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Know your wallpaper

From Habitat plus – wallpaper

Wallpapers are typically sold as single rolls that are 50cm wide and approx 10m long. Some may be wider or narrower, longer or shorter.

Types

Many wallpapers are now ‘paste-the-wall’ types, which means exactly that. You paste the wall, then apply the paper. Only papers with a non-woven substrate are suitable for this. If in doubt, check with your Resene ColorShop staff. This type of paper also dry-strips easily from the wall.

Pre-pasted papers come with a water-activated adhesive backing. You need to soak the paper to relax the adhesive, before hanging.

Left: Resene Wallpaper Collection E378001.   Right: Resene Wallpaper Collection E378028.

Print matching

The designs on some wallpapers need to be matched from strip to strip, ie lined up so that the wall has an even effect. There are three types: straight, random and drop. Straight-match papers run the width of the paper and across the seam onto the next strip. Random-match papers continue seamlessly no matter what. Drop-match papers require extra planning and must be aligned horizontally and vertically on either side, as the pattern is slightly offset from strip to strip.

Drop-match papers will come with a ‘pattern repeat’ expressed in the the number of centimetres a pattern stretches vertically until it repeats itself. The lower the repeat, the lower the waste. Solids and textures, for example, have no repeat and little waste because the amount you’ll need is easy to calculate.

How much will you need

Calculating how much wallpaper you need can be tricky when you take into account the windows and doors in the room. Exact roll measurements also vary by manufacturer, but most cover five square metres. Ask your Resene ColorShop staff to help, or use the calculator.

Upkeep

Wallpapers are durable and maintenance is easy. Scrubbable papers can be cleaned with a sponge and detergent. Washable papers can be gently cleaned or wiped with a damp cloth.

Removal

Unlike years gone by where soaking then chipping away at an old wallpaper with a broadknife was the only way to get it off, today’s wallpapers are easy to remove. They come in strippable and peelable types. The former can be removed without water or chemicals and leave no backing. The latter peels off the wall and may leave some adhesive residue behind, which can be removed with detergent and water.

International wallpaper symbols

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• Retail customers and homeowners: All Resene ColorShop and DIY Cardholders are sent a copy of each issue of Habitat. Sign up for your free card here - Australian residents - New Zealand residents.
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Habitat plus are not mailed directly. They are available free from Resene ColorShops and resellers while stocks last and available for viewing online.