choosing the right adhesive
modern version of Victorian lincrusta is called
anaglypta.
Most of the adhesives described here come premixed, unless otherwise noted.
Clay-based adhesives dry quickly and grip well. Use them to install heavy
Cork and wood-veneer wallcoverings are finely
milled and manufactured to use cork and rare
vinyls, Mylar, foils, or canvas-backed coverings or to adhere wall liners to irregular
woods efficiently. Typical veneer dimensions are
surfaces such as concrete block or paneling. Caution: clays stain delicate materials.
1⁄64 in. thick, 1 ft. to 4 ft. wide, and 12 ft. long.
They may attack paint substrates, and they probably dry too quickly for amateurs to
Such specialty coverings may be available
use successfully.
through suppliers of professional paperhangers.
Clear adhesives may be the best all-around pastes. They’re strippable, grip
Borders are thin strips of wallcovering that run
almost as well as clays, and won’t stain. clear adhesives are frequently classified
along the edges of walls where they meet ceilings,
either as standard mix (good for most lightweight coverings) or as heavy duty (for
wainscoting, and trim. They can be installed over
weightier coverings).
wallcovering or directly to drywall or plaster. The
Cellulose has the least grip of any adhesive in this listing, but it’s strong
surface determines the adhesive.
enough for delicate papers—especially for fine english wallpapers and unbacked
murals. it won’t stain but is somewhat less convenient because it comes as a powder
to be mixed with water.
Vinyl-to-vinyl adhesive is recommended for adhering vinyl borders over
vinyl wallcoverings or new vinyl wallcovering over old. it’s so tenacious that it can’t
be stripped without destroying the substrate, so wipe up stray adhesive immediately.
A Wal oF Your oWN
it’s also used to adhere wall liners, Mylar, and foil.
Prepaste activator makes prepasted wallcoverings easier to install. it
Thanks to technology, you can have wall cover-
improves adhesion, while letting you avoid the mess of water trays. Prepaste activa-
ings fabricated with virtually any pattern or
tors are rolled on, which conveniently increases slip time, the time in which you can
image you want, including historical documents
adjust wallcovering after hanging it.
or wall-size photos of family members. The cost
Seam adhesive typically comes in a tube, reattaches lifted seams and
has come down a lot. Make sure these special
tears, and is compatible with all wallcoverings. after applying seam adhesive, roll
coverings are treated with a protective coating
the seam.
such as a clear acrylic for easier cleaning.
538 chapter 19
Ordering Wal covering
P R O T I P
Start by calculating the square footage of your
walls and ceilings. Once you’ve determined the
When you pick up a shipment
overall square footage, subtract 12 sq. ft. for each
of wallcovering, check the code
number and run number on the
average-size door and window. To determine the
label packed with each roll. code
total number of rolls you’ll need, divide the
numbers indicate pattern and
square footage by the square footage listed on the
color. run numbers tell what dye
rolls. If you’re using American single rolls (see
lot you’re getting. The dyes of
“How Much on a Roll?” below), you could
different runs can vary consider-
instead divide by 36 (the number of square feet
ably and will be especially
on each roll). But dividing by 30 gives you an
noticeable side by side. so if you
allowance for waste.
must accept different runs to
complete a job, use the smaller
quantity in a part of the room
that isn’t as conspicuous.
Patterns tend to be current for
LiFe oN the edge
at least two years.
The edges of most wallcoverings are pretrimmed
at the factory, allowing you to butt them together
after matching the patterns. If the edges aren’t
pretrimmed, do it yourself with a razor knife and
long straightedge. Untrimmed edges are called
selvage.
The wallcovering type determines which type of paste you
If the edges of a pretrimmed roll are frayed,
need. Pastes come premixed, as shown, or as powders that
refuse that roll. Similarly, refuse vinyls with
are mixed with water. Many wallcoverings are prepasted
edges that have become crimped in shipping or
and require that you either roll prepaste activator onto
storage because they cannot be rolled flat. To
their backing or soak them in water.
avoid damaging the edges yourself, always store
the rolls flat—rather than on end.
PasTes
Like wallcoverings, pastes have evolved. Probably
the best advice is to follow the manufacturer’s
paste specifications, usually printed on the wall-
covering label, along with the code and run num-
How Much on a roll?
bers. If the paste isn’t specified, ask your supplier
to get that information from the manufacturer.
