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Wallpaper Tips for Your Home Remodeling Jobs

Putting wallpaper on the walls is one of the easiest and fastest ways to completely change the feel and look of a room. Wallpaper comes in a wide variety of styles, textures, colors, and patterns. Here are some things you need to know to select and purchase the right wallpaper for the job.

First of all, you need to estimate how much wallpaper will be needed for the project at hand. So here’s a general formula to help you figure it out. First measure the height and width you need to cover. Then be sure to add an additional 10-15% to cover debris. Once you have this number, you can divide it by the square foot rating of the paper you choose. That should give you a figure for how many rolls of wallpaper you’re going to need.

It’s actually not a bad idea to add a few extra rolls as well, especially if you have a complex pattern that requires it. And besides, you may need to do repairs in the future anyway, so having an extra roll or two available can come in handy later on.

One caveat to keep in mind regarding wallpaper is that, due to the production process, rolls that may look similar in the store will not always look the same when you hang them on the wall. That’s why wallpaper rolls come in what are called dye lots that identify the rolls that really match. So make sure as you review and select your wallpaper that you look for rolls that come from the same dye lot.

Most modern vinyl wallpapers already have paste on the back, so it’s just a matter of soaking them in water and hanging them on the wall. However, there are different types of papers that are available. Solid vinyl wallpapers are the most common these days as they are very durable, washable and easy to hang. There are also other papers that are simply vinyl coated and therefore somewhat less durable but still good for most uses.

More expensive papers include embossed paper that has a raised pattern and is also easy to hang. Some papers are made from grass, and are especially useful for covering walls that have blemishes or damage.

Foil wallpaper is very expensive, although it can quickly brighten and change a small room if used correctly. Some also like to use fabric wallpaper, but be aware that it doesn’t clean very well or easily, and can be extremely difficult to hang.

Generally speaking, most wallpaper hangers find that working clockwise around the room is best for right-handed people, and counterclockwise works best for left-handed people. Where you start in the room is largely up to you, but try to select a major focal point to begin with.

Selecting and hanging wallpaper is within the reach of most homeowners. So it’s one of those home improvement projects that just about anyone can do with a little determination and practice. So why not try it at home?

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