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How to Hang Wallpaper
An Overview
part 1
Starting point
Your point will also be your finishing point if you are doing all four walls. For this reason, the starting point will be a mismatch in the end.
Start in an inconspicuous area. Some like to start in the corner of the entry door. but above the door entry into a room is the least conspicuous spot in the room. This will make your mismatch on a short piece too, rather than the full length of the wall. This is one of the most common starting points. The corner of the entry door is the second best starting point as the mismatch in the corner is a little less noticeable.
If you have an archway that extends from floor to ceiling, that would be even better than above an entry door as there is no meeting point between first and last piece in that scenario.
Hanging direction
Right handed paperhangers will hang from the right to the left. Left handed paperhangers will hang from left to right as they proceed through a room. Hanging in this manner will allow you to use your right hand (if right handed) better and vise versa.
Note: There isn’t an absolute right or wrong on the hanging direction. In the video, you will see the paperhanger working from left to right.
Engineering
Before you begin hanging , you will want to be sure that your seams don’t occur too close to a window or outside corner etc.., creating a silver piece of wallpaper. The other reason for engineering is that is allows the paperhanger to pre-cut the wallpaper pieces ahead of time -either the whole room (many/most professionals do it that way) or at least several pieces at a time. See Engineering
Pattern Matches
Straight Match: With the straight match, your “cutting point” (which becomes the top of the strip ) of each strip will be the same on every piece. All strips are the same with the straight match. With a straight match you will measure the length you need for the strip and go to the “next” cutting point and cut the strip there.
Drop Match: You will have two “cutting points” with a drop match. The cutting point (top of sheet) alternates every other piece on the drop match. You will have a strip A and a strip B with a drop match which will alternate every other strip on the wall. With a drop match you will measure the length you need and then go to the “other” or “opposite” cutting point to cut at the bottom (which is the “top” of the next strip. Alternating cutting points.
Random Match: Random matches have less waste than either straight match or drop match. There isn’t a fixed cutting point with random match paper. You will measure the length you need, then add 4 inches and cut there.
More detailed instruction on cutting down the room will be the subject of a future article. You will find it referenced here when written and a link to it.
Pasting/Activating
Whether you are using paste or pre-paste activator the mechanics of “pasting” are the same. Don’t use the water tray for pre-pasted paper see Hanging Pre-Pasted Wallpaper. Use a roller, five gallon bucket and roller grid for “pasting” the wall covering.
Lay you strips out in proper installation order, back side up on the table. Starting at the top of the strip, apply the paste/activator with the roller completely covering the whole length of the table. Fold the paper and complete the rest of the strip. Book the strip together and allow it to “book” or set the required time (check label for booking times), this will allow the paper to expand off the wall.
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Inspection
There are a few things you will look at upon your pre-hang inspection.
Be sure you have all the same lot Wallpaper shading and ink color can vary a little (or a lot) from one run to the next.
Be sure you have the right quantity.
Look for defects. Open a few rolls and spread them out partially on the table. Look for defects in printing. Be sure the pattern matches up and the bias is good also.
Wallpaper hanging is something that a DIY'er can readily do.
To do a clean, professional job, there are a few tricks of the trade that will help in hanging wallpaper.
One of the easiest things a DIY'er can do which will go a long way toward doing a clean job is to simply change razor blades - often.
This article is an overview of the wallpapering process. More specific articles can be found in the article index.
Activating the Glue
Wallpaper Tools
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