Can You Put Wallpaper on Textured Walls?

Can You Put Wallpaper on Textured Walls?

Wallpaper is one of the best ways to refresh a wall after painting. However, it can be tricky if you have textured walls. Typically, wallpaper is designed for smooth surfaces, so applying it on textured walls may pose some challenges. But with proper preparation, you can still make wallpaper work on textured surfaces.

Which Wallpapers Are Best for Textured Walls?

For textured walls, thicker wallpapers are generally better. Thin papers may reveal imperfections and can easily tear on rough surfaces. Thick, non-woven, or fabric-backed wallpapers are the best options for textured walls. Still, regardless of the type of wallpaper, it’s a good idea to smooth the wall as much as possible for better results.

What Happens If You Put Wallpaper on a Textured Wall?

1-Bubbling and Blistering

Air pockets can form between the wallpaper and the wall, causing bubbles to appear, especially in warmer weather.

2-Poor Adhesion

Most wallpaper adhesives are liquid-based and made for smooth surfaces. These adhesives can’t fill in the gaps of a textured wall, leading to poor adhesion.

3-Visible Seams

Aligning seams can be difficult on smooth walls, but it’s even more challenging on textured ones. Visible seams can create an unsightly finish.

4-Glue Overflow

Smoothing the wallpaper with a cloth or a plastic spatula can cause excess glue to seep out on textured walls.

5-Wallpaper Shifts

Because it doesn’t stick well to textured walls, wallpaper can move around during the application process.

6-Wallpaper Tears

The raised bumps on a textured wall can cause the wallpaper to tear, especially thinner papers.

How to Put Wallpaper on Textured Walls?

It’s important to have a smooth surface for wallpaper to adhere properly and to achieve a flawless look. Here are some methods to prepare your wall:

1-Skim Coating & Sanding

This is one of the most common ways to smooth rough surfaces. Apply a thin layer of plaster or joint compound to the wall and let it dry. Then, sand it with 150 or 180-grit sandpaper. Wipe away dust with a damp cloth before applying the wallpaper.

• Pros: Provides the smoothest, most professional result.
• Cons: Time-consuming and requires attention to detail.

2-Sanding

For mildly textured walls, sanding alone may be sufficient. Start with coarse sandpaper, then move to finer grits for a smoother finish. A sanding machine can speed up the process for larger areas.

• Pros: Simple and cost-effective for light textures.
• Cons: Won’t work for heavily textured walls.

3-Lining Paper

Lining paper is an easy way to prep a textured wall for wallpaper. Hang it horizontally to prevent the wallpaper seams from aligning with the lining paper seams. Once it’s applied, you can wallpaper directly over it.

• Pros: Fast, easy, and affordable.
• Cons: May not be as smooth as skim coating but is great for DIY projects.

4-Wall Panels

You can use wall-covering panels like wood or thin plasterboard to create a smooth surface. Attach the panels directly to the wall, fill in the seams, and then apply the wallpaper.

• Pros: Permanent and professional solution.
• Cons: More expensive and labor-intensive than other methods.

5-Hire a Professional

If you don’t want to do the work yourself, hire a professional plasterer to smooth your walls for you.

• Pros: Ensures a professional, flawless result.
• Cons: More costly than DIY methods.

Which Method Is Best for You?

If your walls have only mild texture, sanding or using lining paper should work well. However, if the walls are more heavily textured, skim coating and sanding will give you the best results. For a quicker and budget-friendly option, lining paper is ideal. Additionally, ready-to-use cream wall adhesives can work on concrete-textured walls.

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