Wallpaper paste

Walls are like chameleons – whether you want the warm glow of the Mediterranean with rich ochre or terracotta or the cool tones of modern design, the appropriate use of colour can set the ambience perfectly.

Despite the convenience of paint, wallpaper has made a comeback in recent years, thanks to its variety of patterns, textures and colours. It really reflects the personality of the inhabitants and a new phase of life can often begin with a change of wallpaper.

With a change of wallpaper you can revitalise a child’s room, give your dingy flat a homely feel, or turn a bachelor pad into a real family home. Thanks to modern wallpaper pastes, the traditional wallpapering methods are fast becoming a thing of the past. Today’s wallpaper pastes continue to use methylcellulose and starch, – both non-toxic, natural substances – but with resins and materials added to facilitate application and increase viscosity.

The type of paste selected depends upon the kind of wallpaper used. Modern flocked wallpapers, for example, can be especially long lasting and may be dry-stripped, provided the right glue is used in the first place! Fleece wallpapers are available in a variety of designs, patterns and surface textures. Many manufacturers offer them with textures that range from crushed velvet to metallic and matte finishes or even shimmering glass beads. Paste for fleece wallpaper is usually applied directly to the wall, and the wallpaper can then easily be unrolled and directly hung. For this application the paste must have a high initial adhesive strength, but at the same time it must allow for adjustments, for the paper to be precisely positioned before drying.

For every type of wallpaper task there is a specialised wallpaper paste. Old walls are extremely absorbent while new walls absorb very little moisture, and special products are available which regulate the amount of moisture absorbed.

There is even paste for frequently papered, uneven walls. This paste can be applied directly to the rough surface, and then smoothed over before the paper is applied. It’s amazing what a little methylcellulose and starch can do!

With kind permission of: www.feica.com