Wallpapering the ceiling how to do it ?
Wallpapering ceilings is not as difficult as it seems Thanks to a correctly positioned scaffolding and the use of appropriate techniques, it is not a job more complicated than wallpapering.
Success in wallpapering ceilings largely depends on the preparation of the work front and good work organization. Gather all the necessary materials before starting work.
The first step is to establish a direction, in which the wallpapers will be sticked. Based on this, we will calculate, how many sheets can be cut from one roll. The standard length of a sheet in a roll is 35,5 m, and the width 53 cm. Thick wallpapers have a length 17 m. To calculate the number of rolls of wallpaper needed, we measure the length of all walls (without taking into account performances, like for example. chimney walls). We add up all the measured lengths together using the table below, we calculate the necessary number of rolls.
Materials
All kinds of wallpaper, which are suitable for covering walls, they are also suitable for wallpapering ceilings. If we decided on paper wallpapers with a convex texture, we should know, that they should be painted with at least one coat of emulsion paint, because they get dirty very easily. We paint deep embossed wallpapers twice. Different types of adhesives are used for different wallpapers, information on the selection of the best glue for the selected wallpaper I can be obtained from the seller.
Before starting wallpapering, the ceiling should be primed, to make it stand; become less porous. Usually, diluted wallpaper glue is used for this purpose. Only dextrin-containing adhesives require a special primer.
Paper backing
Sticking a special backing of paper sheets is not necessary, however, a well-adhered underlay across the right layer of wallpaper prevents any gaps between the sheets of the right layer from becoming visible. This is especially true of embossed wallpapers. They tend to shrink as the glue dries.
An additional advantage of using a primer is the fact, that it absorbs glue better than plaster, making it easier to stick the wallpaper.
Tiling the ceiling
Whether, whether we will use a paper backing, or not, the ceiling must be carefully cleaned of the peeling paint residues, to keep it perfectly clean. Coats of old glossy paint are needed
sand with sandpaper, and I will fill any cracks,putty for plasters. Any old wallpaper should be torn off completely, that the surface of the ceiling is as smooth as possible.
Where to start
We try to follow the general rule, which says, that the wallpaper should be glued with light sources. This prevents shadows on the sheet joints. If there are windows on both opposite walls, the place where you start wallpapering is not important. In the case of a bay window, glue the first sheet across the bay window, where it touches the ceiling. Glue the next sheets towards the window.
Before starting work, all materials and tools must be disassembled like this, so that they are within easy reach. It is very important to prepare the right scaffolding.
Scaffolding
Any makeshift scaffolding is dangerous. It is best to use two spaced ladders and a wide strong plank. So that you do not have to constantly go up and down the scaffolding, the board should be as long as possible.
Always pay attention to safety when working, and haste can cause accidents. The height of the scaffolding should be adjusted to the work, so that you do not have to bend down or reach too high during it. When standing on the board, We touch the ceiling with our whole hand, means, that the height of the scaffolding is appropriate.
Determining the reference line
Place the scaffolding along the model line drawn with chalk, which defines an outer edge side of the first wallpaper sheet. We determine the position of this line by subtracting 1 cm from the width of the sheet. This deducted centimeter is a reserve to cover any unevenness at the interface between the wall and the ceiling. We measure the calculated dimension from the wall and mark it on the ceiling in places, where the start and end of the sheet will be located..
Then, in one of the designated points, stick a pin with the end of the string tied. Carefully rub the string with colored chalk, we pull and hook in a similar way in the second designated point. In the middle of its length, pull it back and let it go vigorously, so that the chalk is reflected on the ceiling. The line obtained is the reference line, along which we glue the first sheet of wallpaper along with the reserve next to the wall.
In order not to interrupt your work every now and then, it is convenient to prepare several cut sheets. The first sheet must be carefully measured, adding 10 cm spare. We can measure the next sheets according to the first one. Put the cut sheets on a large plate or table covered with foil and newspapers, right side down.
Applying glue
We spread the wallpaper sheet on the table in this way, that one end protrudes from the table to a length of approx 1 cm. This arrangement will prevent the table of sheets from getting dirty with glue.
Big, With a well-soaked brush, apply glue to the center of the sheet. The bigger the brush, the faster the glue will be spread, which will prevent it from drying out before we stick the wallpaper to the substrate. Starting with the protruding plant, we spread the glue with oblique movements from the center of the sheet to the outside. So as not to miss a place, it is good to apply the glue in cross movements. We gradually push the sheet until we get to the beginning, leaving the protruding part of the width 1 cm.
Folding the sheet
When the entire surface of the sheet is evenly smeared with glue, we can prepare it to stick on the ceiling. To do this, we lift the end of the sheet in length 30 cm and fold them together with the sides smeared with glue. Then we grab the stuck overlap and fold the next ones together again 30 cm of smeared sheet. We do so, until we fold the whole sheet into an accordion. This will allow such a stretch of wallpaper to unfold, which we can stick to the ceiling at one time.
Before we get the wallpaper onto the scaffolding, let's make sure, that we have a wallpaper smoothing brush and sharp scissors in our coverall or apron pocket.
Sticking the sheet
Place the folded wallpaper on a stick or a cardboard tube. This will allow us to keep the wallpaper close to and parallel to the ceiling, if we are right-handed, we grab the stick with our right hand, and we hold the harmonica with our thumb, leaving the first plant loose.
Unroll the plant and stick it to the ceiling along the chalk line. Smooth out the glued section of the sheet, pulling the brush from the center of the sheet towards the edge. Thus, we remove air bubbles from under the wallpaper.
Once we are sure, that the first lap has been taped flush along the line, we roll out the next one and smooth it in the same way. Any corrections to the position of the wallpaper should be corrected with the whole hand, not with your fingers, as it may tear wet paper.
After sticking a few laps, we position ourselves like this, to have the roll with the wallpaper in front of you. Then we move slowly forward, unfolding more plants and sticking them to the ceiling.
We do this until we glue the entire sheet. Now we can cut off the stocks left at the ends of the sheet. If the wall will also be papered, we leave a stock on it 5-10 mm. If the wallpaper will merge with the existing one on the wall, it must be folded along the contact line and cut off.
Glue the next sheets of wallpaper in the manner described above, treating the side of the previous one, sheet as a line to pay attention to, so that the sheets do not overlap, but they were only pressed tightly together.
So that the gluing is done carefully, and the edges of the sheets are well glued, you must use a joint roller. When the glue dries (i.e.. after about four sheets), press the roll to connect the edges of the wallpaper.
Embossed wallpapers and wallpapers with a raised pattern should not be pressed down with a roll, so as not to destroy the original invoice. In this case, press the joints of the sheets with the sharp edge of the roll.