Choosing Wallpaper

Your first step in choosing wallpaper is to decide on the material. Wallpaper is available in many types of materials. When choosing wallpaper, read the manufacturer's label carefully for hanging and cleaning specifications.

Embossed	Fabric	Flock
Foil	Grass cloth	Vinyl

The pattern of the wallpaper determines the effect created. A pattern is basically how the print on the wallpaper runs.

Horizontal pattern	Vertical pattern	Drop pattern

• Horizontal patterns make a room seem wider. In some homes the ceiling and walls may not be perfectly squared. To make this less obvious, avoid horizontal striped patterns.
  
  
• Vertical patterns make the ceiling in a room seem higher. In some homes, the walls are not square or perfectly vertical. To make this less obvious, avoid vertical striped patterns.
  
  
• Drop patterns repeat diagonally across the strip and require additional paper to match up. A drop pattern is a good choice if your room isn't perfectly squared.
  
  

Wallpaper manufacturers have improved the wallpaper hanging process by creating three different types of wallpaper:

• Pre-pasted wallpaper is pre-coated with adhesive. Water or a manufactured activator is used to activate the paste.
  
  
• Self-adhesive wallpaper requires no paste, water or activator . You simply peel the backing off and stick the paper in place.
  
  
• Non-pasted wallpaper has no pre-paste or adhesive. This wallpaper is sometimes referred to as "dryback" wallpaper. Adhesive/paste is required for hanging. Use the wallpaper adhesive specified by the manufacturer.
  
  

One major thing to keep in mind is the possibility of removing your wallpaper. Most pre-pasted and self-adhesive wallpaper is either strippable or peelable. Non-pasted wallpaper is the most difficult to remove.

• Strippable wallpaper can easily be removed without water or chemicals. Simply start at a corner of the paper and gently pull it away from the wall.



• Peelable wallpaper is removed in a similar fashion to strippable paper. Usually, a thin layer of paper remains on the wall. Remove the paper using soap and water.

Picking out wallpaper is more than just color and print. Always read the label carefully to determine the wallpaper material, how to hang, and the level of care required. The following is a list of terms to look for on a manufacturer's label. The terms will help you narrow down the vast selection available.

Is the wallpaper:

• Stain-resistant? Good for kitchens, hallways and children's rooms.



• Scrubbable? Good for children's rooms and hallways.



• Moisture-resistant? Good for bathrooms.



• Prepasted? No paste needed. Just water.



• Self-adhesive? No supplies needed for preparation.



• Removable or Strippable? Good for when you change your mind.



• Textured? Hides ugly wall imperfections.

Good idea: Make sure all of the rolls are from the same run number or dye lot. Different dye lots have slight differences in print and color. Write down the dye lot or run number for future reference.