The way your walls look and how well the wallpaper adheres can both be greatly impacted by the surface you choose for your wallpaper. Knowing what surfaces work best can save you time and trouble when redecorating or simply giving your walls a new look.
We’ll look at a variety of surfaces in this post, such as paint, penoplex, OSB, fiberglass, foam, rotband, cold surfaces, and whitewash. Making the best decision for your project will be aided by your understanding of the unique qualities and difficulties associated with each of these materials.
We’ll walk you through every step of the process to ensure a fantastic finish, from the smoothness of painted walls to the texture of OSB. By the time you’re done, you’ll know more about how to prep your walls and which surfaces are ideal for applying wallpaper.
Overview of various surfaces
What can you do, to begin with repairs? What types of walls are there?
Paint
Paint layer serving as wallpaper foundation
Can wallpaper be glued onto painted walls?
Let’s examine the characteristics of the paint coating to help respond to this question more fully:
- It is smooth, since this is one of the requirements for applying the suspension. That is, all work on leveling the surface has already been done.
- And also excessively smooth. The layer formed from the paint has a very low level of adhesion with wallpaper glue, the solution simply has nothing to cling to on it.
Therefore, all you have to do is "spoil" the coating’s smoothness in order for the adhesive liquid to effectively serve its intended purpose. You must first ascertain the kind of suspension that is used on the wall in order to accomplish this.
Using your hands, this is simple to accomplish:
- Take a sharp metal spatula and try to remove the colored coating on a small area.
Oil paint is indicated by slight peeling.
- If the coating leaves relatively easily and layers, then this means that oil paint was used to create it. If it is bad and only in small parts, then this indicates the use of acrylic emulsion.
There are differences in the instructions for handling each option:
- A more durable acrylic coating should be treated with a mixture of solvent and primer. It will be absorbed into the surface, creating small holes on it, which the glue will then be able to cling to.
- The oil layer must be carefully processed with sandpaper, which will sufficiently disrupt its smoothness.
Following the steps outlined, priming takes place, and you can then glue the wallpaper.
Penoplex
Your home’s comfort is greatly increased by insulation using Penoplex.
Can wallpaper be adhered to Penoplex? Adding more thermal insulation to walls because of this material makes a house much more comfortable and helps save energy during the heating season. Although its surface is smooth and has a good amount of adhesion, it is not stiff and is hydrophobic.
The actions listed below are done in order to resolve these two issues:
- The first thing to do is to protect the insulation from moisture by attaching a waterproofing sheet. But is it possible to glue wallpaper on oilcloth? In order to make this possible, we coat the entire surface with an adhesive solution and cover it with newspapers. After the glue has hardened, you can proceed to further finishing.
Newspapers produce a superior layer that is ideal for wallpaper application.
Advice: You should only make this kind of preparation in areas that are physically inaccessible because, in those circumstances, the wall is still pliable and susceptible to damage from impact or rough handling.
- Ideally, if you want to have a reliable and durable interior, then you should strengthen the wall with sheets of plasterboard. The price of repair work will, of course, be more expensive and the area of the room will slightly decrease, but you will get a guarantee of high-quality cladding.
Oriented particle board
OSB plates used in the home’s interior design
Can wallpaper be glued onto OSB boards? Since pure wood does not react well with paper or non-woven materials, it is wise to add a layer of newspapers, as was done in the example above. Furthermore, it is imperative that all joints be puttied to prevent future cracking of the freshly applied finishing layer.
Advice: Before puttying, it is advised to treat the gaps with serpyanka. This will stop them from potentially growing in the future.
A space between two serpyanka-covered sheets of gypsum board
Fiberglass
The majority of the qualities of glass wallpaper are present in fiberglass painting.
Is wallpaper glued onto fiberglass possible? Due to its exceptional strength, this material is typically utilized for wall reinforcement. It is more accurate to incorporate it into a plaster layer, but you can limit yourself to thorough priming before applying the paintings if you have no desire to experiment with wet cement mixtures.
