When it comes to do it yourself decorating, preparation is key and this is especially true when it comes to wallpapering. We’re sure that you’ve all encountered problems at one point or another and there’s nothing more irritating than feeling satisfied that you’ve finally finished hanging the wallpaper only to see little plaster bumps from uneven walls under the finished result. In this article we take a look at what lining paper is and its advantages when undertaking a wallpapering project in your own home.
Lining paper, whatever type you buy, has a number of advantages versus not using lining paper. The first, and most commonly known is that lining paper can help to smooth the walls of your room. Thin lining paper can be used to help disguise small bumps, pits and cracks in the wall whilst more heavy duty lining wallpapers can cover a multitude of imperfections. By using lining paper you are ensuring a flatter finish to your walls.
The second advantage of using lining paper is that it helps to stop your wallpaper from shrinking. One of the common problems associated with applying standard wallpaper directly to your walls is that it is prone to expanding when wet and then shrinking again once dry. This can lead to gaps in between your drops of wallpaper once you have finished decorating, giving a less than professional results. Lining paper can actually help to reduce this as it holds the expanded wallpaper n place whilst it dries, stopping it from shrinking to its pre pasted size.
Another advantage of using lining wallpaper before hanging wallpaper is that it can help prevent your wallpaper from peeling. If wallpaper is applied directly to plastered or painted walls, once dry the wallpaper might peel or slide from the wall, resulting in a need for reapplication. This is especially common when cheaper wallpapers and wallpaper adhesives are used. By applying lining paper to your walls first, you are ensuring a more durable and long lasting finish.
