Choosing the Best Wallpaper Paste

Including wallpaper in a home or business can be a DIY project, but we often recommend professional installation to achieve a smooth and consistent look. Wallpaper installation can be a challenge with unexpected angles, curves, and cutouts. It is almost always best to spend a little extra and be guaranteed a beautiful finished product.

According to Chuck Waltman of Houston Home Remodeling Pros, for pros and installers, we know how important reliable products are for a successful installation. What are some specific requirements you need to consider when choosing the best type of wallpaper paste for your project? Are you completing a residential or commercial project? Once you have your chosen wallcovering in hand, which wallpaper paste is the best adhesive for your project?

Needs and Requirements of Residential and Commercial Projects

Most projects will be covering new drywall, existing painted drywall, or textured drywall. The main difference in requirements for installation will be the anticipated daily exposure to traffic (how often the wallpaper will need to be cleaned), durability, design or style desired, and how often the wallcovering will need to be changed out to refresh the style.

In a residential application, a change in design may be desired every couple of years with the minimum being every time the home sells. The future buyer will be glad to know you took their needs into consideration when you installed your wallpaper. Just as important as the design of the wallcovering you choose is the wallpaper paste you use. Certain pastes are formulated to provide easier removal when it is time to redecorate. 

Wallcoverings that are strippable or peelable should be considered for most residential applications. This will include solid vinyl and vinyl-coated paper. These wallpapers are manufactured with durability in mind, making maintenance easy. 

Solid pre-pasted vinyl wallpapers are great for residential applications because many are peelable, meaning that when it comes time to replace the wallpaper, the top layer peels off, leaving a paper backing that comes off easily with the help of a remover.

Another type of wallcovering that is an excellent choice for residential use is wallpaper with a non-woven backing. Non-woven backings are quickly becoming the preferred base material for wallpaper. Manufactured from a fibrous material, these wallpapers can be easier to install and easier to remove! Wallpapers with non-woven backings are designed to remove in full strips, leaving the wall clean and smooth. 

In older buildings and walls with texture, liner paper can be applied t to help cover imperfections in the wall surface. Liner paper is typically installed horizontally. This method of horizontal installation is known as “railroading”. This helps eliminate the chance that seams on the top layer of wallcovering match up with seams in the liner paper.

For applications that require covering a rough or bumpy surface — such as textured drywall or sealed wood paneling, liner paper plus a paintable, textured wallpaper is an excellent choice. Liner paper help hide problem surfaces underneath and a top layer textured wallpaper helps further hide imperfections

For commercial applications, many of the same concerns that are dealt with in a residential setting will apply, but the material must be even more durable. 

Unpasted fabric-backed vinyl is generally the best option for commercial projects. These wallpaper designs have a durable vinyl facing that helps protect the wall from bumps and scratches. It’s the best option if you want to hide imperfections on the wall. In contrast to the standard 21-27” width for residential use, commercial wallcoverings typically in 54” widths. 

ROMAN – The No. 1 Contractor Brand

A good wallpaper installation begins with selecting the correct adhesive for your job. Roman makes a full line of adhesives for every application.