Illustrative study
03 / preparing
Wall preparation
How to tell whether a wall is ready for wallcovering: old coatings, dryness, soundness, filling and sanding, lining paper, priming and what needs a site inspection.
Read the guideWallpapering
Plan the wall.
Then the finish.
Start with the product, the wall and the room it is going into. These guides cover quantities, preparation and hanging; the wallcovering maker’s current instructions come first.
PrepareUnderstand the wallSubstrate, existing finishes and preparation →PlanWork out the rollsWorking quantity, spare and cutting plan →SpecifyPrepare the briefProduct references, drawings and responsibilities →
Preparation materials
Lining papers, pastes and primers
Start with the wallcovering maker’s current instructions. Compare our preparation guidance, lining grades and materials reference, with product sources and the dates checked.
Lining & adhesivesTechnical reference
Fire ratings
A class such as B-s1,d0 applies to the product in the documented build-up, within its permitted variations. Check the exact wallcovering, substrate and adhesive together. The separate reference explains the classes, the four UK nations and the evidence available for named products.
Fire ratings & standardsRead the documents as one build-up
- Substrate
The wall or board, including its class, thickness and density where specified.
- Fixing & preparation
The adhesive and any primer, lining, joints or air gap covered by the evidence.
- Exact wallcovering
The product reference, backing, weight, finish and printed variant.
Preparation and hanging guides
13 / planning
Set-out and pattern matching
Where the first drop goes and why: setting out from a focal point, setting a true vertical with a laser in a room that is not square, matching across joints and corners, balancing the end panels, hanging murals in order, and joining wide vinyl by overlap and splice.
Read the guide
12 / planning
Ceilings and staircases
What changes when the paper goes overhead or up a stair: the order of work in a room, relief papers on ceilings, cutting around lanterns and roses, heritage ceilings, stair-wall set-out and why stairs need a larger allowance.
Read the guide
Illustrative study
06 / planning
Hand-painted papers and murals
How a scenic or hand-painted paper is set out: elevations, the focal point, panel sequence, doors and corners, finished dimensions and when the survey has to happen.
Read the guide
02 / choosing
Grasscloth seams and variation
Grasscloth seams show and panels vary in shade. What is normal, what is a fault, how the set-out and the batch change the result, and what to settle before you order.
Read the guide
Illustrative study
10 / caring
Problems and aftercare
What to do when a wallcovering bubbles, lifts or marks: what to photograph and record, what not to touch, how to clean each material, and when an inspection is needed.
Read the guideYour project
Start with the product reference.
Send the room, the material you are considering and any drawings or photographs you already have.
Discuss your wallcovering