How to Hang Wallpaper
By , This Old House magazine
- Time: 6 to 8 hours
- Cost: $16 to $35 per roll
- Difficulty: Moderate
Shopping & Tool Lists
- Supplies You Will Need:
- 1. PREMIXED STARCH-BASED ADHESIVE
2. VINYL-TO-VINYL ADHESIVESfor installing borders and securing corners when using vinyl wallpaper
3. SPRAY-ON RUBBER CEMENTfor applying wallpaper to switch and receptacle plates
4. STIR STICKSfor mixing paste
5. 3/4-INCH-NAP ROLLER COVERSfor spreading paste
6. SEA OR CELLULOSE SPONGESfor cleaning wallpaper after smoothing
7. TERRY-CLOTH RAGfor cleaning woodwork and ceiling after sponging
- Tools You Will Need:
-
1. Rectangular sponge,
for initial smoothing of wallpaper
2. 5-gallon paste bucket, nylon brush, and 3/4-inch-nap paint roller
3. Allen wrenches,
for removing towel bars in bathrooms prior to papering
4. 2- and 4-foot levels,
for drawing plumb lines on wall and guiding long cuts
5. 10-inch torpedo level,
for plumbing short pieces above and below windows
6. Utility knives with snap-off blades, and single-sided razor blades,
to cut and trim paper
7. Scissors
8. Folding rule and tape measure
9. 6-inch, 3/4-inch, and 1½-inch putty knives,
for guiding cuts along trim
10. Screwdriver,
for removing and replacing switch plates and receptacle covers
11. Smoothers,
for final smoothing of wallpaper
Introduction
Wallpaper first appeared in the 16th century, in the form of black-and-white hand-blocked prints, and it remains a favorite way to bring color, texture, and personality to a home. Bold patterns and deep colors make any room seem more intimate, while light-toned papers with delicate prints convey a feeling of spaciousness.
Whatever effect a homeowner desires, achieving it demands equal measures of art and engineering, says painting and decorating contractor John Dee. For him, the smooth, seamless look and good adhesion that signify a top-quality installation begin with a properly prepared substrate and end with exacting attention to each room's particular topography. Where walls are out of plumb, for instance, he cuts and overlaps the paper at the corners so adjacent patterns line up precisely.
Dee's advice to novice wallpaper hangers: begin with small, easy-to-match patterns. "Work patiently and steadily, and you'll get tight seams and a professional look."