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Hanging wallcovering, whether Wallpaper or Borders, is
really easy using the right techniques. At US
Wallcovering we have had over 100 years experience
teaching Clevelanders the simple but effective ways to
hang wallcovering. We have led classes for thousands of
students interested in the fine points of a quality
wallcovering installation. Following are just a few of
the tips we have passed on to students just like
yourself. And, if you are interested in more in depth
instruction, stop into our store on Lorain Avenue in
North Olmsted on Cleveland’s Westside, or sign up for
one of our upcoming (starting in the Fall) class
sessions to be held at our North Olmsted store.
1.
Booking.
Booking refers to the
folding of paper (paste side to paste side) after you
have applied the paste or activated pre-pasted products
by submerging them in water. The actual time to be spent
booking wallcovering (paper or borders) is longer than
indicated on the instructions typically included in
product packaging.
2.
Activators.
Use of activators is important to the success of the
job.
3.
Water Box.
Although use of a water box helps contain water and
limit excess dripping on floor surfaces it also is more
apt to dry the paper out resulting in curling edges or
shrinking seams.
4.
Where to Start.
Always work towards the main entrance.
5.
Advanced Techniques for doing Corners.
Corners are easy if
you follow our instructions. Never seam paper at a
corner; instead run paper around the corner and then
paper over in coming from the other direction.
6.
Seams.
The proper way to smooth paper so that seams match and
don’t shrink in the future is to work from the middle of
the strip towards the preceding seam.
7.
Wall Dimensions.
No walls are perfect so there is always a difference in
dimensions. Make certain you measure each wall
carefully to ensure no surprises.
8.
Start with an Easy Piece.
Always start with an easy piece—one that requires a
minimum of cutting or adapting. If the job is not
colmpleted in 1 day don’t stop just before a difficult
piece—instead stop before an easy piece so you start
with an easy piece when you return to the project.
9.
Never Start in a Corner.
Never start applying paper in a corner because then you
would see a gap. Go around the corner by 1 inch. For
example, if it is 10 inches to the corner cut an 11 inch
piece.
10. Trimming around
Windows, Baseboards, Doors, etc.
Make certain you use a sharp blade. We recolmmend a
snap off cutter and it is best to use a 6” putty knife
as a guide for all trimming. Using a window guide you
run the risk of bridging a gap at some point and not
getting a true cut possibly resulting in a paper tear.
11. Smoothing Paper.
Although brushes and plastic smoothers are the most
common tools used for smoothing paper to the wall
surface, we recommend use of a plastic smoother for most
jobs. If you use a brush and it is not clean you could
damage the paper.
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