Bob Vila: Hanging Wallpaper

Wallpaper: Everything You Need To Know

(CBS)  For many, the biggest challenge of wallpapering is getting it on the walls. To make the job easier Early Show's Home Improvement Contributor Bob Vila has a few hints on getting wallpaper hung, without hanging yourself in the process.

Wall covering can be used on walls, ceilings, around windows, doors and baseboards. The wall-covering family includes burlap, cork, embossed paper, fabric, foamed vinyl, foils, grasses, hand or screen prints, and washable prints. It is sold in rolls, and comes pre-pasted, which must be soaked in a tray of water to activate the paste, or glue-ready. Pre-pasted vinyl wall covering is by far the easiest to handle. The others, especially those made of fibrous materials, are more difficult to hang and maintain.

Here are some things to consider:

Selecting Wallpaper

Think Long-term

It's not unusual for homeowners to keep the same wallpaper for 15 or 20 years, so think long-term when picking out a pattern or material. Babies grow up, little girls turn to sports, psychedelics are replaced by pastels, and decorating trends change, so beware the bold patterns and themes.

Wall covering is priced by the single roll, but packaged in double rolls called a double-roll bolt. Residential wall covering is made in 20 to one half, 27-inch and 36-inch widths; the wider the roll, the more area you'll cover with each strip. Remember, however, that patterns repeat. This means that what you see in the wallpaper book will multiply and repeat over and over again.

How much of any pattern you will see depends on the pattern repeat
measurement. In general, any pattern with a repeat of 6 inches or less
will appear quite busy. Larger patterns with a repeat of 12 inches or
more will appear more random and be easier on the eye, Whatever
your pattern choice, keep durability, washability and strippability in
mind. Some papers are easier to maintain than others.

Dye Lot Numbers

As outlined above wall coverings come in many different styles, yet
one thing remains constant. Every roll of wallpaper is identified by a
dye lot number, which may also be referred to as the run, batch or
shade number.

This number is important because it ensures that all of your paper will
carry the same shade and ink qualities. Though the printing process
and the pattern may be the same, ink doesn't always take to the paper
the same way. Differences in shade and pattern can be dramatic, so
don't mix and match dye lot numbers. If the store doesn't have enough
rolls from the same batch, ask them to order it specially. If you do
have to reorder, ask for the same dye lot number.

Wall Imperfections

Hanging wallpaper can expose or mask the imperfections in your
home. It can hide a corner that isn't really square or a window frame
that runs slightly uphill. In general, stripes make a room seem taller
and draw the eye up vertically. With stripes, however, crooked walls
or windows become very visible. Florals and random repeats hide
imperfect lines, which is why flowers abound in classic Victorians.
Colors also affect the feel of a room. Light color seems to open up a
room, making it larger. Dark colors do just the opposite.

How To Measure A Room

When wallpapering, you don't want to get caught short. First,
measure the height and width of each wall; then multiply them to get
your square footage. Subtract 10 square feet for every door or
full-sized window. Add together the square footages of each wall for
a total wall area.

You must know the pattern repeat for this method, so let a sales
professional calculate how much paper you'll need. He or she may
suggest you use the strip method, which determines your wallpaper
needs based on the perimeter measurement of the room, the height of
the ceilings, the pattern repeat, and the matching required.

Height x Width for each wall
Subtract 10 square feet for every door or full-sized window
Add remaining square footage for each wall for total wall area

Where To Begin

Pick a corner, and, using a tape measure, make a mark on the wall
about 1/2-inch less than the width of the wallpaper you are using
away from the corner. Using a level or a plumb, mark a line on the
wall. Align the edge the paper with this line, and fold the paper around
the corner. This will ensure that the first piece of paper is hung
perfectly straight on the wall, and each adjoining piece of paper will
be straight as well.

How To Cut Wallpaper

Wallpaper can be cut with scissors for general lengths. To fit
wallpaper to length at ceilings and floors, use a straight edge and a
utility knife with a sharp blade.

Application/How To Match Patterns

Remember that the excess paper trimmed to match patterns and fit
corners counts as waste. When hanging paper with a pattern repeat,
you'll need the pattern to line up, again creating waste.

Vertical patterns repeat anywhere from 1 to 25 inches. The greater
the distance between repeats, the more paper you will need for
matching, the more rolls you will need to buy, and the more waste you
will create. For all of these reasons, professionals recommend buying
an extra roll or two, in the same dye lot.

To hang a sheet of wallpaper, measure the height of the wall and
allow at least a 2-inch overlap at the ceiling and the floor. Using a
plumb make sure the sheet is vertical. Smooth the strip using a brush
or sponge, working from the center to the edges to remove wrinkles
and air bubbles.

Next, move the adjacent strip into position, making sure the pattern or
repeat matches the adjoining piece of paper. The edges should butt
against each other, not overlap. Slide the paper into position; do not
pull it. Wipe off any excess paste with a sponge. Use a seam roller to
flatten the joints between strips.

Here are the tools and materials you will need:

Tape Measure
Plumb- To determine plumb lines and for use as straight-edge
in cutting paper to width
Scissors
Paint Roller and Tray - For applying paste to unpasted
wallcoverings
Seam Roller - Small roller designed to roll out wallpaper seams
Smoothing Brush - For smoothing out paper during installation
Broad knife - For creasing paper at top and bottom of walls
(4-6 inches wide)
Sponge
Bucket and Water
Paperhanging Table - Long table specifically designed for
wallpapering (a convenience item only - not a necessity, but
which may be available for rental whenever you get your
wallpaper)

Where to find:

Hand-printed wallpapers: Bradbury & Bradbury.

Reproduction prints: William Morris .

Anaglypta wall covering: Eisenhart Wallcoverings.

Golden Harvest adhesives and specialty tools: Roman Adhesives .

Additional wallpaper and tools courtesy of Janovic Paints.

For more from Bob Vila, go to his Web site.