Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Before Getting Started
Open and inspect wall covering for variances. Be certain all rolls are the same dye lot. Read the instructions packaged in each roll for specific hanging information. If, in addition to your wall covering you are working with border and/or fabric, it is advisable to receive and inspect all items before beginning your project.
Open and inspect wall covering for variances. Be certain all rolls are the same dye lot. Read the instructions packaged in each roll for specific hanging information. If, in addition to your wall covering you are working with border and/or fabric, it is advisable to receive and inspect all items before beginning your project.
Wall Preparation:
New Drywall - Apply primer/sealer with brush or roller. This provides a smooth even surface for the wall covering to adhere to. It will, also, be easier to remove wall covering at a later date.
Fresher plaster must be allowed to cure for 90 days before priming.
Previously Painted Walls - Sand smooth any rough spots. Fill cracks or holes with spackling compound. When dry, prime all spackeld areas. Lightly sand enameled surfaces. Be sure to clean walls with a low-sudsing household detergent. Apply primer/sealer to latex finishes to ease removability of wall covering at a later date.
Previously Papered Walls - Remove old wall coverings and sand smooth. Clean walls with a low sudsing household detergent. Apply primer/sealer, if necessary.
To prevent mold/mildew problems, wash walls with a solution of 1 part bleach to 4 parts water. This should be done before applying primer/sealer or sizing to the walls.
All walls should be sized to seal porous walls and to increase the wall's "slipping" properties. This allows for easier positioning of the new wall covering as it is being applied.
New Drywall - Apply primer/sealer with brush or roller. This provides a smooth even surface for the wall covering to adhere to. It will, also, be easier to remove wall covering at a later date.
Fresher plaster must be allowed to cure for 90 days before priming.
Previously Painted Walls - Sand smooth any rough spots. Fill cracks or holes with spackling compound. When dry, prime all spackeld areas. Lightly sand enameled surfaces. Be sure to clean walls with a low-sudsing household detergent. Apply primer/sealer to latex finishes to ease removability of wall covering at a later date.
Previously Papered Walls - Remove old wall coverings and sand smooth. Clean walls with a low sudsing household detergent. Apply primer/sealer, if necessary.
To prevent mold/mildew problems, wash walls with a solution of 1 part bleach to 4 parts water. This should be done before applying primer/sealer or sizing to the walls.
All walls should be sized to seal porous walls and to increase the wall's "slipping" properties. This allows for easier positioning of the new wall covering as it is being applied.
Getting StartedUse a plumb line to make sure your first strip and those that follow are straight. Choose an inconspicuous corner, preferably close to a window or door. Measure from the corner to a point 1/2" narrower than the width of the wallcovering. Then, drop a plumb line from that spot. When the line stops moving, hold it tightly at the baseboard with one hand and snap it with the other. The colored chalk line on the wall is now your starting point. For accuracy, snap a new line on each wall.
Cutting Lengths
Carefully measure the length required (the height of the wall), add an extra 2" top and bottom for final trimming. When using a set design mtif, cut the first length so that after final trimming, the entire motif will be placed at the top of the wall.
Pattern Matching:Before cutting more stips remember to allow for the proper pattern match. Match dry strip to dry strip or wet to wet. Save remnants, they are often useful for small areas, i.e. above windows and doors.
Pasting (Unpasted Wall coverings):
Use the type of paste recommended in the instructions. If no information is given, ask your retailer's advice. Brush or roll the back of the wallcovering with paste. Apply plenty to the edges. Fold the strip pasted side to pasted side (both edges toward teh middle). Strips should be booked to allow sufficient absorption of moisture and for the wallcovering to become supple. Normally 3-5 minutes.
Pre-Pasted Wallcoverings:Fill water tray with lukewarm water and roll the strip pattern side in. Immerse in water tray for the time recommended in the instructions supplied in each roll. Then take the top end of the roll and pull sheet out of water allowing it to unroll as it is drawn from the tray. Change water after every 6 strips. Book the strips as described in figure.
Hanging:Check which is the top end of the strip and carry folded strip to the wall. Holding the top corners, open the top fold and line up to the left of your plumbline. Establish your ceiling line and allow the 2" overlap. Smooth down the middle of the strip using a smoothing brush or soft sponge working out towards the edges removing the wrinkles and air bubbles as you go (see figure below). Open the bottom fold and continue to smooth the strip into place.
Positon the next strip on the wall beside the first and slide it precisely into position against the first piece so that the pattern matches at normal eye level. Don't push or pull seams into place. Move entire piece by sliding it over. Do not overlap edges; butt edges, if necessary, using a seam roller to gently flatten the joints between strips approximately 20 minutes after hanging. After you finish each strip, immediately sponge off any extra paste with clean water. Wash ceiling and baseboards before they dry.
To ensure your satisfaction, hang three strips and inspect for you overall approval. If there is a problem, contact your retailer for advice. If the problem is related to a manufacturing defect, the manufacturer will replace any defective material. The manufacturer is not responsible for labor charges.)
After you have three strips up, trim them at the ceiling and baseboard using a broad knife as a guide and cutting with a safety knife. Be careful not to mar wall covering.Corners:
Never hand a full width of paper around an inside corner, always hand the paper in two parts. First, measure the distance from the edge of the last strip you have hung to the corner. Do this at several points between the ceiling and the baseboard to find the greatest distance.
