Is it necessary (why, for what purpose) to putty the walls before gluing wallpaper

One step in the wallpapering process that is frequently missed is puttingtying the walls before the wallpaper is applied. You may be wondering if it’s worth the extra trouble or if it’s truly necessary. As it happens, puttingtying is more than just a finishing touch; it’s essential to getting a flawless, long-lasting finish.

Putty helps fill in any imperfections on your walls, such as small cracks, dents, or uneven surfaces. These imperfections may result in an uneven wallpaper appearance or even peeling off over time. Your walls will look perfect because you’ve created a uniform surface for the wallpaper to adhere to.

Putty not only makes your wallpaper look better, but it can also make it more durable. Smooth surfaces are less likely to have wrinkles or bubbles, which can happen frequently if your walls aren’t properly prepped. Therefore, even though it could seem like an extra step, doing so will pay off in the long run by producing a more polished and long-lasting result.

Ultimately, the way your room turns out when the wallpaper is applied depends greatly on how much time you spend puttying your walls. Little work can yield significant benefits in terms of durability and beauty. Your future self will appreciate you for not skipping this step!

Reason Purpose
Fills imperfections Prepares a smooth surface for wallpaper
Seals porous surfaces Prevents excessive absorption of wallpaper glue
Improves adhesion Helps wallpaper stick better and last longer
Enhances appearance Ensures a uniform finish without visible flaws

Is there a need for this

A common question is whether putty the walls before gluing wallpaper is necessary.

  1. After treating the surface with putty and plaster composition, a coating with a uniform light shade is formed. When gluing wallpaper on a concrete base, grayish spots may show through the material of the plasterboard.
  2. The panel is leveled by puttying, unevenness cannot be hidden with the help of wallpaper material.
  3. The reason why puttying the walls is to increase the level of adhesion. It is necessary to increase the coefficient of adhesion of the glue to the base when gluing wallpaper on a board made of wood, concrete or OSB.
  4. With the help of puttying, a protective coating is created on the surface, delamination of the plasterboard is prevented, etc..

So is it possible to glue without puttying

Considering the type of wall, it is possible to ascertain if puttying the walls is required prior to adhering the wallpaper. Such a treatment cannot be applied to a layer of lime plaster or gypsum base. However, before gluing, the walls for brick or wood panels must be leveled using putty or primer.

Unevenness may persist when applying wallpaper to walls that have not been puttied. The wallpaper sheets will then start to peel off. Prime the concrete base if there isn’t any putty.

What you need to know for proper wallpapering

  1. Old sheets are removed with a narrow spatula moistened with water. For hard-to-clean wallpaper, special adhesive solutions are used, work is carried out with gloves.
  2. It is necessary to check the wall panels. The surface must be clean, dry, without cracks. Determine whether it is necessary to putty the walls under the wallpaper, taking into account the composition of the base.
  3. The glue is selected for the type of wallpaper. The characteristics of the product are indicated on the packaging. For non-woven or vinyl materials, special glue is used. Sheets on a paper backing are fixed to the surface using any wallpaper glue.

Which putty to choose

The state of the wall is considered when choosing such a finishing material. Cracked surfaces need to be primed with an initiating putty mixture. The final layer is where putty finishes. Only the finishing type of material is used on smooth surfaces.

Putty is sold in the form of a dry powder or solution, mass. The finished product is of high quality, but its cost is higher than that of the dry mixture.

  • shelf life of the material;
  • packaging quality;
  • time for the solution to harden, etc.d.

Puttying the walls is an important step before applying wallpaper, as it leaves the surface even and smooth. This procedure smoothes out blemishes and fissures, improving wallpaper adhesion and polish. It is very worth the extra effort to apply putty for a clean, polished finish because without it, your wallpaper may have noticeable bumps or peeling.

Tools and materials

  • set of spatulas;
  • bucket;
  • rollers;
  • abrasive mesh;
  • electric drill with attachments;
  • rule.

Starting putty, a universal primer with an acrylic base, and, if needed, wallpaper finishing putty are needed for this task.

Puttying your walls is a more involved process than just applying a pretty coat of paint. It’s essential to making sure your wallpaper adheres correctly and looks amazing. Puttying aids in smoothing out any flaws, gaps, or holes in the wall to produce an even and smooth surface. This is crucial because, once applied, wallpaper will draw attention to even the smallest dents or bumps, making them much more noticeable.

In addition to improving appearance, putty extends the life of your wallpaper. There’s less chance of peeling or bubbling wallpaper on a well-prepared surface over time. Additionally, it gives the adhesive a more stable foundation on which to bond well. Without putty, you could have an uneven finish that not only doesn’t look good, but it might also break down more quickly.

Thus, even though puttying may appear like an extra step, the main goal is to create a strong base for your wallpaper. It guarantees a polished, seamless, and long-lasting end product. It will be worthwhile to invest the time necessary to properly prep your walls because the wallpaper application will look better and last longer.

Video on the topic

Primer before wallpapering. Everything you need to know / FineWall

To prime the walls or not, before gluing wallpaper??? Ready answer after 10 years.

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Andrey Ivanov

Experienced civil engineer with more than 20 years of experience. Specializing in the construction of industrial and civil facilities. Author of many publications in professional journals.

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