Like any venture or project, prepping a wall for a major or minor overhaul needs time and careful preparation. If the project you have in mind is plastering your walls with home wallpaper and wallpaper borders, you have a lot of things to consider such as the type of surface your walls have, and the theme or look you want to accomplish. Wall murals should also work well with the various wall surfaces through your home.
Before deciding what pattern of wallpaper you want to order, ask your local wallpaper store for at least 2 swatches and decide which pattern fits your home or room best. When placing an order, make sure you order an extra roll or two for future use, such as repairs and minor installations. The number of rolls you need will depend on the square footage of your room, so measure each room beforehand.
Once your order arrives, inspect it immediately. Take note of the lot number and the quantity of your order. Check the color pattern and match them with the sample that you have. You must also inspect if the coloring on every roll is even (some might have faded) and if there is any damage to any of the rolls' edges. It is imperative that you check for defects before actually using the home wallpaper and wallpaper borders.
You can only achieve the best effects with wallpaper borders and wall murals if they are installed properly. To do that, the walls must be fully prepared. Removing old wallpaper, smoothing the walls' surface and priming it with the right paint, and filling any cracks and holes are necessary steps in making the new wallpaper bond perfectly to the wall.
For walls that are covered in non-gloss paint, it is necessary to have the paint scraped or sanded off. After the paint is removed, wash the wall with an all-purpose cleaner. After the wall has discharged, apply an acrylic primer. You can then proceed to installing your home wallpaper and wall murals.
For walls that are painted with semi-or high-gloss paint, they should be covered with acrylic primer.
For mildew-plagued walls, a wash down with a mixture of bleach and water is recommended to clean the surface. After the walls are cleaned, rinse thoroughly, dry well, and then apply the primer.
Wood-paneled walls covered in gloss must be washed thoroughly with a mixture of de-glossing solution and water. It must then be sanded smooth. Vertical grooves must be filled with spackle. You can then apply the primer and hang the wall mural or wallpaper border of your choice.
There are a few tools necessary for a smooth installation process:
o Steel tape measure – for measurement purposes;
o Water tray – if using pre-pasted wallpaper, dip the strips in the trough to prime the adhesive;
o Seam roller – tool used to flatten the wallpaper's surface;
o Razor knife with lots spare blades – used to cut strips of wallpaper;
o Pencil – used to mark specific points on the wallpaper;
o Bucket and sponge – washing and wiping purposes;
o Ladders – helps you reach those high places.
Be sure you have these tools ready as they will definitely come in handy as you do your wallpaper project. Preparing a wall may take half a day, but the end result is certainly worth it. Home wallpaper that is perfectly installed is sure to enhance and liven up any room.