Is it possible to glue wallpaper on plaster?

Wallpaper is a common option for wall décor because it can add color, texture, and personality to a space. However, it’s crucial to take the surface into consideration before you begin applying wallpaper. One frequently asked question is if wallpaper can be adhered to plaster directly.

Many homes, especially in older buildings, have plaster walls. They offer a solid, smooth surface, but when it comes to wallpapering, they also provide some special difficulties. Comprehending these obstacles is essential to reaching a prosperous conclusion.

This post will discuss whether wallpaper can be glued to plaster, what preparations are necessary, and common mistakes to avoid. You can make sure your wallpaper adheres correctly and lasts for many years by taking the appropriate steps.

When you can"t glue wallpaper on plaster?

The type of composition used to level the surface determines whether or not wallpaper can be adhered to plaster:

• Cement-based material. It is not recommended to apply wallpaper to such a composition without preliminary puttying. This is explained by the fact that the cement product has a granular structure, so after hardening the surface is rough. If you glue wallpaper on such a base without puttying, then small imperfections in the form of roughness and bumpiness will appear on the surface, which will negatively affect the appearance of the finish.
• Gypsum-based material. In this case, it is not recommended to glue wallpaper on plaster due to the lack of moisture resistance of the composition. Gypsum quickly absorbs moisture and has the ability to draw liquid from any composition, including wallpaper glue. As a result, after a certain period of time, the decorative coating will peel off from the surface, which will necessitate repeated restoration of the walls.

It is also not advised to wallpaper plaster with thin, light-colored material. The base color will therefore be visible through the wallpaper. The finish will seem less appealing because it will seem like there are spots on the wallpaper.

The surface of the building base cracking is another reason not to wallpaper plaster. After finishing, this kind of flaw shows up on any kind of surface. As a result, the finish becomes less visually appealing and the wallpaper starts to peel off.

This is why it’s crucial to prepare the surface before applying wallpaper. By doing this, the finish’s lifespan will be extended and its visual appeal will be maintained.

It is possible to adhere wallpaper directly to plaster, but this requires careful surface preparation. There should be no loose material or cracks in the plaster, and it should be clean, dry, and smooth. Prior to wallpapering, a primer should be applied to improve the adhesive’s stick and stop the plaster from absorbing too much moisture. To guarantee a smoother finish and longer-lasting results, it’s worthwhile to think about applying a base layer of lining paper if the plaster is new or has flaws.

Choosing an adhesive

The first step in wallpapering the walls is selecting the adhesive. This material also has a major influence on the finishing quality. The kind of wallpaper that the composition will be applied to determines which product to choose. For a standard paper finish, PVA glue is appropriate. Using a specific material is advised for other wallpapers.

Although it shouldn’t be your primary criterion for selection, price should be taken into consideration when making a purchase. Experts advise against selecting inexpensive glue. Such content is typically of poor quality. Additionally, purchasing an expensive composition is inappropriate. Selecting a material from the middle price range is advised.

They consider the manufacturer when making a purchase. Professionals only choose well-known brands because they respect their reputation and provide the market with high-quality goods.

Painting plaster with wallpaper

There are various steps involved in rebuilding the walls when discussing how to apply wallpaper adhesive on plaster.

Required materials and tools

For finishing, you’ll need the following supplies and equipment:

• wallpaper;
• putty;
• plaster;
• primer;
• wallpaper glue;
• building level;
• container for preparing the solution;
• industrial mixer or other similar tool;
• set of spatulas;
• brushes or rollers;
• industrial float.

Preparing the building base

Starting with the building base preparation, finishing is carried out as follows:

• dismantling the old coating, as in the photo below;
• examine the surface with a hammer for unstable fragments and, if any are found, remove the shaky material, increase the size of the imperfections, prime the cavity and fill it with plaster mortar;
• clean the building base from dust and dirt and treat the places where oil and grease stains are found with a degreasing compound;
• nails, screws and other metal elements are removed or covered with an anti-corrosion solution;
• two layers of primer are applied to the building base, and after each treatment, a break is taken for the composition to harden.

Applying plaster and putty

Guidelines for plaster application:

• Mix the solution. To do this, place the dry mixture in a container and add water. The proportions are indicated on the packaging. After this, prepare the material using an industrial mixer. Mix the solution until it has a uniform consistency of thick sour cream, so that there are no lumps in the composition. Leave the product for 5 minutes to mature and mix again.
• Apply the solution to a wide spatula using a narrow spatula. After this, spread the product over the building base from top to bottom. If application in several layers is required, then take a break for the material to harden after each treatment. It is recommended to prime each layer, since the primer increases the adhesion of the surface and the solution.

Before gluing wallpaper to plaster, putty is applied to the surface:

• with a narrow spatula, the solution is placed on a wide spatula;
• the tool is drawn over the surface from the bottom up – this should result in a thin layer of material;
• take a break for the product to harden;
• the surface is cleaned – to do this, an industrial float is pressed against the building base and the material is processed in circular motions until the imperfections left by the spatula disappear and the walls are leveled;
• priming is performed – the primer is applied in two layers and after each treatment, a break is taken for the composition to harden.

Painting the surface with wallpaper

Following puttying, wallpaper is painted on plaster in the following manner:

• adhesive composition is applied to the walls;
• the wallpaper is spread out on the floor and glue is applied;
• the sheet is folded in half, but the adhesive sides do not adhere to each other;
• the edge of the wallpaper is fixed under the ceiling, after which it is attached to the wall;
• the sheet is smoothed with a roller to avoid air bubbles;
• wait for the material to dry – the main thing is that air does not penetrate into the room during this time, otherwise the material will peel off the wall, which will require repeated restoration.

When can you glue wallpaper on plaster?

Video tutorials attest to the fact that wallpaper can be adhered to plaster if meticulous surface preparation is not feasible or if the reconstruction’s aesthetic appeal is not a top priority. Such circumstances result in the disregard of finishing rules. However, it is advised to adhere to the following plaster-with-wallpaper pasting technique in order for the decorative coating to last for an extended amount of time:

• the surface is cleaned with an industrial float to get rid of roughness and other defects;
• several layers of wallpaper glue are applied to the building base with a break for drying;
• after the last surface treatment, the wallpaper is immediately glued.

Although this type of finish won’t last very long, it will save puttying time.

It is possible to glue wallpaper directly onto plaster, but there are some things to keep in mind. The plaster’s state has a significant impact on how well this method works. Wallpaper can stick well and provide a clean finish if the plaster is even, smooth, and free of dust and cracks.

However, it’s crucial to properly prepare the surface before hanging wallpaper if the plaster is damaged, uneven, or recently applied. To make sure the wallpaper adheres correctly and lasts longer, this can entail using a primer or sealer.

In the end, although applying wallpaper over plaster can be a practical choice, priming the surface beforehand will yield a more resilient and aesthetically pleasing finish. It’s a quick step that can significantly alter how your walls turn out in the end.

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