Wallpaper

Wallpaper for the home, by the roll. Each design lists its roll size, how it is hung, its pattern match and how it comes off. The paste is in Adhesives and pastes, and Wallpaper installers lists installers by state. For one picture across a whole wall, see Wall murals.

Ordering and hanging wallpaper

How many rolls do I need?

Count the lengths first: the total width of the walls divided by the roll's width, rounded up. Then the lengths in one roll: the roll's length divided by the wall's height, with a little for trimming, rounded down. A roll 10.05 m long on a 2.7 m wall gives three lengths, 1.56 m of wall across. A drop match uses more of each roll, so allow for it. Order every roll a room needs at once, from the same batch: different batches can have minor colour variations.

What does paste the wall mean?

The paste is rolled onto the wall, not onto the back of the paper, and the dry paper is hung straight onto it. Non-woven wallpaper is made to be hung this way. Each wallpaper here lists how it is installed.

Which paste does a wallpaper need?

Non-woven wallpaper takes a non-woven paste, which stays open on the wall long enough to place the paper. Vinyl and relief wallpapers take a paste made for them. Both are in Adhesives and pastes.

Does the wall need priming first?

Yes. Wallpaper sticks to the paint, not to the wall. A wallpaper primer keeps the paste from softening the paint, so the paper comes off later without damaging the wall. Most manufacturers ask for a primed wall in their hanging instructions.

What is a pattern match?

How the pattern lines up from one length to the next. A random match lines up wherever it falls. A straight match lines up across, at the same height. A drop match lines up a step lower on each length, and takes more paper. Each wallpaper here lists its match.

Can it be hung without an installer?

Yes, with a non-woven wallpaper hung by pasting the wall. Long lengths, such as a two-storey stairwell, are an installer's work. Wallpaper installers lists them by state.

How does it come off?

Non-woven wallpaper hung on a primed wall pulls off dry, in whole lengths. With paper-backed vinyl, the vinyl peels away and the backing is soaked and scraped. Each wallpaper here lists how it is removed.