Wallpaper Border FAQ's
- How do I figure how many rolls I need?
- How do I install borders?
- Do I need to paste my border?
- Do I need to apply wall sizing before hanging my border?
- What tools do I need?
- How high is chair-rail?
- How soon after painting can I hang border?
- Can JustBorders.com "special order" borders that are not shown on this web site?
- What if I have additional questions?
How do I figure how many rolls I need?
Measure the distance around the room in feet. An allowance will need to be made for any doors, windows, cabinets, etc, that will interrupt the path of the installed border. Divide this total distance by 15 (most borders are packaged in 15 foot spools.) For example, a room totaling 40 feet around, divided by 15 ft. per spool equals 2.67 or 3 spools. In this example, you would have 5 feet of extra border to use to match the pattern as you join each spool on the wall. Always allow a foot or two extra to match each spool to the next.How do I install borders?
Always follow any manufacturer instructions packaged with your border. Here are general instructions that are valid for most applications.Decide which corner to begin in. Usually an inconspicuous corner as you walk into the room, since the border will not match there when you complete your trip around the room.
For pre-pasted borders: loosely re-roll the border paste side out and submerse in cool water for approximately 20 seconds. Starting with the loose end, pull the border from the water, allowing the border to unroll in the water, making sure the entire back of the border is wet to properly activate the dry adhesive. Pull several feet out, folding the border back on itself paste side to paste side (booking), pull several more feet out, and "book" that, continuing to create an accordion effect until the entire length is removed from the water. Allow the border to "book" for approximately 3 minutes. This will fully activate the adhesive and reduce shrinkage.
For un-pasted borders: use adhesive recommended by manufacturer, usually pre-mixed clear adhesive. Brush or roll the adhesive on the back of the border. "Book" the border every few feet. Take care to spread the adhesive evenly over the entire back, particularly at the edges.
For all borders: "Unbook" a section of your border, positioning on the wall in the desired location. Smooth with a wallpapering brush or damp sponge. Wipe any excess adhesive from front of border and surrounding wall.
To match the pattern as you hang the additional spools, lay the end of the new spool over the end of the spool on the wall until the pattern matches. Finish positioning the new border. Go back to the overlapped section and cut through both borders with your trim knife. This will create a new seam where the pattern matches.
Continue in this fashion until you are all the way around the room. Make sure to smooth and wipe excess paste from border and surrounding wall as you go.
Do I need to paste my border?
If your border is prepasted and being applied over painted drywall it is not necessary to add additional paste. If your paint is "glossy", it's a good idea to lightly sand just the area where the border is to be applied in order to create a "rougher" surface that the adhesive will be able to "bite" onto. If you are in doubt, you can always test the surface by hanging a "test sample" about a foot long, letting it dry overnight, to see if it will stick to the surface adequately.The other option is to use "vinyl-over-vinyl" adhesive, but that method makes the border extremely difficult to remove in the future!
If your border is unpasted and being applied over painted drywall, use the adhesive reccommended by the manufacturer, or "premixed heavy duty clear", you can brush or roll the adhesive on the back of the border.
If you are installing any border on top of existing wallpaper, use "vinyl-over-vinyl" adhesive to make sure the border will stick. This adhesive dries clear but shiny, so thoroughly wipe any excess with a damp sponge before the adhesive dries.
Do I need to apply wall sizing before hanging my border?
This is a tough question! If you can size just the area that the border is going to cover, then yes, you need to size. However, if you drip sizing on your freshly painted wall, you may streak your new paint job!If the wall has several coats of good quality paint, you won't get in trouble skipping the sizing. If the paint job is questionable, carefully mark with a pencil the area the border will cover and size just that area using a sponge brush, being careful not to drip on your paint!
What tools do I need?
Primer or Sizing- This helps seal the wall, giving the border better "slip and grip". When applying sizing, mark the wall where you are installing the border with a pencil. Take care to keep sizing off the rest of the wall to prevent staining.Adhesive- Most borders are prepasted and need no additional adhesive. If you are hanging an un-pasted border, follow the manufacturers instructions for type of adhesive to use, usually a pre-mixed clear adhesive. When installing borders over existing wallcovering, use a "vinyl-over-vinyl" border adhesive to make sure it will adhere. Remove any excess adhesive before it dries as it will leave a shiny residue.
Tape Measure, Yard Stick- To measure the room to determine number of spools needed. To install border at chair rail height, measure up from baseboard the desired distance making pencil marks every few feet. Follow the pencil marks with the border to keep level.
Scissors, Smoother, Trim Knife, Straight Edge- Use scissors to trim border to approximate length. Use smoother to work out air bubbles. Use trim knife and straight edge to do final trimming, make mitered corners, and join multiple spools of border.
Sponge, Water, Bucket- Use damp sponge to help smooth border, and to wipe excess adhesive from border surface and surrounding wall. Rinse sponge frequently in clean water.
Work Surface- You can use a table, counter or other clean and convenient surface for cutting, pasting, and booking borders. Wipe surface clean between each border.
