Everything You Need to Know About Hanging Lining Paper and Wallpaper

Property maintenance specialists Aspect.co.uk supplies experienced decorators in and around London. Their team has published a handy guide to painting and decorating like a pro, which explains how to hang lining paper and wallpaper.

Cutting Your Lining Paper or Wallpaper

Once you have marked your starting point, you’ll need to cut your lining paper or wallpaper to the correct length. Here’s how to get this right.

1. Use a tape measure to measure the wall width from one edge to the other. Record this measurement in millimeters then add 100mm to this. This allows sufficient paper available to cover corners or adjacent walls. Any overlap can be trimmed later on.
2. Roll the paper out on a pasting table and measure the length required. At the measurement, make a crease which can then be trimmed with scissors or a trimming wheel. Cut all the lengths necessary to cover one wall in one go.

Applying Adhesive to Lining Paper or Wallpaper

Choose either ready-mixed adhesive or adhesive that can be mixed by adding water to it. If you choose a ‘mix yourself’ version, make sure not to add too much water. Also, be sure to follow the instructions provided carefully. Above all, make sure you’re wearing old clothing while hanging wallpaper or lining paper. It can be quite a messy job!

1. Place the first cut length over your pasting table and apply adhesive down the middle. Using your pasting brush, spread this out towards the edge, working in two separate halves of the paper. Avoid getting paste on the paper or table by always making sure the paper faces downwards.
2. Fold the paper onto itself while pasting the remaining lengths. Most find overlaps of 40cm manageable to work with.
3. Leave the adhesive to soak well into the paper. While this happens, the paper will expand. The risk of bubbles forming once the paper is on the wall is minimized.
4. Paste the other lengths of paper, making sure you clean the table over with a damp sponge on completing each length. This prevents the adhesive from getting onto the front of the lining paper.

Hanging Lining Paper

1. Begin at the top of the wall, ensuring there is an overlap of 50mm from the adjacent wall. The excess paper will appear along the ceiling edges, but this can be trimmed off. Open the folds and smooth the paper onto the wall from the center towards the edges.
2. Use a seam roller to smooth down edges and add extra adhesive if needed.
3. Create a crease by pushing the paper into the internal wall joins. Then angle the paper into corners carefully to avoid tears or bubbling.
4. Peel the paperback, then use scissors to cut along the crease and form a ridge that appears when it is hung at the top. Two sections of the paper will join in the corners. Then the excess can be trimmed off. This can also be done at the ceiling or wall junctions.

While hanging paper, submerge scissors in warm water to clean off the paste. This reduces the risk of the scissors clogging up and damaging the paper.

Finishing the Job

1. Take the length of the paper, making sure it is lined up with the previous piece on the wall. Make a 1mm gap between the joins to allow expansion. Then, crease and cut the ends at the top and bottom. Repeat this process for the entire wall.
2. Use the back of your scissors to make a crease between the skirting board and the wall. Carefully pull the paper from the wall, then trim it using either a wallpaper cutting guide or scissors.
3. Before considering wallpapering or painting over the lining paper, allow to dry thoroughly for 24-hours. Not doing this can result in the paper either falling off the wall or even blistering.

Gaps can occur between strips of lining paper. However, this can be fixed quickly using Flexi-filler and a filling knife. Once dry, sand over using 80 grit sandpaper. If the lining paper has expanded, cut away the excess using a metal rule and sharp utility knife.