Foam plastic
Polystyrene foam insulation of interior walls: a simple and efficient method
Can wallpaper be adhered to polystyrene foam using adhesive? This material is used to insulate the room from heat, much like the penoplex that was previously mentioned.
However, in contrast to it, it is more rigid, which means you can either skip this extra, and by no means cheap, step, or proceed the entire way with gypsum plasterboard.
The dependable installation of polystyrene foam is more crucial when using it. If not, the wallpaper might come off before the polystyrene foam boards themselves.
- Remove all previous cladding.
- Level the wall with putty.
- Treat the surface with antiseptics and primer.
- Carefully select the adhesive taking into account the characteristics of the room.
In this instance, the longevity of the finish depends on the insulation being fixed firmly.
Rotband
Enclosure for gypsum plaster
Is it feasible to use Rotband for wallpapering? Although it is feasible, it is still advised to prime it or apply a thin layer of putty first because the plaster is a little too rough for paper canvases.
After properly grouting the surface of Rotband, wallpaper can also be glued to it. To avoid going overboard, though, a master’s hand is required here.
Whitewashing
Smooth and white wall surface
Can wallpaper be glued to walls that have been painted white? We will respond more optimistically even in the face of certain stereotypes that assert that it is not possible.
However, some planning is necessary:
- Check the coating for strength. Places that begin to peel off, eliminate with a spatula or sandpaper.
- Apply a deep penetration primer solution.
- Some areas will also begin to peel off after soaking, remove them too.
- Prime again. Polymers will reliably bind the remaining elements of the whitewash layer, making it suitable for gluing wallpaper.
It is acceptable to apply paper or sheets of non-woven fabric to the whitewash.
Cold surface
Is it feasible to adhere wallpaper to walls that are cold? It’s also a pretty urgent question, to which the majority of people will begin to raise their hands in opposition.
However, having no drafts in the room is actually a must, and adjusting the temperature is also not advised. That is to say, you can safely glue even the northern part of the house as long as the doors and windows are securely closed and the room’s temperature remains constant.
Knowing which surfaces will work best for wallpapering is crucial for a smooth finish and long-lasting effects. This post will discuss a variety of surfaces, including paint, penoplex, OSB, fiberglass, foam, rotband, whitewash, and cold surfaces. It will also offer helpful advice on what surfaces work best for wallpaper glue and how to prepare them.
| Surface | Can Wallpaper Be Glued? |
| Paint | Yes, as long as it"s well-prepared and smooth. |
| Penoplex | Yes, but the surface should be even and clean. |
| OSB | Yes, but it may need to be sealed first to ensure proper adhesion. |
| Fiberglass | Yes, it"s suitable for wallpapering with proper surface preparation. |
| Foam | Yes, but the surface should be stable and primed. |
| Rotband | Yes, but it should be dry and cured properly. |
| Whitewash | Yes, but ensure it is dry and has good adhesion to the wall. |
| Cold Surface | Not ideal; surfaces should be warmed and dry for best results. |
The surface on which wallpaper is adhered and its longevity can be significantly affected by the choice of adhesive. For instance, paint typically offers a good base, but before applying wallpaper, make sure the paint is completely dry and in good condition. Penoplex and foam are also good options, but to guarantee that the wallpaper adheres correctly, they frequently need a specific primer.
Because OSB and fiberglass surfaces are fairly stable, they are dependable wallpaper options. Just make sure to take care of any kinks or flaws beforehand. Conversely, surfaces such as Rotband and whitewash may require additional preparation. To get the best results, it may be necessary to use a good primer or undercoat because these materials can absorb moisture or create uneven surfaces.
Any way, being ready is essential. Before you apply wallpaper, make sure the surface of your choice is smooth, clean, and dry. Almost any surface can have a stunning, long-lasting finish achieved with the appropriate technique.
