Using wallpaper can be a fantastic way to transform a room, adding some personality and individuality. However, as with most decorating-related projects, the secret to achieving a great finish is often not the wallpaper itself, but the preparation that goes on before the paper is hung. The question is, should you line walls before wallpapering?
Using lining paper first before the wallpaper can be part of the prep process. Lining paper is effectively an additional layer of plain paper – available in various thicknesses referred to as “grades” – which evens out the wall surface, both in terms of its smoothness and its porosity. Using lining paper therefore results in a smoother finish, with better and more even adhesion of the wallpaper. It also expands slightly when you apply the wallpaper, and then pulls back as it dries, which can prevent wallpaper seams from opening. Oh, and it absorbs excess paste, which could cause problems.
However, it is an extra cost, because it’s an additional process; effectively the room gets wallpapered twice, and although lining paper as a material isn’t expensive, it does take time to hang it.
In my day-to-day role as a professional decorator, customers often ask me if it’s really worth the expense to line the walls first before wallpapering. In this blog we’ll look at the pros and cons of lining, we’ll examine some situations where you would (and wouldn’t) line, and we’ll look at some alternative ways of achieving a perfect finish if you decide against lining.
What is Lining Paper, and Why is it Used?
Put simply, lining paper is plain wallpaper without any pattern printed on it. It is used primarily to smooth out imperfections in the wall, so providing a smoother surface for the wallpaper to be stuck to.
Nobody wants the look of their expensive wallpaper to be ruined by having lumps and bumps in it. Walls almost always have some degree of imperfections in them – the amount varies of course.
Holes and cracks can be filled and sanded, but it’s not always easy to create a perfect surface for the wallpaper to be hung on, and lining paper can be your friend here to smooth out those imperfections.
Because it’s available in different grades, you can choose one that is appropriate for how “imperfect” your walls are – as a rule, the worse the condition of the walls, the thicker (higher grade) the lining paper you should use.
As well as evening out the physical surface, lining paper can help even out the porosity of the wall. If your walls have been patched, filled, partially replastered etc over the years, the various materials may be more (or less) porous, meaning more (or less) absorbent.
Some areas of the wall may therefore soak up (too much) paste like a sponge, while other areas will behave differently. Using lining paper allows you to solve all these problems before you get to hang your expensive wallpaper.
Pros and Cons of Lining Walls Before Wallpapering
Pros
- Better surface, evening out imperfections and resulting in a smoother finish.
- Better adhesion (resolves porosity issues), making hanging the finish paper easier and helping to eliminate common problems such as peeling, bubbling, shrinkage issues, poor joints and seams, etc.
- Lining paper is more absorbent than plaster walls, so it absorbs excess paste, making it less likely for paste to escape through the seams onto your finish paper.
- Some lining papers have added benefits. For example, in the Victorian property (before and after photos above) we used Wallrock Thermal Liner, which acts as a layer of insulation as well, making the room feel warmer and reducing condensation problems.
Cons
- Added time and cost
- Not always necessary (see below)
Situations When You Would (and Wouldn’t) Line the Walls
As a rule, lining the walls before wallpapering is best practice. Whether or not you choose to do it in any given circumstance will probably depend on the following factors:
Condition of the walls
If the walls are newly plastered, they should be smooth enough that lining isn’t strictly necessary from a “smoothness” perspective (click here for more on wallpapering new plaster).
Similarly, if the walls are in good condition, you’re thorough with your filling and have a dustless sanding set-up to get them perfectly smooth, then you may not need to line. But if you need to do a lot of filling, and even after sanding the walls aren’t looking/feeling perfect, then lining is probably advisable.
Wallpaper type
“Paste-the-wall” papers are becoming increasingly popular. There is a view (I’m not saying that I buy into it!) that the act of pasting the wall helps to smooth out some imperfections and so may make lining less of a necessity.
Budget
This is often the deciding factor – clients aren’t always happy to pay extra for something that they don’t see, and even when they understand the benefits in theory, it’s not always easy to persuade them to part with the extra money.
Alternatives to Lining Walls
Fill and sand
If the walls are in reasonable condition, you may be able to get them smooth enough for a satisfactory finish by filling and sanding, especially if you are set up for dustless sanding.
Use a textured wallpaper
Using textured paper (either with a printed pattern or paintable paper) is another option, as the texture can help to disguise or hide most imperfections on the walls underneath. If you ever wondered why woodchip used to be so popular, there’s your answer!
Hire a plasterer
If the walls are in a really bad state, getting a plasterer in to skim them may actually work out quicker than trying to salvage them with filling, sanding (repeat ad infinitum!) and lining.
Skim the walls yourself
Or you could have a go at skimming your walls yourself using a product like Dalapro Roll Nova. This is a type of filler that you apply by roller and then smooth out. Click here for more information.
Conclusion
Generally, using lining paper is best practice to help you achieve a better finish. While it may not always be necessary if the walls are already (or can be made) super-smooth, it never does any harm to line.
There will always be the budget argument, and as professional tradespeople we can never force a client to spend money if they don’t want to, we can only advise on what we feel is the best course of action. At the end of the day, the decision will depend on the condition of the walls, and the client’s budget.
FAQs
How soon can I hang my wallpaper after lining the walls?
To some extent it will depend on conditions – if the rooms is cold and damp, it will take longer for the lining paper to be ready to wallpaper over. Always check your lining paper instructions, as they are not all the same, and some will give specific guidance on this subject. As a general guide, you need to wait for the paste on the lining paper to dry properly, so I would say a minimum of 24 hours.
What grade of lining paper should I use?
It really depends on the condition of your walls. Something like 1000 grade is fine for walls that are in good condition, 1400 for walls in average condition, and even higher for walls that are in poorer condition. Or if they’re really rough, get a plasterer in to skim them!
Should I hang lining paper vertically or horizontally?
As a rule, if you are going to just paint the lining paper afterwards, it’s fine to hang it in vertical strips. If you’re planning to wallpaper on top, it’s better to hang the lining paper horizontally, because it eliminates the risk of joints appearing in the same place (which could lead to problems). Unless, of course, your client wants their wallpaper to be hung horizontally (see below), in which case you should hang the lining paper vertically!
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