Calculating Wallpaper Requirements

Wallpapers are packaged in double rolls (total of 60 sq. ft.). Find the square footage of the area to be covered. Measure length times height and divide by 60 to find the number of double rolls needed. This method allows for pattern repeat as well as waste.

Example: For a room measuring 12 feet by 14 feet: Add the length around the room (52 ft) and multiply by the height (for example 8 ft) of the walls (52 x 8 = 416 sq ft). Divide by 60 ( 416 / 60 = 6.9 double rolls) Round up to the next double roll (7 double rolls needed).

Prepasted Wallpaper Hanging Instructions

We recommend that the hanging surface be sound, clean and smooth. Remove any old wallcovering, fill holes and cracks. Sand irregular surfaces. Prime and size with a good quality wall prep. Follow pasting instructions included in each bolt. Paste, book, and roll each sheet approximately 3-5 minutes before hanging.

We recommend the use of wallpaper paste or adhesive when installing wallpaper. If hanging over paint, prime the area the wallpaper is to be hung with an acrylic-based primer/sealer specially formulated for wall-coverings. If hanging over wall-covering, use a good vinyl-to-vinyl adhesive. Wash surface thoroughly with lukewarm water and a soft sponge to remove any paste residue.

Wallpaper Maintenance

Wallcoverings and borders are washable with mild soap detergent and a soft sponge. Do not use abrasive cleaners, solvents, lacquer thinner or nail polish remover.

Frequently Asked Product Questions (FAQs)

Where do you start papering in a room? At the corner, or in the middle of a wall?
Start papering at the least visible corner; the pattern will most likely not match when you get back to the starting point. A good place to start is usually in the corner closest to the entryway.

How much does wallpaper expand when it gets wet? Will it shrink and pull away at the seams when it dries?
Depending on type, wallpaper can expand its width up to 1/4 inch. In order to avoid expansion on the wall, which can cause bubbling and wrinkles, it is necessary to "book" the paper before hanging. "Booking" is the process whereby an un-pasted paper that has been pasted, or a pre-pasted paper that has been dipped in water, is folded onto itself, paste-to-paste, and allowed to relax for several minutes before applying to the wall. This allows the paper to fully expand, relaxing its curl, and in the case of a pre-pasted paper, it allows the prepaste to fully activate. A notable exception to this process are the revolutionary new SureStrip and Easy2 wallpapers we offer in some patterns, which do not expand when wet, and are engineered for easier installation and removal.

What does the match and pattern repeat affect? Do I need to measure differently?
The pattern match and repeat affect the hanging method, the waste amount and the total amount of paper needed for a job. Generally speaking, the larger the repeat, the greater the chance for waste, but a drop match of the same repeat would have less waste than a straight match. Please see the section on calculating wallpaper requirements above.

How do I avoid seeing white seams when hanging paper?
When a paper with a dark backgound is hung on a lighter wall, exposed seams can be either a result of seeing the wall behind the paper, or seeing the white edge of the paper. Please take care to line up wallpaper rolls correctly to avoid unseemly seams.

What is the difference between primer and sizing? Why do I need to use it?
Primer is a protectant/sealer for your wall which prevents the paste from absorbing into porous surfaces, and allows the paste to grip on slick surfaces. Sizing provides additional grip for better adherence and more slip for ease of sliding each strip into position on the wall. Many products on the market today are a combination sealer/sizer; these one-step ‘universal’ wallcovering primers are easier to use and are formulated to work on a variety of surfaces under varying conditions. Sealing the surface is an important procedure to allow for future removal.

Why are some papers prepasted and others unpasted? Which is better?
There is really no significant quality difference between our pre-pasted wallpapers and un-pasted papers. All wallcoverings we offer are of very good material. The main difference comes down to installation preference. All of our wallpapers are pre-pasted for the convenience of the do-it-yourself homeowner. Designer papers are often un-pasted because they are more typically installed by professional paper hangers who have a preference for pasting the papers. One other class of unpasted papers is the new super strippable Easy2 wallcoverings we sell in certain patterns. These revolutionary new papers can be installed by pasting the wall or the paper and will remove from the wall in one single piece when time to redecorate.

What do you recommend for washing wallpaper? Which papers are better for washing often?
The manufacturers recommend washing all solid vinyl and vinyl protected papers with either diluted dish detergent water or a general purpose spray cleaner diluted half and half with water. Always use a soft cloth or sponge, Never use anthing abrasive. The best papers for scrubability are commercial vinyl and residential solid vinyl, however, these are seldom a necessity in a residential setting.