Wallcovering rolls (also called bolts) are
Wheat pastes were the standard for centuries,
available in american single rolls, euro rolls
but that changed in the 1960s and 1970s, with
(metric), and commercial widths. at this writ-
the introduction of vinyl wallcoverings. Trapped
ing, euro rolls dominate the market.
behind an impervious skin of vinyl, wheat paste
american single rolls are 18 in. to 36 in.
was an ideal medium for mold. Moreover, wheat
wide. (a 27-in. width is comfortable for most
paste wasn’t strong enough to bond many of the
newer, thicker materials. Wheat pastes are occa-
people.) The wider rolls generate fewer seams
sionally specified for delicate wallpaper, but clay-
but are much more difficult to handle.
or starch-based adhesives with additives that
Whatever the width of an american single roll,
increase grip and discourage mold have largely
it will contain 36 sq. ft. of material.
supplanted them.
euro rolls are 201⁄2 in. to 28 in. wide
Pastes come premixed or as powders to be
and are generally sold as double rolls (twice
mixed with water. Premixed pastes are generally
as long). Typically, there are 56 sq. ft. to
stronger, more consistent, and more convenient.
60 sq. ft. on a euro roll.
Once opened, however, they have a relatively
commercial coverings are typically
short life. In general, the thicker the paste, the
48 in. to 54 in. wide, beyond the skills of most
quicker it dries and the greater the weight it
nonprofessionals to hang.
can support.
Wallpapering
539
Wall coverings, adhesives, and application
wALL CoVErInG
AdHESIVES And APPLICATIon
CoMMEnTS
Prepasted
Paste already on backing; soak in
To avoid mess of water tray, roll prepaste
water tray or machine according to
activator onto backing, which allows
manufacturer’s recommendations.
longer work time.
Lightweight vinyl
standard clear adhesive; kitchen and
To avoid stretching vinyl when smoothing,
bath adhesive with mildewcide in
use rubber squeegee or plastic wallcovering
high-humidity areas
smoother.
Heavy vinyl
Heavy-duty clear adhesive;
if surface to be covered is rough or
clay-based adhesive
textured, install liner first.
Vinyl border over vinyl
vinyl-over-vinyl adhesive
if adhesive gets on facing, sponge off
covering; new vinyl
immediately.
covering over old vinyl
Vinyl border over flat paint
standard clear adhesive;
sponge paste off walls quickly.
vinyl-over-vinyl adhesive
wallpaper (including
cellulose adhesive;
smooth with soft-bristle brush; if paste
delicate English papers)
standard clear adhesive
gets on facing, blot off with damp sponge.
natural fibers (grasses,
Follow manufacturer’s
Fibers vary greatly; some are vinyl coated
rice paper, bamboo)
recommendation, usually clear adhesive.
and durable; dry-hang delicate types.
Paper-backed fabrics
cellulose adhesive;
Dry-hanging usually best, test-hang small
standard clear adhesive
sample to be sure; avoid getting adhesive
on fabric face.
Paper-backed upholstery,
Heavy-duty clear adhesive
requires stronger bond; roll adhesive onto
drapery, or other heavy fabric
backing, but test-hang small sample to be sure.
raw (unbacked) fabric
cellulose adhesive;
Dry-hang; avoid getting adhesive on fabric
standard clear adhesive
face; test-hang sample to be sure.
Foils; Mylar
clay-based adhesive; vinyl-over-vinyl
not strippable; often dry-hung
adhesive
Paper-backed murals
Follow manufacturer’s recommendation;
Follow manufacturer’s recommendations;
cellulose adhesive; standard clear adhesive.
may require liner and/or dry-hanging.
Canvas backed
clay-based adhesive
Prime wall first or adhesive and covering
may not be strippable.
Lincrusta, anaglypta
clay-based adhesive
roll adhesive onto back of covering;
coverings (embossed,
smooth with brush; don’t roll seams.
often of heavy paper)
Cork, thin wood veneer
clay-based adhesive
run liner perpendicular to finish covering;
wipe paste off face immediately.
wall liner; lining paper
clay-based adhesive; vinyl-over-vinyl
Prime walls first; smooth coat or fill
adhesive
textured walls, block, and paneling.
540 chapter 19
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7
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10
Wallpapering tools:
If the room has numerous recesses, difficult
suitable table, lay a sheet of smooth, void-free
1. Glue stick for touchups
2. Pencil
corners, or a lot of trim to cut around, order an
plywood over sawhorses.)
