Self-adhesive wallpaper, also known as peel-and-stick wallpaper, acts like a sticker. It is a type of wallpaper that generally comes with pre-applied adhesive backing. This wallpaper helps to eliminate the need for traditional wallpaper glue or paste during installation. So, you can easily apply it on the walls, ceilings, stairs, floors or furniture by peeling the protective layer at the back. It is one of the best and most practical solutions for transforming a room without undertaking a significant makeover or spending too much. This type of wallpaper can be an excellent solution for those who live in rented homes and want to cover the walls to beautify the house’s surroundings without going through the expensive process of painting the walls.
Today, you can easily find self-adhesive wallpaper in various styles, from 3D coating and texture to plain or patterned. In addition, some designs of self-adhesive wallpaper even replicate the look of wood, cement or fabric tiles by presenting a quick-fix alternative for coating the space damaged due to seepage or any issue.
See also: How to cut wallpapers?
Where to apply self-adhesive wallpaper?
The self-adhesive wallpaper can be easily applied on any dry, smooth and clean surface. The use of this wallpaper is not restricted to walls. You can use self-adhesive wallpaper on the floors to cover a damaged area or a stain. Therefore, it can be easily applied to many types of surfaces, including tiles, plastic, metal, glass and paint.
Moreover, self-adhesive wallpaper can be even used in bathrooms and kitchens that are highly prone to moisture. However, some care should be taken to seal the edges in order to ensure that the water does not get trapped between the self-adhesive wallpaper and the wall surface.
How to apply self-adhesive wallpaper?
The process of applying self-adhesive wallpaper only takes a few steps. You are only required to choose the type of self-adhesive wallpaper that best suits the space in which it will be applied. Once done, you need to follow the given steps explained below:
Step 1: Prepare the wall
You need to turn off the power to remove light switch plates and outlet covers from the space you’re planning to cover. After that, you need to clean the surface of the wall by simply wiping it down with a cloth or damp sponge and a mild or non-abrasive cleaner. Now, you need to wait for at least 24 hours to make the surface completely dry.
Step 2: make a guide for your first piece
Next, you have to measure the width and length of your self-adhesive wallpaper and then mark that on the surface with a pencil. You should use a level and straightedge to draw a line from the baseboard to the ceiling or the other areas that you want to cover. This guide will help you to easily apply the first strip of wallpaper in a straight line.
Step 3: Trim it
You should also access the space where self-adhesive wallpaper will be applied to see if it requires trimming or not. For instance, if you are using this wallpaper for the bathroom, then it should be trimmed so that it can easily fit over the electrical points or taps near the countertop basin. It is also advisable to mark the exact dimensions at the wallpaper’s back before trimming.
Step 4: Apply self-adhesive wallpaper
The self-adhesive wallpaper is now ready to fix on the wall. All you need is to remove the adhesive sheet as slowly as possible at the back. You can even use the spatula as it can help the wallpaper to get easily stretched and applied on the wall in one direction and small movements.
However, you need to be gentle while doing the process so that the surface of the wallpaper doesn’t get torn or scratched. It would be better to choose thick wallpaper in order to prevent creasing, as it is less likely to crinkle in comparison to the thinner options.
Step 5: match patterns and repeat
You should line up the pattern of the self-adhesive wallpaper while applying subsequent pieces in order to ensure a seamless appeal. You can overlap the second piece of the wallpaper slightly with the first and then simply run the smoothing tool along the seam to make it lay as flat and smoother as possible.
You can also trim them from the bottom if required and repeat this step to cover the entire surface.
Step 6: Check for air bubbles
In case any air bubbles remain in the wallpaper, you can simply use the tip of a pin or your utility knife to create a small hole in the middle of the air bubble. After that, you need to press down to release the air trapped inside and smooth the self-adhesive wallpaper.
How to clean or remove the self-adhesive wallpaper?
Cleaning of self-adhesive wallpaper
It is always recommended to follow the instructions of the manufacturer for cleaning the wallpaper so that the print or paper should not get damaged. It can be easily wiped down with a damp cloth in order to remove dirt. However, you can even use the solution of water and regular detergent for sunburn grease to wipe the surface of self-adhesive wallpaper.
Removing self-adhesive wallpaper
Removing the self-adhesive wallpaper generally requires slightly heated glue so that the wallpaper can be easily dislodged from the wall. Moreover, a hairdryer is one of the easiest ways to loosen the self-adhesive wallpaper.
However, if both of these solutions don’t work, a solvent should be applied to the self-adhesive wallpaper as it allows the wallpaper to be peeled off from the surface completely.
FAQs
In which spaces can I apply self-adhesive wallpaper?
The self-adhesive wallpaper generally comes with a glue backing so you can easily apply it on the walls, ceilings, stairs, floors or even furniture by simply peeling the protective layer at the back.
Does self-adhesive wallpaper come in different styles, designs and patterns?
You can easily find self-adhesive wallpaper in a wide range of styles, from 3D coating and texture to plain or patterned. In addition, some designs of self-adhesive wallpaper can even replicate the look of wood, cement, or fabric tiles.
Can self-adhesive wallpaper also stick to the moisture areas?
The self-adhesive wallpaper can be even used in moist areas such as bathrooms and kitchens, which are highly prone to moisture.
What type of surface is best to apply the self-adhesive wallpaper?
The self-adhesive wallpaper can be easily applied on any surface which is dry, smooth and clean.
How can I remove the grease stains from self-adhesive wallpaper?
You can use the solution of water and regular detergent for sunburn grease to wipe the surface of the self-adhesive wallpaper.
How long does a self-adhesive wallpaper last?
The self-adhesive wallpaper can easily last five years or longer with proper application techniques.
What should I do if my self-adhesive wallpaper falls off?
This problem is likely to arise due to incorrect application or dirty walls. To tackle this, you need to pull back the wallpaper from the space and clean the wall with the mixture of â…“ water and â…” isopropyl alcohol and let it dry completely. Now attempt to reapply the self-adhesive wallpaper and you are done.
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