Can You Wallpaper Directly Onto Plasterboard?

Effective ways to wallpaper your plasterboard.

Before proceeding to know whether plasterboard can hold your wallpaper or not, let's know what it's made of.

What is a plasterboard?

A plasterboard, also known as a drywall or wallboard, is a gypsum-made (calcium sulphate dihydrate) material for firm interiors. The U.K., Australia, and the rest of the world call it a plasterboard, whereas the U.S and Canada term it as drywall instead of plastered surface. As the name suggests, the gypsum-made drywall is a porous, uneven, and water-absorbent material that requires a smooth finish to accommodate wallpaper. It needs sanding or fillers (also known as drywall joint filler) between the joints of two plasterboards to ensure a flawless surface for wallpapering plasterboard. Commonly used to structure a firm interior, it's a suitable material for ceilings, home walls, and exterior walls, each capable of holding wall decor.

Therefore, if anyone asks whether drywalls are wall mural-friendly or not, the answer is definitely yes! You just have to adjust it. We will now know the challenges and a process to prime them and prepare a smooth wall to take wallpapers in.

Why is wallpapering drywall a challenge?

There are multiple challenges to wallpaper installation on plasterboard or drywall. It's due to:-

Tough nature

The bare walls have countless pores that absorb the adhesive’s moisture quite fast. As a result, your wallpaper may lose its strong grip from the surface and end up creating bubbles, creases, or wrinkles. The porosity causes uneven wall surfaces that block the way towards a smooth installation of wallpaper over plasterboard.

Possibility of damage

Your luxurious wall covering might end up tearing into big chunks due to its direct application on the untreated plasterboard. When we fix the wallpaper on an unfinished surface, it fastens the paper strongly and permanently. When you try removing them, it come out in big pieces and damage both the wall and paper forever.

Priming is a compulsion

Priming plasterboard for wallpaper becomes a necessity if not a safety measure, but a compulsion for sure. Using any primer sealer of reliable brands, can topcoat the wall’s surface with a water-resistant layer and protect the direct exposure of adhesive to the wall. This way, you create a fence between the wallpaper and the wall, ensuring a smooth removal later.

Textured surface

Textured plasterboards with raised surfaces, such as orange peel, require sanding and skimming the surface with a joint compound. This process of layering or plastering the drywalls removes the uneven texture that hinders a uniform wallpapering. No amount of high-quality paper can cover the textured surface, and therefore, skim-coating is necessary. After the plasterboard is smooth and ready for priming, you can go ahead with plasterboard wall covering.

What steps are required to prime the walls evenly?

Study the following steps before applying wallpaper to plasterboard. It's not just about pasting the wallpaper but ensuring a safe, durable, and neat procedure. Starting with:-

Step 1: Thorough inspection of the gypsum board or plasterboard

• No amount of pores, cracks, gouges, or holes can be left untreated before wallpapering. Each must be filled with spackling paste or drywall mud( glue that holds the gypsum wall intact)using a putty knife. If the holes are big, wait for the filler compounds to dry and double coat if necessary. This way, you ensure a damage-free surface to accommodate a wallcovering.

Step 2: Sand the surface for a perfect finish

• Sand the spackled surface when it dries up and trim the excess compound for an even surface. Remember not to scratch or harm the drywall, and hence check the grit of the sandpaper. Prefer using a pole sander or hand sander with a fine grit of 120 - 140, which helps to achieve a flawless transition.

Step 3: Clean the drywall end to end

• Take a sponge or a damp cloth that is barely wet and clean the sanded surface thoroughly. This way you remove dust particles and fine dirt that might bubble or crease the wallpaper. Remember not to hydrate the wall too much, as a completely dried surface is a compulsion for a wallpaper-friendly space.

Step 4: Choosing the right primer based on your budget

• Choosing an appropriate primer is the best solution for sealing plasterboard before wallpaper. From affordable polyvinyl acetate (most common) to oil-based humidity blocker primer, you can avail the best for each wall. Other options, such as acrylic drywall primer, sealer, and shellac primer, are also considered ideal to absorb the topcoat uniformly and restrict the odor of stains.

Step 5: Apply the primer carefully

• A perfect drywall wallpaper preparation includes a proper coating of the primer. Make sure the room is well circulated by every medium, such as fans, windows, and doors, to allow a quick drying of the primer. Now, with the help of a paint roller and primer on a flat tray, apply it evenly and with a uniform coverage to every inch of the wall. This way, you coat the drywall perfectly and ensure a smooth wallpapering.

Step 6: Double-check for any double coat

• After the primer sealer is applied well on the wall, check for any flaws or missing points. Once you are sure of no flaws, your wall is ready to hold the wallpaper of your choice.

Wallpapers: Changing the avatar of your boring drywall

Decorating unpainted plasterboard is like adding a soul to a lifeless body. With an exceptional range of gorgeous wallpapers, you not only decorate the boring drywalls but also light up the space. It's a perfect way to look at your walls and bring a fresh perspective to them. Make sure not to leave the space all bland and choose wallpapers to add meaning to them.