Selecting the ideal pattern is not the only step in preparing your walls for wallpaper. The right preparation is essential when working with foam surfaces to guarantee that the wallpaper sticks and adheres correctly. A small amount of work up front can save you a great deal of headaches later on.
Since foam is a porous and lightweight material, there are steps that must be taken to make the surface smooth and adhesive-friendly. The secret to a perfect finish, whether you’re working with foam panels or insulation boards, is preparation.
This post will walk you through the crucial procedures for priming foam surfaces for wallpaper application, streamlining and simplifying the process. With the appropriate methods, you’ll be able to change your walls in no time.
| Step | Description |
| 1. Clean the Surface | Ensure the foam surface is clean and free of dust or debris before applying glue. |
| 2. Check for Damage | Inspect the foam for any cracks or holes and repair them if necessary. |
| 3. Apply Primer | Use a primer suitable for foam to improve adhesion and ensure a smooth surface. |
| 4. Allow to Dry | Let the primer dry completely before proceeding with wallpaper application. |
| 5. Measure and Cut | Measure the wallpaper accurately and cut it to fit the foam surface. |
| 6. Apply Glue | Use a suitable wallpaper adhesive and apply it evenly on the foam surface. |
| 7. Attach Wallpaper | Carefully place the wallpaper onto the glued foam and smooth out any air bubbles. |
Features of finishing walls from foam
The most common material for insulating rooms is expanded polystyrene, also known as regular foam.
This material can be used for insulation frequently due to its low cost and good thermal insulation qualities.
Expanded polystyrene is not the ideal material to use when pasting wallpaper, even though it makes sense to use it.
The reason for this is that:
- Expanded polystyrene does not have sufficient rigidity, which can lead to wallpaper ruptures even with a slight external impact.
- Foam is a slab material, so for proper insulation of the walls from the inside, you will need at least a five-centimeter layer of insulation, and the existing joints of the foam sheets, after pasting with wallpaper, may stand out too much under them.
- If you need to make cosmetic repairs to a room, with the replacement of wallpaper, you will need to change the insulation along with it – it will not be possible to tear the wallpaper off the surface of the foam without damaging the latter.
- According to SNiP, the foam should be insulated with a layer of non-combustible material.
How to prepare foam for gluing wallpaper
Tape should be applied to the wall properly and professionally before applying wallpaper with your hands.
- The working wall is cleaned of old wallpaper, glue, paint and all unnecessary layers down to the very base: concrete or brick, which depends on the material used in the construction of the building.
- The base is dried from residual moisture with an industrial hair dryer, dust is removed from it, inspected for fungus and mold. If any, the defects are cleaned off with a grinder.
- Protrusions more than three millimeters are removed or sealed with plaster mass, until you get a smooth and clean surface.
Advice: If you wish to use foam plastic to insulate the interior walls of your home before adhering wallpaper to them, you should either cover the surfaces with plasterboard or, as seen in the picture, cover the insulation with a composition of reinforcing plaster that is applied using fiberglass plaster mesh.
- The walls are covered with primer (cm. Wallpaper primer: which one to choose and how to use), which has moisture-repellent and antibacterial properties. Absorption and drying of the primer should take at least 24 hours.
- The area for the purchase of polystyrene foam and wallpaper is being calculated, the thickness of the thermal insulation material is selected and wallpaper is selected.
- The brand of adhesive for installing foam plastic on the wall is determined, which must retain its properties, regardless of temperature changes and high humidity. This is due to the porous structure of the material.
How to prepare wallpaper strips and glue
Any wallpaper will adhere quite firmly to a foam wall when it is glued to it.
Advice: Don’t forget to account for window and door openings when figuring out how much wallpaper is needed. There won’t be any extra wallpaper. Allowances and extra material are required anyway, just in case.
- The required number of strips is cut from the roll. The length of each should be 10 centimeters longer than the height of the wall, even if it is absolutely flat. After cutting the rolls, you need to mark the sequence of their pasting on the strips, and mark the direction with an arrow next to it. This is especially important when using wallpaper with patterns.
- Wallpaper glue is diluted. The best option is indicator glue: it is easier to apply – it is possible to see whether the areas have been smeared or not.
Advice: Cover the floor with large cellophane once the glue has infused, but before you begin applying it.
- For better gluing, coat two strips with glue at once, which are then folded so that the front side remains clean – with the back surfaces facing each other.
- While the canvases are impregnated, which is of particular importance for heavy with hot embossing of the non -woven wallpaper and the type of duplex, the surface of the wall is primed in one layer (see. Primer under the wallpaper: which one to choose and how to use), this will improve the reaction of the gravity of the surfaces.
Advice: All wallpapers, with the exception of thin paper, should be glued to the same surface on any wall. Otherwise, hanging edges might become an issue.
In order to ensure a strong bond when gluing wallpaper to foam, the surface must be smooth, clean, and dry. First, clear away any dust or debris and look for any imperfections that may require filling. A clean, long-lasting finish and improved wallpaper adhesion are guaranteed with proper foam surface preparation.
For successful and long-lasting wallpaper gluing, foam surfaces must be properly prepared. To ensure a neat finish and better wallpaper adhesion, make sure the foam is clean, dry, and smooth. Sand down any flaws in the foam and plug any holes or gaps that are present.
Choosing the appropriate adhesive is also crucial. To guarantee a solid bond, use wallpaper paste or adhesive designed for foam surfaces. For optimal results, adhere to the manufacturer’s application instructions.
These preparation steps will help you steer clear of common problems like bubbling or peeling. Well-prepared foam surfaces will give your wallpaper a strong foundation, improving the look and longevity of your wall art.
