Baby &  Nursery

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Wall Decor Specials

Kitchen & Bathroom

Trolleys

• Calculating How Much Wallpaper to Order

• Important Check

• Hanging Prepasted Borders

• Hanging Unpasted Borders

• Hanging Wallpaper

• Paste-the-Wall Instructions

• Alkor Self Adhesive Application

• Decorating Tips

Calculating How Much Wallpaper to Order

To estimate the correct amount of wall covering to order, you may use one of the following methods:

Method 1

(A) Measure the distance in metres around the room

(B) Measure the height in metres from floor to ceiling

(C) Multiply the width by height of each opening (doors & windows)

Multiple distance (A) by height (B) and then subtract (C) from the total. To determine the number of individual rolls required divide this last total by 5.

Method 2

These methods estimate the wallpaper required based on averages.  If you have many doors and windows, cupboards, etc., that will not require wallpaper, Method 1 takes consideration for these. Designs with long distances between pattern repeats may take additional rolls.

Important Check

Check that the number of rolls and the reference correspond correctly with your order and that they have the same batch number on matching patterns.

Check the manufacturers instructions and to ensure the correct adhesive is being used.

It may also help to check out our FAQs for more details on hanging borders.

Hanging Prepasted Borders 

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1. Ensure the surfaces are clean, smooth and dry

• For professional results it is important to prepare the surfaces to be decorated.

• Ensure surfaces to be decorated are clean and dry.

• High gloss and semi-gloss paint finishes should be sanded in order for adhesive to grip.  (80 grit sand paper)

• Allow for fresh paint 72 hours to cure before applying the border.

• A coating of wall size should be used.  This will assist in the easy removal for borders and wallpapers when redecorating.

• If applying borders over new wallcoverings, make sure the wallcovering is completely dry.

• If applying over vinyl wallcovering, you must use water based vinyl-to-vinyl border adhesive after immersing in water.

2. Draw a line as a guide

• If you have no edge to work to, use a level and draw a pencil line as a guide for the bottom of the border.

• Measure the length of border you wish to adhere for each repeat of the process and pre-cut a sufficient number of these lengths to complete the room.

• If two people are on the job longer lengths can be applied and the number of joins is therefore reduced.

• When working out where joins will appear it is better to go around internal and external corners where possible.

3. Wet border and apply

• Check the manufacturers instructions for curing times and to ensure the correct adhesive is being used.

• If you roll the border with the pattern side in.

• Immerse the border in lukewarm water by dragging it under the wire in the trough.

• Any section should be in the water for no more than a few seconds. Just enough to get wet as any longer causes the paste to wash off.

• Unroll border as you remove it from the water making sure every part of the paste is wet.

• If it is necessary to apply additional border adhesive it is done at this stage.

• Loosely fold with the pasted sides together in a concertina style with pasted sides together. 

• Leave the paper to rest for a few minutes to "book".  This lets the paper relax more and the paste and paper start the process together.

• Unfold and apply following the level line.

• Wallpaper borders have "slip", so you can gently slide it into position.

• Smooth border and wall surface with a damp sponge.

• Wipe away the excess paste and water as you go.

• When a second or further roll is being adhered, over lap a small section of border with the one already on the wall.  Finish applying the remaining of the concertina border as described above and then complete the join as follows.

4. Finish off joins

• Where there are two overlapping sections of border the excess is removed as follows:

• Place a ruler or straight edge so that is runs vertically on a section where the border overlaps.  With a sharp cutter knife, cut along the rule, applying enough pressure to cut through both strips. Remove the excess paper on top and underneath.

• Remove any excess paper using a sharp cutter knife being careful not to tear any border that is damp with water and paste.

• To mitre corners: overlap strips, one on top of the other.  Place a ruler or straight edge so that it runs from the inside corner to the outside corner.  With a sharp cutter knife, cut along the rule, applying enough pressure to cut through both strips. Remove the excess paper on top and underneath.

Notes: If you do not have a trough, ensure the re-rolling is super loose and immerse in a bucket of water. For sections less than the roll measurement, cut these and wet these bits as required. Do not leave another piece of the border soaking in the water while you are hanging as soaking too long removes the paste.

Hanging Unpasted Borders

• Follow the first two sections in the prepasted border section above.  That is, ensure the surfaces are clean, smooth and dry and draw a line as a guide. Next lightly and evenly moisten the back of the border with a damp sponge. Check the particular instructions for more information.  Ensure all sections are soaked for the same period of time.

• Now unroll the border apply the paste evenly using a soft brush. Loosely fold with the pasted sides together in a concertina style for easy handling.

• Now refer back to the prepasted border section on applying the border, for the final instructions.

Hanging Wallpapers

Manufacturers instructions vary and you should follow these usually delivered with the product.

More instructions on paste-the-wall method are available here.

Decorating Tips

Border Ideas

Use off-cuts to decorate diaries, hat boxes, wastepaper bins, place mats and many more accessories.

Cover a blind, panel a wall.

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