Hanging New Wallpaper

Knowing what to do before hanging your new wallpaper is critical to getting the job done right

Hanging wallpaper is a decorating chore people dislike the most because so few know how to do it the right way...the simple way. Keep reading because below is a simple 4 step process to hanging wallpaper the right way.

Have you ever tried hanging wallpaper only to find it won’t stay up? There’s tons of information about how to hang wallpaper, but it’s important to know the pre-hanging tips.Having a concrete knowledge will give a better result. While knowing how to install wallpaper is imperative, knowing what to do before putting up your new wallpaper is too. 

Step #1

The first step is choosing your size. The most available widths are 36 inches. While the width generally stays the same, the length will vary. After taking your wall measurements, figure out how many square feet your new wallpaper roll can cover. You’ll have to divide up the number of square feet per roll by the room area. Remember to purchase at least 2 more rolls than you originally planned. Mistakes do happen when putting up new wallpaper.

Step #2

After you’ve made your measurements you must decide on the type of wallpaper you want. There are numerous types out there. The first most common is natural fabrics, which are authentic cloths. These can be a bit costly, very difficult to clean, and even harder to install. Another style of new wallpaper is fabric-backed vinyl, which is very nice for bathrooms and kitchens because it’s easy to clean, but isn’t usually pre-pasted. Paper-backed vinyl is the most practical because it’s not difficult to clean, and it is pre-pasted. There are other new wallpaper styles available.

Step #3

Before you can begin hanging it, you must first prepare your wall. If there’s any old wallpaper on your walls, make sure you remove it beforehand. Your walls must be clean and free of dirt; otherwise it won’t make for a smooth seal. All holes should be patched and any loose pieces should be removed from the wall. Newly painted, spackled or drywalls should be covered with a primer-sealer, and allowed to dry for over 20 hours. Also, remember to switch off the electrical power, and remove all switch plates and outlet coverings. This may seem like a lot of work for hanging new wallpaper, but it’s necessary.

Step #4

The next step is the pasting process. Wallpaper is generally pasted, but if you’ve decided on doing it the other way you must remember that the paste needs to be bought in a liquid form that’s premixed, which can be a bit more expensive, or in the powder form that requires you to mix it yourself. For every 1 pound of the powder form you will have enough paste for a little over 6 rolls of new wallpaper. For every 1 gallon of the already mixed paste you will have enough for 3 rolls of your new wallpaper. Use a paintbrush on the back of your wallpaper and work from the ends of the sheet to the dead center. Remember to book the paper, and let set for 5 minutes before hanging. Enjoy your new wallpaper.

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