3. Tape measure
extra roll or two. Also, if the pattern is large,
Have a 16-ft. retractable tape measure for
4. 6-in. taping knife
you’ll waste more because you’ll need to match
measuring and marking.
5. Sponge
patterns along seams. On the back of most wall-
6. Beveled seam roller, used close to
A razor knife with replaceable blades
covering, you’ll find the pattern repeat, usually
trim and in interior corners
gives the cleanest cuts. Don’t be stingy about
stated in inches: The larger the pattern repeat,
7. Standard seam roller
replacing blades during use because dull
8. Smoother-scraper
the greater the waste. Also, order an extra roll or
blades can rip wallpaper. A professional may
9. Spring clamp to hold wallpaper
two for repairs. You never know when a roof will
use 200 to 300 blades on a big job. Some pros
while pasting
leak or a child will ding a wall.
prefer single-edge razor blades, though knives
10. Single-edge razor blades
with snap-off blades are popular, too.
11. Razor knife with snap-off blades
Equipment
12. Smoothing brush
Shears help you rough-cut from a roll.
13. Shears for rough-cutting strips
You’ll need some special tools and work surfaces
Paste brushes spread pastes on backing—
to apply your wallcovering.
or on walls, in some cases.
A spirit level will tell you whether walls
A roller and pan are needed to spread
and wallcovering edges are plumb. Be sure to
vinyl paste, which is too heavy to brush on. Ask
plumb the leading edge of the first strip of
your supplier how long the nap of the roller
wallcovering. A 4-ft. level with metal edges can
cover should be.
double as a straightedge when trimming
A smoothing brush, with soft bristles,
selvage (manufactured edges).
will smooth out the wallcovering paste.
Your pasting table should have a
A wallpaper smoother smooths
washable top about 3 ft. by 6 ft. Avoid covering
vinyls, liners, and other heavy materials.
it with newspaper because newsprint may
It is also handy for flattening the occasional
bleed. To protect the top from scarring during
paste lump.
cutting, cover the tabletop with hardboard or
A seam roller spreads glue along the
use a zinc cutting strip. (If you don’t have a
edges of the strips to ensure that seams will
stick well. Caution: Seam rollers are not
Wallpapering
541
generally recommended for delicate or finely
textured papers or grasses.
Primer-sealers for Wallcoverings
A 6-in. taping knife, also called a joint
knife, is useful for filling low spots and
PrIMEr-SEALEr TyPE
USES
CoMMEnTS
scraping off high spots in a wall. Also use this
knife to press the wallcovering snugly against
Pigmented acrylic
seals all surfaces, including
also known as universal
the trim before cutting away excess paper.
existing wallpaper, vinyl
primer-sealer; cleans up
A sponge and water pail are handy for
covering, and latex paint;
with water; protects drywall
suitable base for all wall
when coverings are stripped;
wiping excess paste off the pasting table, trim,
coverings
add pigment to hide
and most wallcovering surfaces. In general,
existing wallpaper patterns.
the sponge should be just damp. Change the
water in your pail often. To avoid creating a
Clear acrylic
same uses as for pigmented
cleans with water;
sheen along the seams, wipe entire strips, not
acrylic, but can’t bond latex
won’t protect drywall;
just the edges.
paint; suitable base for all
can’t hide patterns.
wall coverings
Other useful equipment includes a sturdy
fiberglass stepladder; a long, straight board
Heavy-duty acrylic Mostly for weighty vinyl
soaks into raw drywall,
for detecting irregularities in walls and
coverings used for
so won’t protect it when
ceilings; and plenty of clean, soft rags. If you
commercial installations
covering is stripped away.
use a prepasted wallcovering, you’ll also need
Alkyd/oil-based
seals all surfaces except
Thin with paint thinner to
a water tray in which to soak the strips to
existing wallpaper or vinyl
improve bond with existing
activate their adhesives.
coverings; fast drying
paint; protects drywall;
(2 to 4 hours); suitable
can be tinted.
base for all wall coverings
Preparing Surfaces
Surface prep determines how well coverings
Stain sealer;
Hides or contains stains from
not a primer-sealer;
adhere, hence how good the job looks and how
pigmented shellac
water and smoke, wallpaper
when dry, apply acrylic
inks, grease, crayons, and
primer-sealer topcoat.
long it lasts. Ideally, surfaces should be clean, dry,
more
flat, and stable. Before hanging wallcoverings,
assess existing surfaces. Replace or repair them
as necessary, then prime and seal them. Sealing
surfaces improves adhesion and, just as impor-
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