Is it possible to glue wallpaper on polystyrene foam – two completely opposite answer options

The finishing of walls made of polystyrene foam poses a special challenge. It’s common practice to use this insulating, lightweight material for thermal insulation, but what happens if you want to decorate it? Wallpaper is a common choice, but is it really possible to apply wallpaper directly to polystyrene foam?

Opinions differ on this issue. Certain experts contend that, when done properly, wallpapering over polystyrene foam is not only feasible but also efficient. Some caution against it, citing problems with durability and adhesion. Which side is correct, then?

Both of these viewpoints will be discussed in this article. Whether your goal is to maximize the insulation properties of your polystyrene walls or prevent a decorating meltdown, knowing the advantages and disadvantages of each strategy will enable you to make an educated choice.

Technologies

We provide a selection of multiple life-saving technologies that combine aesthetics and insulation.

Premature conclusion

Therefore, give up on the hope of adhering wallpaper to polystyrene foam; it will not help.

However, for those who are especially tenacious, we will still suggest:

• first, observing all the requirements of the technology, insulate the wall with polystyrene foam; do not use dowels yet, place the slabs only on glue;
• then putty all the joints and wait until the putty dries completely;
• then strengthen the adhesion of the material, and at the same time the reliability of its fastening, covering it with a mounting mesh on top over the entire working surface and fixing it with dowels;

Putty will be needed; mounting mesh is not an option.

• then we proceed to puttying the entire surface;
• when the putty dries completely and we sand it, it remains only to say – and what does polystyrene foam have to do with it, yes, we actually glue the wallpaper on the putty, and this is already a familiar and long-tested thing;
• It is best to sand with sandpaper, but if you use a sanding machine for this, you need to use it very carefully, without excessive pressure, so as not to damage the surface;
• for gluing, as usual, use a special glue recommended for the selected type of wallpaper.

The issue of how to glue wallpaper to polystyrene foam gradually gives way to another one: how to glue to a plastered surface. However, this is an entirely different issue, to use Odessa terminology.

Alternative actions

When you truly want it, you can combine the two materials mentioned above in additional ways:

1. Firstly, you can use rolled polystyrene foam, which is supposedly specially designed for wallpaper, but:

• It is only 3 mm thick and is no longer considered as a material for insulation;
• It will only serve to level the wall;
• Thus, we lay the roll on the wall – all the same putty and, preferably, dowels;
• Then a thin layer of special glue is applied to it;
• When the glue has dried, but in no case completely, we apply a second layer of glue;
• We apply glue to the back of the wallpaper;
• We apply the roll to the surface;

In the picture, rolls of foam plastic beneath the wallpaper are being ready for later wallpaper application; a unique glue is used to improve adherence.

• we wait for such a triple layer of glue to dry completely.
• smooth it out with the usual movements from the center to the edges;
• but the question arises of the advisability of using such a technology "with the left hand behind the right ear" – why use polystyrene foam for leveling, when this is done by the long-proven technology of puttying and grinding, and without the need to use special materials in the future.

Very helpful advice! We suggest that you use wallpaper that has been specially designed for this purpose, as indicated by the icon that reads "glue must be applied to the wallpaper" on the back of the material. This is because gluing the wallpaper also produces the best effect.

1. secondly, you can also come across a completely exotic way out of the situation, as a solution to the compatibility problem that has arisen; since the wallpaper does not go directly onto the polystyrene foam, and you want to insulate yourself and look good, the following procedure is suggested:

• we insulate in the usual way;
• then we attach the metal profile on top,
• on which we mount sheets of drywall,
• we process the entire plasterboard surface using further finishing technology;
• putty it completely;
• sand the dried putty;
• and we’re already gluing wallpaper on top;
• in principle, you can stick it directly onto cardboard, and it will stick perfectly, but in the future you won’t be able to change such wallpaper, it will come off along with the surface right down to the plaster.

• So it turned out that, having said “A” – we need polystyrene foam and wallpaper, we were forced to go further into such construction derbies (considering our topic, of course) as metal profiles and drywall; and it’s all to blame for this very incompatibility.

Very helpful advice! The technology used to prepare the plasterboard surface for additional finishing has been left out of this section. However, this is a totally different topic entirely, with the same connection to polystyrene foam as Lope de Vega did to the building of a bridge over the Kerch Strait.

The typical steps for smoothing the wallpaper on the surface that has to be finished complete the instruction.

It is both possible and problematic to glue wallpaper onto polystyrene foam due to certain challenges. On the one hand, it is possible to cover insulation quickly with the correct adhesive and preparation. However, the smooth surface of the foam and the possibility of moisture accumulation can cause poor adhesion and long-term problems. Whether or not it’s a good idea ultimately depends on your particular circumstances and your willingness to go above and beyond to make it work.

Applying wallpaper adhesively to polystyrene foam can present some challenges. On the one hand, with the correct adhesive and preparatory work, it’s entirely possible. For those looking for an easy way to achieve a smooth wall finish, it’s a practical solution that works for many. All you need to do is make sure the surface is dry and clean.

However, this isn’t always the best course of action. Since polystyrene foam doesn’t have the best grip, you may eventually notice bubbling or peeling wallpaper. Furthermore, foam can be a bit tricky when it comes to moisture, which could cause issues in the future.

Ultimately, the question of whether or not to glue wallpaper onto polystyrene foam depends on your particular circumstances and goals. It might be useful to you if you’re looking for a quick and simple fix. If, however, you’re searching for something robust and long-lasting, you might want to look into other possibilities.

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