Wallpaper borders are an inexpensive and easy way to add color and pattern to a room. Borders are traditionally applied where the wall meets the ceiling, but they can be used as a design element at any level on the wall.
There are a large variety of wallpaper border designs and styles available. At Home Depot’s online Wallpaper Company, wallpaper borders from Disney, NASCAR and Nickelodeon are ideal for children’s rooms. American Blinds offers more than 14,000 designs in every imaginable theme, color and material.
Once you’ve decided on a design, there are just a few easy steps to hang your wallpaper borders.
Materials and tools
Measuring tape
Bucket or wallpaper tray
Paste-activating adhesive (if applying on top of wallpaper)
Sponge
Scissors
Straightedge
Utility knife
Ladder
Long table OR sheet of plywood and two sawhorses
Most wallpaper borders are prepasted. If you are applying the border to a painted wall, the paste on the wallpaper will be sufficient. When applying on top of wallpaper, especially vinyl wallpaper, experts recommend use a paste-activating adhesive like Zinsser’s Prepz. This adhesive activates the paste on the paper and insures a good bond.
These are the steps for hanging wallpaper borders.
Step 1 – Measure the walls you want to apply borders to, subtracting windows and doors from the measurement. Buy some extra border paper for matching patterns.
Step 2 – Make sure the walls are clean before hanging the wallpaper border.
Step 3 – If you are applying the border to painted walls, fill the bucket or tray with water. Take a roll of border paper, and loosely reroll it with the prepasted side out. Submerge in water for the length of time specified by the manufacturer. Make sure the entire prepasted side is wet.
If you are applying the border on to wallpaper, lay out the wallpaper with the design side down and brush on the paste-activating gel.
Step 4 – On the table, “book” the wallpaper by unrolling it and then loosely folding it accordion style, with the pasted side in. This will aid in activating the paste. Follow the wallpaper instructions to determine how long to book the paper.
Step 5 – Choose an inconspicuous corner to begin hanging the border. Starting half an inch from the corner, apply the paper on the corner and adjacent wall, unfolding as you go. Smooth the paper with the sponge, removing creases and bubbles. Clean any excess glue that seeps out of the edges with the sponge.
Step 6 – To hang the next piece, match the design to the end of the previous piece. When you have gone around the room and are back at the first corner, cover the overlap and apply the paper right up to the corner.
Your wallpaper border will be hung before you know it, and you can enjoy it for years to come.
Sources
http://www.wallpaperborders.com
http://www.askthebuilder.com/636_Wallpaper_Borders.shtml
