Can You Put Peel and Stick Wallpaper on Old Wallpaper? A Complete Guide
Dipan PatelShare
Just the mere idea of peeling off old-fashioned wallpaper can easily put a freeze on any landlord or balloting renters imagination. In most cases, it is an arduous task involving steamers, chemical strippers, scraping tools, and hours of dirty work. If you are in a mood to give your room a new look but are afraid of tearing down, then you are probably asking the golden question: "Can we use peel and stick wallpaper over old wallpaper?"
The positive answer might just save you days of hard work and at the same time, it can open up a new realm of design options. Modern self-adhesive wallpapers have emerged as the best alternative for a DIY room makeover and they have completely transformed the renovation scenario. But before you start stacking, there are a few crucial guidelines to adhere to in order to guarantee that your fresh appearance is retained.
The Short Answer: Yes, But Preparation Is Everything
In Short: Yes, it is possible to install removable wallpaper on top of traditional wallpaper. It is an excellent way to change the look of a room without going through the messy and time-consuming process of removing the old and revealing the plaster or drywall. However, layering wall coverings is not simply a matter of applying one sticker over the other.
The ultimate decision is based on the surface of the existing wall. If the surface is solid, smooth, and clean, the peel and stick wall covering will stick great. But, if the old paper is textured or coming off, you will have some difficulties.
The "Stick Check": When You Should Not Layer
The inspection of your current walls must be done first before you acquire the design of your dreams. Even though peel and stick wall murals are considered to be very efficient, they still need a smooth surface as their main requirement. For the following three circumstances, it is advisable not to cover the existing wallpaper:
- The Texture Trap: Adhesive depends on the contact between surface area and the adhesive to stick. In case your old wallpaper has a very thick texture with deep embossing, or it is with flocking (the fuzzy velvet feel), then the adhesive that is on the back of your peel and stick wall decor will not hold effectively. Consequently, either the new paper will leave or the peeling-off will occur shortly after the installation.
- Dampness or Damage: Do not cover the problem with a cosmetic fix that is done poorly. If your current wallpaper is already peeling, or bubbling, or it has mold and water damage signs, then installing vinyl over paper will only trap the moisture and make the problem worse. You must fix the underlying issue first.
- Coated Vinyl Surfaces: At times, it is the case that stick-on wallpaper over existing paper can fail if the old paper is strictly vinyl-coated. Vinyl on vinyl sometimes prevents proper adhesion. A quick test with a sample swatch is always a good idea to see whether the bond holds after 24 hours.
How to Prep Old Wallpaper for a New Look
Once your walls have passed the test, the next step will be the surface preparation for the wallpaper to be pasted. This is the most crucial step in the entire process. Bypassing this step will lead to the formation of bubbles and the edges getting peeled off.
- Clean the Surface Thoroughly: Dust, grease, and grime are the main causes of poor adhesion and are found on old walls. With the help of a damp cloth, mild cleaner, or a mixture of isopropyl alcohol and water, wipe the existing wallpaper. Allow it to dry completely before you begin.
- Secure Loose Seams: Touch the walls with your palm. If you discover any corners that are not attached or seams that are peeling then apply the glue firmly to hold them down. A self-adhesive wallpaper requires a flat base because otherwise, the flaws will be visible through the new layer.
- Consider a Primer: For a really good outcome, especially in the case of wallpapering over with a busy or dark pattern, a primer coat will be beneficial. The primer prevents the old pattern from "ghosting" or showing through your new custom printed wall sheets, and it also provides a fresh surface for the adhesive to grip.
Why This is the Ultimate Rent-Friendly Hack
For renters, the option to put up and later take down removable wallpaper over the existing one is a huge benefit. It's quite common for landlords to say no to the removal of existing wallpaper since a drywall accident is likely to happen. Nevertheless, it’s frequently tolerated the addition of a layer of rental-friendly home decoration that can be removed later.
As this is a non-destructive wall covering, you can turn an outdated apartment into a modern one with temporary wall graphics and just peel them off when your lease ends, thus leaving the original wall covering undamaged.
Step-by-Step: Installing Your New Look
The installation process is simple once you have everything done.
- Measure and Cut: Measure the height of your wall and add few inches for cutting off.
- Align the Pattern: Make sure your pattern of peel and stick wall murals is aligned exactly at eye level.
- Peel and Smooth: Pull the backing off slowly after that, and use a squeegee to smoothen on the wall and push air bubbles out.
- Trim: Take a nice sharp blade and cut the extra off at the ceiling and baseboards.
Instead of going through a month-long renovation nightmare, this method makes layering of peel and stick wall decor a manageable weekend project.
Are You Prepared to Change Your Area?
By this time, you have realized that the stripping process can be easily skipped, so there is literally nothing preventing you from making your dream house. We have a wide selection of top-notch materials for hiding old surfaces that can be either extreme in patterns or mild in textures.
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