinse the floor. The room needs to be allowed to “rest” and dry thoroughly, so it is left for a while with the windows open.

Step 2. Preparation of tools and materials

While the walls of the room are being adjusted to adopt a new appearance, there is enough time to prepare the necessary accessories and cut the wallpaper. To work, you will need rollers, a paint brush, a brush, a thread with a weight (plumb line), a construction level, a pencil, scissors, a stationery knife, a ruler and a container for diluting glue. The list may well change depending on what is more convenient to work with.

Today’s wallpaper market provides a huge assortment, among which you can find both ordinary paper, familiar to many since Soviet times, and non-woven, fabric, glass wallpaper, as well as quite popular photo wallpapers. It is important to calculate correctly how many rolls will be needed, which, by the way, may have different widths. To do this, you can use a simple formula: the total perimeter of all the walls of the room should be divided by the width of the roll, and the result should be divided by 4 (if the wallpaper is plain) or 3 (if the wallpaper requires a pattern fit).

For cutting wallpaper, it is better to use a long table, if there is one, or to carry out work on the floor. One-color canvases can be cut for the whole room at once (we will talk about the features of gluing canvases with drawings later). First, we calculate how many canvases will be needed: we divide the length of the wall by the width of the wallpaper. The length of the canvas should be equal to the height of the wall plus 5 cm for trimming.

Next, we prepare the glue according to the instructions indicated on the package. To do this, pour the right amount of water into a large container and, stirring with a long stick, pour the dry adhesive mixture. Pay attention to the fact that it is the glue that is poured into the water, and not vice versa, and also note that you need to use cool water, since hot water will lead to clumping of the composition. Check out the manufacturers’ recommendations, which are available on each roll, according to the method of gluing certain types of wallpaper.

Step 3. Glue the wallpaper

Before wallpapering, it is necessary to close the windows and doors, since even a small draft can lead to the fall of the canvases. For the sticker of the first strip, it is necessary to make a vertical marking using a plumb line and a level so that further canvases lie perfectly flat. Wallpaper should be glued from the window side and move gradually along the perimeter of the room.

With the prepared glue, we lubricate a section of the wall with a roller or a paint brush, which will cope much better at the joints with the ceiling and neighboring walls. Next, apply the glue to the canvas, evenly distributing it over the surface with a roller. We apply the strip to the top of the wall and, combining the edge with the vertical marking, glue the canvas, smoothing it with a roller or brush to “expel” air bubbles. Since the ceiling is not always perfectly smooth, the strip needs to be glued a little with a grip from above and below. Extra centimeters after gluing can be cut off with scissors or a stationery knife. Thus, we glue each subsequent sheet of wallpaper, and we pass the joints additionally with a rubber roller.

The greatest difficulty is often the corner territories. To carefully arrange the corner, you need to glue one strip a couple of centimeters overlap on the adjacent wall, then the next strip is glued, and the extra centimeters are cut off.

Features of wallpapering of different types

To date, wallpaper is made of various materials, there are many options for textures and colors. The process of gluing a particular type of canvas may have its own characteristics, which we will consider further. The most popular wallpapers for the house are the following:

1. Wallpaper with a pattern. Such canvases have various patterns that can significantly enliven the interior, emphasize the design style, but will require a special approach to gluing – after all, it is necessary to cut and place the canvases on the wall in such a way that the pattern exactly matches. In most cases, one of two methods is used. In the first case, the first strip is glued to the wall, then a roll is applied, the pattern is adjusted, and only then the next strip is cut off. This method is generally not bad, but there will be a lot of waste. A simpler and more economical way is to unwind two rolls at the same time, then, shifting one of them, select a pattern and color the canvases.

2. Paper wallpaper. The most “ancient” kind of wallpaper, but also the cheapest, which is why it is still in considerable demand. Since the canvases are quite thin, after applying the glue, they should be immediately applied to the wall so as not to get wet.

3. Vinyl wallpaper. This type is characterized by resistance to moisture and a relief surface, thanks to which the wallpaper perfectly masks the shortcomings of the walls. When gluing, it is necessary to smear the wall with glue and leave to dry for 15 minutes. The wallpaper strip also needs to be smeared and left for 10 minutes, after which it can be glued.

4. Non-woven wallpaper. A modern version of moisture-resistant wallpaper, which includes mineral fibers. The wrong side of the canvas is covered with a binder, so the glue is applied only to the wall. Also, as in the case of vinyl canvases, you need to let the adhesive layer dry a little and then apply the canvas.

5. Glass walls. The canvases are characterized by high strength, reinforcing capabilities, as well as environmental friendliness. On sale there are canvases of different colors and intended for painting. Their main advantage is that they can be washed with any detergents, disinfected, so these wallpapers are suitable for any premises, including children’s and medical institutions. It is important to pay attention to the glue – universal compositions will not work here, since the canvases have a lot of weight. It is necessary to choose the glue on which it will be indicated “for fiberglass wallpaper”. The fiberglass cloth has two sides – the front and the back. As a rule, the front one is located inside the roll. The glue is applied only to the wall surface.

6. Photo wallpapers. A very popular type of decoration today, which is able to create a unique interior, place accents, visually expand the space. Before gluing, it is advisable to make a marking on the wall, and lay out the fragments of the drawing on the floor, making up the appropriate picture. For convenience, you can number the canvases in order of priority and, accordingly, the squares on the wall. It is better to start gluing from the center of the composition, moving gradually to the sides so that the picture turns out to be smooth.

7. Fabric wallpaper. Absolutely special canvases, which include textile fibers (cotton, linen, etc.). The wallpaper looks gorgeous, but also costs accordingly. The cloth smeared with glue is left for 5 minutes for impregnation, then pressed against the wall and smoothed from top to bottom with a soft brush or roller with a wound rag. During the transfer of the canvas, it is important that there are no bends. The glue should be exclusively intended for textile wallpaper.

8. Liquid wallpaper is another most modern type of finishing material, but this is only their conventional name. In fact, the way they are decorated is more similar to applying decorative plaster with a spatula.

Whether you’re an individual looking to enhance the beauty and safety of your home or a business in need of top-notch staircase railings, look no further than Luxury Staircase Railings. With our commitment to delivering exceptional quality and craftsmanship, we offer the perfect solution to elevate your space with stunning railings, handrails, and railing systems.