Wallpaper is a very popular way to add color and depth to any room without having to deal with any messy paints! However, all walls are not made the same. Many different types of walls have some form of texture, and it's important to know how wallpaper works with them! We have looked into how well wallpaper sticks to different kinds of textured walls so that you can know if it will work in your home!
It depends on how textured your walls are. If they are lightly textured then wallpaper can stick, but it might show some imperfections. Wallpaper most likely won't stick to heavily textured walls, and if it does, you'll see the texture through the paper. To know if your wallpaper will work you can do a test spot first. Some of the common types of textured walls include drywall and plaster, brick, stone, wood, and concrete.
Before you purchase some nice and expensive wallpaper you should have all the information possible. Since this project's success depends on exactly how textured your walls are, keep reading below to know for sure if it will work in your home!
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Putting Wallpaper On Textured Walls
The success of putting wallpaper on textured walls depends on the type of texture and your chosen wallpaper along with the texture of the walls. Less texture means less trouble. There are also so many designs and varying thicknesses for wallpaper that hide imperfections better than others.
Lightly Textured Walls
If your walls have a light and shallow texture to them then wallpaper may still work out for you! The problem is that even light texturing can show through. That's why the success of this project may depend on how the wallpaper you want interacts with your wall's texture. Maybe you like how to texture looks coming through your wallpaper, in which case you don't have to worry about the texture!
Heavily Textured Walls
The more pronounced the texturing is, the harder it's going to be to put wallpaper on it. Even if you can get it to stick, heavy texturing is going to show through no matter what. To know for sure if you can get the wallpaper to stick to your walls, you should consult a professional or do a test spot.
Common Types Of Wall Texturing
Here we'll talk more about the common types of textured walls and the best approach for wallpapering each type.
1. Drywall And Plaster
Drywall and plaster might be the simplest textured walls to attempt to wallpaper because their level of texture can vary. If they are lightly textured then the right wallpaper may adhere easily to them. However, if they have heavy texturing then you might have to smooth out the walls first. Do a test spot first to see if you have to prepare the walls first or not!
2. Brick
Brick is one of the hardest surfaces to wallpaper. This is because of the texture and the porousness of this material. Not only do bricks usually have imperfections, but you also have to deal with the mortar lines and the texture within the mortar. Since brick is slightly porous, that can also affect how the wallpaper adheres, which you have to consider before you even worry about the texture.
To wallpaper brick, you have to smooth it out first. Otherwise, at the very least, the mortar lines will show. The easiest way to do this is to use lining paper.
3. Stone
Stone is an even worse surface to wallpaper than brick walls! This is because it is a very irregular surface, and brick starts much more even. Unfortunately, lining paper won't work on most stone walls because there isn't enough even surface for it to stick to. However, that can depend on your individual stone wall.
This means that the easiest way is to fill in all of the gaps and start sanding. With stone walls, this will produce a ton of dust, so thinking about minimizing the mess before you start is a must. You should also consider how porous your stone wall is and if the wallpaper will stick to it well even when it is flat.
4. Wood
Most homes don't have real wood walls, but instead, they most likely have wood paneling. It is very possible to wallpaper over wood paneling. Most wood paneling is going to show to some extent through even the thickest wallpaper. The best way to deal with this is to use lining paper.
5. Concrete
Most wallpaper will adhere to solid concrete walls. While they may not be overall textured like some of the other types of walls, concrete walls are still normally known to have many knicks, dents, and imperfections. Depending on how solid the wallpaper is and if there are only some imperfections, you may not have to worry about preparing these walls at all! However, if there are imperfections that you think will show, you can easily fill them in with mud or spackle and sand them down for a smooth finish!
How To Know If Wallpaper Will Stick To You Walls
The simplest way to find out is to do a test spot. Get a sample of the wallpaper that you want (or several different kinds). Then, apply it to a section of your wall. Wait several days and see what it looks like and whether it is still properly adhered to your wall. You can make a better-informed decision once you know how these wallpapers look on your walls!
How To Stick Wallpaper To Textured Walls
To apply wallpaper to textured walls you can simply apply it using the normal application methods. If you don't think that your chosen wallpaper will stick, then the problem isn't how it's applied. You have to deal with the texturing of the walls to make them stick better.
How Do You Prepare A Textured Wall For Wallpaper?
The best way to make your walls better suited for wallpaper is by removing the texture. One way to do this is by using drywall mud on the wall. This method may have better results depending on what material the base wall is. You can use other materials to achieve this as well, like spackling. Once you have your chosen filler applied to the wall and it's dried, you can sand it all down for a nice smooth surface!
Click here to shop for all-purpose drywall mud on Amazon!
Another great way to smooth textured walls is to use wall liners! Also known as lining paper, this is a material that goes over textured walls to smooth them. It is made specifically to prepare walls for wallpaper so their texturing doesn't cause any visual or functionality issues!
Start shopping for wall liner here on Amazon!
Here is a great video for one way to prepare a textured wall for wallpaper!
Does Peel And Stick Wallpaper Stick To Textured Walls?
This also depends on the wallpaper and the wall. If it's good and thick wallpaper and a lightly textured wall then it should be fine. However, they are not going to stick well to a more pronounced texture.
How Do You Wallpaper Over A Bumpy Wall?
Many older-style walls feature bumps all over them. Like with any texture, these can range from minimal to very pronounced. Finding the best way to wallpaper over these bumps depends on your individual walls. You might be able to pick the right paper and simply apply it. For the best results, you should either mud over the bumps and smooth them out or use a wall liner. The smoother the wall, the better the paper is going to stick.
Finishing Up
In conclusion, how well the wallpaper goes on your textured walls depends on how textured your walls are and the type of wallpaper that you choose! All of this can also depend on the material that your wall is since some are easier to smooth out than others. For the best results, you should smooth out your textured walls. The easiest ways to do this is to use lining paper or mudding and sanding. Once you have your wall smoothed out, the actual application process should be quick and easy!
For more wallpaper knowledge to use in your home, make sure to click on the links below!
Does Wallpaper Cover Cracks And Imperfections?