DIY

Thinking of doing it yourself? (DIY). Well, now you can. We will provide you with all the necessary information you will need to hang your own wallpaper.

Most wallpapers you purchase these days are pre-pasted which makes the job very easy. All the application instructions are provided on the back of each roll. It will give you the soaking time that is required and will show you the ideal way to get the best result.

Remember, the more time and care you take to prepare the area, the better your walls are going to look.

WHAT DO THESE WORDS MEAN?

EASY PEEL

This makes the process of changing your wallpaper very easy. Simply peel off the vinyl surface, leaving the backing paper on the wall to hang your new wallpaper.

SCRUBBABLE

This is a fantastic idea. Whether you have got kids, grandkids, pets or just everyday dust and grime you can simply wash down your wallpaper to make it look brand new.

PRE-PASTED

Pre-pasted means no glue or mess to clean up. Simply soak your wallpaper in water for the recommended time and hang.

EASY PAPER

This means the wallpaper is pre-pasted, scrubbable and easy peel.

GETTING READY

The tools you will need to hang your wallpaper are:

• Water Trough                
• Trimming Knife
• Roller or Brush
• Scissors
• Sponge
• Pencil
• Smoother
• Ruler
• Table/Bench
• Straight Edge
• Plumb Line
• Sand Paper (80grit)
• Step Ladder
• Wall Size

PREPERATION

Before you begin hanging your wallpaper it is extremely important to prepare the wall/s correctly. Any existing wallpaper should be removed. The walls must be clean, dry and greese freeand structually sound. If you have any water damage it is advised to get that fixed before continuing. Before hanging the wallpaper an oil based sealer should be used. When the area is dry, sand, dust and size before hanging the wallpaper. If the wall you are wallpapering has been previously painted with enamel you must wash the wall down with sugar soap, rinse with clean water, allow to dry,sand, dust, size and hang.

HOW MANY ROLLS DO I NEED?

Most wallpaper roll sizes are 10m x 52cm. You need to measure the width and height of the wall/s you are doing. You need to multiply the width of the room by 2 and then multiply that figure by the height of the room. Add 4 to the total which will then give you the figure of how many metres of wallpaper you will need.

FOR EXAMPLE: 3.3m (Width) x 2.2m (Height)

3.3m(W) x 2= 6.6 x 2.2m(H) + 4 = 18.52m (2Rolls)

If you are unsure of what to do, don't hesitate to call us or drop us an e-mail. You will find our details in the Contact Us section.

FINAL CHECK

Before you start hanging your wallpaper be sure to check you have the correct quantity you require to complete the job. Make sure you have received the correct wallpaper pattern. Always start in a corner and work away from the main source of natural light. Don't rush. Take your time.

CUTTING THE PAPER

Measure one wall from skirting to ceiling allowing an extra 5cm each end to allow for trimming. Repeat the process until you have completed the wall.

PATTERN REPEATS

Straight and 1/2 drop are the two types of patterns you need to know about. With the straight pattern, each roll of wallpaper is hung the same. 1/2 drop pattern means that every second peice is the same side by side.

MAKE A PLUMB LINE

Be sure not to assume that your structual fixtures are all straight, square and true. Measure the width of your paper. Come back 15mm towards the corner and make a mark on the wall close to the ceiling. Put a small nail in which you will hang your plumb line from. Then either draw a line or use a chalk line from the ceiling to the floor.

PRE-PASTED WALLPAPER SOAKING

Once you have pre cut your wallpaper, immerse the wallpaper in a water trough for approximately 15 seconds ensuring that the paste on the back is totally wet. Lay the wallpaper on a plastic sheet pasted side up folding each end to the centre. Drain and allow the sheets to relax for a further 3 minutes before hanging. The reason for folding the paper before hanging is to let the glue spread evenly, slows down the drying process and allows the paper to expand.

UNPASTED WALLPAPER SOAKING

When you go to mix the paste for your wallpaper be sure to read the instructions on the packet. You can apply the paste to the roll with a brush or roller. Follow the same procedure as with the pre-pasted.

PASTE THE WALL HANGING

When applying the paste to the wall, make sure you apply the paste a bit wider than the wallpaper. Once you have applied your first length of wallpaper smooth on with a lay brush or a smooth applicator. Trim the over hanging sections and repeat the process.

HANGING THE 1ST STRIP

The first strip should be positioned hard up against the plumb line with the opposite edge going in the corner. You will have some overhang. Smooth out the wallpaper, remove all bubbles and make sure the wallpaper is adhering to the wall. Trim off any excess around each of the walls with a sharp snap off knife.

SPECIAL CARE ON CORNERS

When applying wallpaper into corners, be sure to double check your measurements allowing for structual error. You need to measure both top and bottom taking the bigger measurement of the two and allowing an extra 15mm to wrap around into the adjoining wall. For your second corner length, put another plumb line down the wall at a distance from the corner that is the same width as the paper. Hang the next sheet from the plumb line back into the corner where it should overlap the first sheet by 15mm. Outside corners should be approached the same way but allow for a 30mm wrap around. The length on the opposite corner is hung 5mm in from the corner edge.

HANDLING SWITCHES & POWERPOINTS

Before hanging the wallpaper, lay the wallpaper over the fittings you are working around. Mark the 4 corners of each fitting. With your scissors, cut from the centre of the 4 corners around your fitting shape. Some fittings can be loosened so cut with a sharp blade knife and trim as close to the edge as possible for a nice clean cut finish. 

AROUND DOORS & WINDOWS

With doors and window frames, hang the full length of the wallpaper so it overlaps the frame. Once you have smoothed the paper, cut on a diagonal to the corner point of the frame. Lift the flaps, smoothing out the paper into the edges of the frameand trim off any excess.

BORDERS

Once you have chosen your border/s you then need to decide where on the wall you want your border to sit. Once you have done that, use a level to get a straight horizontal line drawing a light line on the wall so you can get a straight line when applying the border.

CUTTING BORDERS

There must always be 4 points visible before making your cut. For left or right diagonal cuts, windows, doors and architraves making your cut with a straight edge knife through both layers. Remove excess and smooth out. If the border is not pre-pasted cut the lengths that you will require, wet the borders and apply a coat of border adhesive. If the wall requires more than 1 length, the 2nd length should overlap the 1st to match the pattern. Once in position, cut through both layers, remove excess and smooth out, remembering to remove all surplus paste.