It’s common to discover wallpaper remnants when moving into an older house. It takes time and effort to remove wallpaper. You might have thought, “Can I save time and effort by just papering over my existing wallpaper?”. The answer is yes, but a lot of different things play a role. Discover more about wallpaper by reading this article.
Factors To Consider
Non-coated Vs. Vinyl Coated Wallpaper
There are two varieties of wallpaper: non-coated and vinyl-coated. Non-coated paper can typically be wallpapered over. Vinyl-coated paper, however, cannot be covered in wallpaper.
Because vinyl is nonporous, new wallpaper won’t adhere to it, and if you add another layer on top of it, mold will grow.
Before hanging new wallpaper, it must be removed. As wallpapering over an embossed or embellished wallpaper will result in bumps, we also advise against doing so.
Use a sponge that has been dampened with warm water and rubbed on a small corner of your wallpaper to check if it is coated. It is not coated if the entire area becomes darker as a result of the moisture.
The Condition Of The Wallpaper
One of the most crucial factors to take into account here is the state of the wallpaper you may be considering covering with paper. Lump and bump will appear under your new paper right away if there is any texture or if it is applied incorrectly.
For you to even have a chance of success, your base wallpaper layer must be flawlessly smooth and clean.
One of the most crucial factors to take into account in this situation is the condition of the wallpaper you may be considering covering with paper. Any surface that is poorly applied or textured will cause lumps and bumps to appear under your new paper right away.
Taking a closer look at the current paper’s edges is also important because if they are raised, the new paper will probably show those edges.
When trying to hang new paper, wallpaper that is peeling off or cracked will also pose issues, so if your wallpaper is in this state, we advise removing it entirely before you start. Inspecting the physical state of your old wallpaper is also important to make sure there are no damp areas that might cause mold or other damage to the freshly applied wallpaper.
This is also true if you intend to wallpaper over old lining paper; you must first make sure that it is in the best condition possible before attempting to hang anything new.
The bottom line is that in order to succeed, your base wallpaper layer must be flawlessly smooth and clean.
Think Carefully About The Colours Of Both Wallpapers
Another crucial factor to take into account is the color of your new wallpaper as well as your existing wallpaper. A small amount of color may seep through and cause issues if your new wallpaper is light or patterned or if your existing wallpaper is very dark or patterned.
Another crucial factor to take into account is the color of your new wallpaper as well as your existing wallpaper. Some colors may bleed through and cause issues if your new wallpaper is light or if your old wallpaper is very dark or patterned.
Make sure your new wallpaper is darker than the base layer if you are covering up already-installed wallpaper. For instance, apply a dark pattern wallpaper over cream or white paper if you are covering up already-installed wallpaper.
To determine whether the old wallpaper still shows through, order a sample of the new wallpaper in the style you’ve chosen and hold it up to the wall.
The Number Of Wallpaper Layers
It’s not advised to wallpaper over more than one layer. As a result, you can wallpaper over it if you are aware that the wall only has one layer of wallpaper and it complies with the criteria outlined above. But if your wall has multiple layers of wallpaper, take them off. If you are unsure, you might need to cut into the wallpaper to check if there is another layer underneath.
Assess The Quality Of Your New Wallpaper
You may be able to take advantage of the new wallpaper’s texture or thickness. If you’re covering up existing wallpaper, textured wallpaper styles are a better option because you can easily conceal the patterns of the paper underneath because they work to cover up flaws.
How To Layer Wallpaper Over Wallpaper
- Nails on the walls should be taken out. Use a weak mixture of warm water and dish soap to scrub the walls. Dry completely, if possible.
- Use a utility knife to remove bubbled or peeling wallpaper fragments. Nail hole filler, applied with a putty knife, can be used to cover up any flaws or dents in the wall. When everything is completely dry, lightly sand the repaired areas.
- Draw a vertical, straight line down the middle of the wall using a level. The seams of any current wallpaper should not be followed when drawing the line.
- The first wallpaper strip should have at least 4 inches extra on the top and bottom after measurement and cutting. To cut the strips precisely and uniformly, use a utility knife and a straight edge. On the table, place the paper face down. The paper’s backside should have an even coat of adhesive applied to it. The paper should be rolled loosely with the adhesive side out.
- Utilizing the ladder, slowly unroll the wallpaper and use the sponge to press it into place. Start at the top of the wall, and use a guide to position your paper so that the outside edge corresponds with your pencil marks. After all the paper is applied, leave a 2-inch overhang at the top of the wall to be trimmed.
- Utilize the smoother to remove any air bubbles from the paper. Work outward and upward from the center. Till the paper is smooth and firmly adhered to the wall, apply light, even strokes.
- Repeat the procedure with additional wallpaper strips. Line up the second strip of paper using the first one, pressing the edges closely but not overlying one another. To set butted seams in place, use a seam roller.
- With the utility knife, trim any extra paper from the top and bottom of the wall. After trimming, roll the seam roller over the top and bottom edges to ensure strong adhesion.
