DIY WALLPAPER in VAUGHAN

Many people consider attacking wallpaper installation themselves rather than calling a home interior painter. No problem, but if you haven't done it before you need to learn some basics and plan accordingly.  You might even purchase a cheap roll of wallpaper and try applying that first before taking on the actual project.  So....

​1. First you need to prep the walls - you may have heard of sizing (a wall treatment powder mixed with water) that encourages adhesion, but conversely makes it easier for removal of the paper someday down the road.

​  Next, remove electrical wall plates, covers, hanger hooks and those nagging picture hangers.  ​(Tip: When it's papering time, switch boxes and outlets will be live. You may be better to turn the power off);  Let's take a look at the steps:

1. When hanging the paper you need to match the pattern with as little extra length as possible without being too short, this helps keep the pattern repeat close and allows for the most coverage per role. Cut the paper and Re-roll it so that the top of the pattern comes out as you unroll the paper from the water trough. Most wallpapers come pre-pasted but if it doesn't, lay the paper on the floor or a longer table and roller on the paste with a 12" nap roller brush, never dunk. With pre-pasted you also have this option to pre-wet it instead of rolling it out of a water bath. Personal choice. No problem to cut more than one piece at a time making sure you calculate the the length incorporating the pattern repeat. As mentioned above, make sure not to cut your pieces (strips) too long or you may not end up with the right ratio of rolled paper to maximize the pattern repeat.  (Tip, you can overlap the paper on the flat surface you are working on and you can easily see the pattern match for cutting);
2. Hang the first piece on a door wall.  When hanging on a full wall without doors and windows use a plumb bob for a perfect vertical seam. Book the paper (fold method) as you hang it, folding it in half on itself while you line up as well as you can to the door or the plumb bob. Unfold and smooth out the paper with a damp sponge careful not to crimp or rip the paper.  Gently work out any babbles or areas where glue may have gathered underneath;   
3. With a damp cloth, wipe down paper as you go, you'll see plenty of glue escape the sides and bottom. Wipe gently as paper can tend to stretch a bit.  You want the pattern to match up as precise as you can.  Whether you apply glue or use self pasting paper, glue will gather at edges and need wiping.    
4. Roll the seams firmly after double checking the plumb. Then cut around windows as you hang a piece and you will complete the job when you trim the ceiling and floorboard joins.   Tip: You must use a very sharp knife, paper will rip easily when wet. At the corners of windows and door frames remember to make a cut from edge of paper to point of frame joint to make paper flexible and able to go against frames and trim tightly.  

Wallpaper can be a lot of work and a lot of fun as well, but it's no fun when the job is not really well done and you have wasted expensive coverings.  Make sure you are comfortable and confident before starting.  Or, you can always call a professional paper hanger.