Cut a strip of wall covering (1/2") wider than this distance. (Save the remainder of the strip). Hang the first side into the corner and onto the next wall. Measure the remaining strip (second side). Use the width to measure to the right of the corner and drop a plumbline. It will overlap the first strip into the corner. Match as closely as possible. Any slight paper mathc won't show. Reglue the overlap using vinyl to vinyl adhesive.
Doors / Windows:
Hang wall covering right over the windows and doors. Then cut away excess with scissors, leaving a few inches of overlap all around. Make diagonal cuts into the corners then smooth wall covering into the edge of the frame and trim as usual with your safety knife.
Ceilings:
Paper ceiling before the walls. Apply the wall covering across the narrow width of the room. Measure the width of the wall covering and subtract (1/2"). Measure this distance from both corners of the short wall and insert tacks at these points. Tie chalk line to tacks and snap to create a guideline. Measure and cut strips 4" longer than the length for trimming. After activating adhesive, fold in a concertina, allow to relax. Support the paper with broom-head (a partner may be needed here). Open the first fold, slide into position against guideline and smooth as usual. Unfold strip, fold by fold, and brush into position leaving 1/2" overlapping the wall.
Switch plates and electric outlets:
Turn off electricity. Remember you are using water. Smooth strip gently over the fitting. Pierce paper at the center of fitting and make diagonal cuts toward each corner. Press paper around edge. Trim away surplus. You can cover the outlets and switch plates with leftover wall coverings.
Hanging Borders:
Measure wall width corner to corner. Each border strip should extend to full width of wall plus (1/2") to extend around corners.
Submerge border in water tray for prescribed time, fold in a concertina, and apply to the wall. If being applied over wall covering, a vinyl to vinyl adhesive must be used. Hand border, wrapping corners by about 1/4". Smooth as you go. Make sure you wipe with clean sponge to remove excess paste.
Repairing damages:
Cut a piece of extra wall covering slightly larger than the damaged area. Paste it in place over the spot, carefully matching the pattern. Using a straight edge (broad knife) and safety knife, cut through both layers of wall coverings, remove excess paper and position new patch into the opening.
Type of Match:
Random Match - Patterns that do not have specific match points, i.e. Textures
Drop Match - Pattern runs diagonally across wall so that every other strip is the same along the ceiling line. Design may form a diamond grid effect.
Straight Across Match - Forms an overall design motif. Same elements of design in each strip is equal distance from ceiling line.
Free Match - The design elements are separated by the trim going between strips. You may need to align design motifs to maintain consistence of form.
Never hand a full width of paper around an inside corner, always hand the paper in two parts. First, measure the distance from the edge of the last strip you have hung to the corner. Do this at several points between the ceiling and the baseboard to find the greatest distance.
Cut a strip of wall covering (1/2") wider than this distance. (Save the remainder of the strip). Hang the first side into the corner and onto the next wall. Measure the remaining strip (second side). Use the width to measure to the right of the corner and drop a plumbline. It will overlap the first strip into the corner. Match as closely as possible. Any slight paper mathc won't show. Reglue the overlap using vinyl to vinyl adhesive.
Doors / Windows:Hang wall covering right over the windows and doors. Then cut away excess with scissors, leaving a few inches of overlap all around. Make diagonal cuts into the corners then smooth wall covering into the edge of the frame and trim as usual with your safety knife.
Ceilings:
Paper ceiling before the walls. Apply the wall covering across the narrow width of the room. Measure the width of the wall covering and subtract (1/2"). Measure this distance from both corners of the short wall and insert tacks at these points. Tie chalk line to tacks and snap to create a guideline. Measure and cut strips 4" longer than the length for trimming. After activating adhesive, fold in a concertina, allow to relax. Support the paper with broom-head (a partner may be needed here). Open the first fold, slide into position against guideline and smooth as usual. Unfold strip, fold by fold, and brush into position leaving 1/2" overlapping the wall.
Switch plates and electric outlets:Turn off electricity. Remember you are using water. Smooth strip gently over the fitting. Pierce paper at the center of fitting and make diagonal cuts toward each corner. Press paper around edge. Trim away surplus. You can cover the outlets and switch plates with leftover wall coverings.
Hanging Borders:Measure wall width corner to corner. Each border strip should extend to full width of wall plus (1/2") to extend around corners.
Submerge border in water tray for prescribed time, fold in a concertina, and apply to the wall. If being applied over wall covering, a vinyl to vinyl adhesive must be used. Hand border, wrapping corners by about 1/4". Smooth as you go. Make sure you wipe with clean sponge to remove excess paste.
Repairing damages:Cut a piece of extra wall covering slightly larger than the damaged area. Paste it in place over the spot, carefully matching the pattern. Using a straight edge (broad knife) and safety knife, cut through both layers of wall coverings, remove excess paper and position new patch into the opening.
Type of Match:Random Match - Patterns that do not have specific match points, i.e. Textures
Drop Match - Pattern runs diagonally across wall so that every other strip is the same along the ceiling line. Design may form a diamond grid effect.
Straight Across Match - Forms an overall design motif. Same elements of design in each strip is equal distance from ceiling line.
Free Match - The design elements are separated by the trim going between strips. You may need to align design motifs to maintain consistence of form.
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