Since the coronavirus had us all spending much more time within our four walls, we’ve found ourselves venturing out into new DIY possibilities. For this reason, I thought it would be a good idea to team up with BRICOFLOR UK and provide a top tip guide for wallpapering.
Order Enough Wallpaper
This one may seem like a given, but you’d be surprised how crucial this is (and how often it is forgotten). Every wallpaper has a batch number, so buying rolls from the same batch will ensure a seamless pattern continuation without discolouration. While the differences may only be minor, this can significantly reduce the overall appearance of the finished wallpaper look. BRICOFLOR UK recommend buying 5-10% excess on wallpaper orders, to make sure that there is enough spare if anything goes wrong. If it is your first-time wallpapering, maybe even get a little extra. After all, it’s better to be safe than sorry!
Measure Well
Again, this might seem quite self-explanatory, but there really is no harm in double checking. It is also vital to take pattern matching into consideration, as some wallpaper patterns require a certain distance before the pattern will directly match again. Luckily, this information can easily be found on the product page:
As you can see here, to match the pattern again, you need to allow 3cm. Pattern repeats need to be accounted for in every drop, except the first one. So, after calculating how many drops you need using the width and the height of the wall, you can then factor pattern matching into the equation. BRICOFLOR UK actually have an informative blog article on how to calculate this, if you want to read more.
Assess the appropriateness of the wallpaper for the desired room
This is something you should definitely take into consideration, especially for installation in bathrooms. As you can imagine, a humid bathroom environment requires a humidity resistant wallpaper. For example, you could opt for a vinyl wallpaper for a bathroom as it is water resistant, or likewise you could go for a fiberglass wallpaper, due to its resistance to water, rot and mould. Likewise, if you’ve got a toddler at home who has a knack for destroying the walls with crayons, opting for a wallpaper suitable for scrubbing could be a great option.
This information can easily be found on the product page, so it’s definitely worth checking that you’re getting the perfect wallpaper for the desired space.
Adhesives
Another thing to pay attention to is the adhesive application. You either apply the adhesive directly to the surface to be wallpapered, or you apply it on the back of the wallpaper itself. These requirements are also clearly located on the product page:
For example, on this product page you can see that the wallpaper paste should be applied onto the back of the wallpaper. While the wallpaper may hang up if the paste is applied incorrectly, it would not ensure durability of the wallpaper and you would jeopardise the final look and performance of the wall covering. It is also essential to purchase the correct wallpaper paste for the chosen wall covering. For example, non-woven wallpapers require a specific wallpaper paste (which is often called non-woven wallpaper paste), so be sure to check which wallpaper paste your wallpaper needs.
Preparation is key
It may feel ridiculous to prepare a wall so much when it’s literally going to be covered up by a wallpaper, but preparation is key. It is essential to wash off all existing paste from previous wallpaper and rinse the wall to ensure mould does not grow through the new wall covering. Next, ensure the wall is flat and smooth, as with some wallpapers, these inconsistencies may show through. Make sure to fill any holes or imperfections in the wall and sand down to ensure a smooth finish.
So, we hope this has given you an insight on how to wallpaper, and has put you at ease with any concerns you may have had. While this list of tips is not exhaustive, we feel these are the most essential things to pay attention to when beginning a DIY wallpaper project. Why not check out the wallpaper range at BRICOFLOR UK?
Collaborative post
© Copyright 2021 Antonia, All rights Reserved. Written For: Tidylife
