Installation Supplies

    For the Love of Wallpaper™ can provide you with the best of everything wallcovering, including wallpaper, borders and murals from the United States and around the world, the best customer service, the best wallcovering shopping experience, the best wallpaper installation instruction and the best wallpaper supplies.

    Below is a listing of the some of the wallpaper installation supplies you may want to consider purchasing to ensure a perfect wallpaper/border/mural installation. We have a full supply of these items in a variety of materials and at different price points, all at discounted prices.

    Wallpaper Supplies

    • Trays
    • Roller Covers
    • Sizing Products
    • Plastic Smoothers
    • Snap off Cutters with replacement blades
    • Scissors–long and sharp
    • Levels
    • Sponges
    • Plum Lines
    • Adhesives
    • Primer/Sealers
    • Seam Adhesives and Repair Kits
    • Vinyl Over Vinyl Adhesives
    • Border Over Paint Adhesives
    • Activators
    • Drop Cloths
    • Brushes
    • Wall Liner
    • Yardsticks
    • Spackle
    • Putty Knives and Scrapers
    • Seam Rollers
    • Knowledge
    • Patience

    Current advances in wallpaper design and construction make it really easy to change the look of your walls as often as you wish with a minimum of effort. However, to get the very best bonding of paper to the surface it is important to use the proper adhesive. We offer a range of different options suited for specific installations.

    A few terms commonly used to describe wallpaper hanging products are Sizing, Adhesives, Activators etc. Below is a brief definition of each product followed by a detailed description of the preferred installation method.

    Sizing:

    Sizing is an often misunderstood term which is a throwback to the initial days of the wallpaper industry when walls were primarily plaster in composition and wallpapers were constructed of different substrates. Sizing was a substance designed to be put on the wall to test for wallpaper readiness. If brown spots appeared it was an indication the plaster wall had not completely cured.

    Today, walls are made of drywall and if plaster is used, it has a different composition from the product of years ago. Therefore, Sizing, as previously defined, is no longer necessary. Although the term is still in current use, it now refers to a product to be applied to the wall before hanging a pre-pasted wallpaper.

    Adhesives:

    A class of products that assist with the application of wallpaper to wall surfaces. There are three primary types of Adhesives: Activator, Dry Adhesives (Powder) and Pre-Mixed Adhesives. Each category is designed for specific projects and offers its own advantages.

    Activator:

    A wetting agent with a small concentration of adhesive that is used on pre-pasted wallpaper. It is tempting to use a water box with pre-pasted wallpaper as this has been the method of preparing pre-pasted paper for many years. But now, Activator is preferred over the use of a water box because it gives wallpaper the adequate amount of time to expand and become stable.

    Activator is designed for use with pre-pasted wallpaper. It is not required for the installation of borders.

    Some common manufacturer names for Activator products are Roman, Gardner-Gibson and Zinsser. The price range for Activators is $13-20/gallon.

    Dry Adhesive Powders:

    Powders are used with non-pasted wallcoverings. There are two types of Powders: Wheat Based and Cellulose. Powders are mixed with water and are less expensive than pre-mixed adhesives. For example, an 8-oz. box of powder can be purchased for under $10.

    Wheat-Based Powder:

    Not to be used behind vinyl wallcovering or other non-porous materials. Only to be used with wallpapers or other porous materials.

    Cellulose Powder:

    To be used with light-weight vinyl wallcovering.

    Pre-Mixed Adhesive:

    Typically used with non-pasted wallcoverings. Offers a stronger bond than powders. There are two categories of Pre-Mixed Adhesive: Clear and Clay-based.

    Clear
    Non-staining. To be used with lightweight and heavier vinyls.

    Clay-based
    Much stronger. To be used with heavyweight wallcovering materials.

    The price range for Pre-mixed Adhesives of both varieties is in the range of $15-20/gallon.
    Wallpaper tools

    At For the Love of Wallpaper™, we want to make certain every installation is perfectly planned and executed. Our more than 100 years of experience have prepared us to provide you with the best advice on wallpaper installation techniques. We know what is a tried and true method and what does not work. We have led workshops on installation techniques and spend a lot of face time with customers detailing the best methods for getting the very best wallpaper, border or mural installation.

    Primer/Sealer is a very important part of the installation process.

    Primer/Sealer refers to a base coating designed for use under wallcovering to seal porous surfaces prior to hanging. It helps the wallcovering adhere by blocking the wall's capacity to absorb moisture from the paste. It makes hanging and removing easier.

    We always recommend hanging over a well primed surface. Use a primer–sealer formulated especially for wallcovering.

    There are three types of Primers:

    Oil-based Primer
    Is a very good choice because it dries more slowly and allows for a thicker millage or surface coating to build up.

    Acrylic Primer
    Dries faster than other Primers. A good Acrylic Primer helps minimize porosity.

    Alcohol-based Primer
    Factories discourage use of this Primer under wallcovering because the liquid in the adhesive that is being applied to the wallcovering might react adversely to the shellac base in the alcohol-based Primer.