Wallpapering Questions and Answers

I’ve been a decorator for the best part of two decades and wallpapering is a massive part of my working life. I thought I’d take the time to sit down and answer some of the most commonly asked questions about my craft. I really hope you find it useful.

What Should You Use to Seal the Walls Before Applying Wallpaper?

Most of the time you would use the paste you are using apply the wallpaper. All you need to do is heavily dilute it so the water so the paste can soak into the walls or ceiling.

A lot of the old-school decorators use a very diluted coat of PVA, however this will lead to problems when you come to strip the paper again. If the walls are in particularly bad nick, you can use Zinsser Gardz, which is the perfect stabiliser. If you’re going for this option, make sure you use a fairly strong paste as adhesion can be an issue.

I do like guardz and diluted paste, but there is a specialist product out there which will stabilise AND aid adhesion. That product is Beeline Primer Sealer. You’ll find it cheap, readily available online by clicking here and very easy to use.

Should You Line Before Wallpapering?

Yes, in most instances you should line walls and ceilings before applying wallpaper. There are a few key benefits, which I’ll go into now-

• Masking surface blemishes is the obvious one. Lining paper will give you a smooth, flat surface on which to work.
• Your finish paper will often sit better on lining paper than it will on bare plaster. Splicing is made a lot easier.
• Lining paper will absorb excess paste which cuts down on the chances of it seeping through the seams.
• Lining paper will expand slightly when you apply your finish paper, then contract and tighten again as the paste dries. This pulls everything tight and prevents seams from opening.

I used to give my clients the choice. I’d recommend the use of lining paper before installing a finish paper, then offer it as an extra. If they were happy to cover the cost of the lining, I could guarantee the work. If not, it was on them. I worked like this for several years without issue, then had a major problem on a job which wasn’t lined. The paper was low quality and too much paste was seeping through and staining it. I ended up stripping a whole hallway, lining it, and starting again (at my expense). Since then, I’ve lined every time.

Can You Paint Over Wallpaper?

Yes, you can paint over wallpaper, but it isn’t ideal. You should apply a test patch of emulsion to ensure the paper isn’t going to bubble, then test for adhesion. If your paper is a smooth vinyl, you may need to use an adhesion primer first. Zinsser do a product called Wallpaper Cover-up which is designed for exactly this task, but it’s oil-based and a bit smelly. Click here for more info.

Technically, you should use an oil-based primer first anyway. This is because oil isn’t as likely to penetrate the paper and lift it from the surface. Once on, the oil primer creates a barrier coat between wallpaper and the additional coats of paint.

Can You Wallpaper Over Wallpaper?

Old-school decorators often used to wallpaper over wallpaper…. I hate them for it!! Other than the fact someone will have to remove it all at some point, the paper doesn’t sit right. You can sometimes see the old seems through your finish paper too. The other issue is adhesion. Seams can open up if you’re not careful. So yes, you can wallpaper over old wallpaper, but don’t!!

What Is The Best Way To Remove Wallpaper?

Try to remove the vinyl layer of paper while it’s dry, then lay it flat along the floor parallel to the wall. You’ll be able to throw your wet scrapings onto this and roll it all up when you’re done. If you can’t remove the vinyl layer, score it with a knife so water can penetrate.

Then mix some hot water with either washing up liquid, or Zinsser DIF and apply to the wall or ceiling with a paint roller. Allow to soak, wet it again, then again. With a bit of luck it should come off easily. If that doesn’t work, crack open a steam stripper and really get into it!

Woodchip can be a nightmare. Visit this blog if you’re struggling.

What is The Best Wallpaper Paste to Use?

Have a look at the wallpaper manufacturer’s instructions. Sometimes they specify a particular brand. If they do, go with what they’re telling you to use, simply because it will cover you in case of any problems. A lot of the time, a manufacturer will just recommend either packet, or ready mixed paste. In which case, you’re better off going with Beeline.

Beeline is the industry leader amongst painters and decorators. They do a whole range of trade quality pastes, so it’s just a case of choosing the best paste to suit a particular paper. We do have a full Beeline Paste Guide which will help.

Are Batch Numbers Important on Wallpaper?

This is a question I’m often asked. We all know to try and buy rolls of wallpaper with matching batch numbers, but sometimes a supplier doesn’t have enough in stock. So, will anyone notice if you use different batch numbers?

No easy answer I’m afraid. Sometimes it is very apparent, a lot of the time there is no difference at all.

The papers with a white background are generally the same across different batch numbers. I’ve found papers with grey backgrounds to be the worst.

One tip I can put forward; If you are to use different batch numbers, try and break into a new batch on a new wall. Don’t go from one to the other mid-wall, as you may be left with an eyesore!!

What is the Best Way to Learn How to Wallpaper?

As mentioned in the opening paragraph, I’m a professional decorator, so I learnt my craft through working for another tradesman. That said, there is an easy and cost-effective way anyone can learn how to wallpaper. The Dulux Academy run a professional course from many locations. The course caters for anyone, from a complete novice to a decorator who needs a refresher.

During the wallpaper courses, you will be taught everything from theory to practical, then get the chance to practice wallpapering in a classroom environment. All the staff are friendly and inviting. Well worth checking out.

Non-Woven Vs Pulp Wallpaper

Non-woven, or “paste-the-wall” wallpaper is a product that doesn’t require any soak time. The paper doesn’t expand and contract when it encounters moisture, so you can apply the paste directly to the wall and hang the paper from the roll. This means no pasting table, and you need less room to work.

Pulp, or “paste the wallpaper” products do have a soak time. So, you apply the paste to the paper and then wait for the paper to become pliable before hanging it.

Non-woven papers are generally more expensive but are easier to hang (apart from intricate cuts like around lots of sockets or fire surrounds). There seems to be a move away from pulp papers, so one day, maybe every wallpaper on the market will be non-woven.

Do I Need to Remove Old Wallpaper Before Wallpapering?

Go back to the 80’s and Decorators would just apply new wallpaper over the old, so it can be done. However, modern day Decorators will advise against it. You may encounter problems with adhesion, bubbling, and wallpaper seams opening.

Besides which, that wallpaper will need to be stripped next time you decorate anyway, so you’re just kicking the problem down the line. You may as well do the job properly in the first instance. Click here for help on how to strip.

What kind of wallpaper do professionals use?

The quality of wallpaper differs dramatically between brands, and even experienced Decorators can achieve better results with better wallpapers. The thing is, price isn’t always a good indication of quality; Versace wallpaper is expensive, but it’s terrible to hang and looks atrocious.

Arthouse and I Love Wallpaper are also brands to avoid. Although a few Arthouse products aren’t too bad.

A Decorator will always steer a client towards better wallpaper. Non-woven papers are generally good (with the odd exception). Harlequin wallpaper is great quality, as is Sanderson, Graham and Brown, and SuperFresco.

Final Thoughts

I quite like wallpaper. In my career as a Decorator, I’ve seen it go from very popular, then it wasn’t really popular at all, then people started having papered feature walls. That’s when wallpaper comes into its own for me. It’s fun, and a great way to express yourself.

The wallpapering questions and answers on this blog should give you a better idea of what you can and can’t do with wallpaper. I really hope it’s helped.