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Renovation 4th Edition

Page 125

by Michael Litchfield


  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  image you want, including historical documents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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  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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