Established in 2012
Established in 2012
If you are feeling creative with your wallpaper application and wondering what surfaces wallpaper can be stuck to we will answer that question for you. Maybe you have a surface such as laminate, glass, metal or timber to cover. This question may arise at times like a walk in robe getting a makeover or furniture upcycling.
Some up and coming clever wallpaper trends are to create a hidden door and the back face of a shelving unit.
So while it’s fantastic to think outside the box with your interior designing you need to ensure the idea will work beforehand to avoid disappointment. To answer any questions you might have surrounding how wallpaper sticks and what it can stick to, read on.
An often asked question is can wallpaper can be stuck to doors? If they are flat wooden doors doors the answer is yes. But any shiny surfaces such as laminate, metal or glass are not porous and so when wallpaper paste is applied it does not have anything to adhere to and can’t dry. Therefore the wallpaper will literally slide off the surface!
Are you questioning if there is any way you can make this work? The answer is yes as long as you prep correctly first. To begin the surface must first be primed with an appropriate sealer. You would then apply your wallpaper as the final step.
Alternatively if you want us to install we can use a professional extra tack glue which allows us to install to most surfaces.
But if you want to skip this extra step altogether; a sticker style wallpaper will be the right product to use. Peel and stick products can be applied directly onto laminates, glass etc.
The ideal surface to apply wallpaper to is timber or MDF. But first you must prime the surface with a sealer coat, if it doesn’t already have one. Here a water based undercoat is recommended in most cases. Do not use oil based or gloss paint.
A great tip for you is; if you have a dark wallpaper consider painting surface with a darker colour. And vice versa for lighter colour wallpaper.
Another pro tip is ensuring the surface is sanded, filled and prepped. This ensures a smooth finish for the wallpaper which is super important. It is a bit of a myth that wallpaper covers all imperfections and often the opposite is true!
Any wood veneers cannot be sanded as this would damage the surface. However when planning to use wallpaper on this type of surface, as above, they first have to be pre-treated by applying the correct primer.
If you still have some unanswered queries we are always here to answer any them. We are also available to send you a quote to complete your wallpapering project professionally if you are based in Brisbane.
1. Can I stick wallpaper on any surface?
No, traditional wallpaper paste only works on porous surfaces like plasterboard or MDF. It won’t adhere to non-porous materials like laminate, metal, or glass. For those surfaces, use the recommended primer or choose peel-and-stick wallpaper.
2. What’s the best surface to apply wallpaper to?
The best surface is a flat, smooth and porous one such as painted plasterboard. Sand and prime the surface beforehand.
3. I’ve got a wood veneer. Can I wallpaper that?
Yes, you can wallpaper over a wood veneer. However, do not sand it. Instead, apply a suitable primer or sealer to allow the wallpaper paste adhere properly.
4. Why does wallpaper sometimes fail to stick?
Wallpaper will fail to stick when the surface is non-porous. Like a veneer, laminate or glass. Without porosity, the paste doesn’t bond causing the wallpaper to slide off. Proper surface prep, using an extra tack glue or using peel-and-stick wallpaper can prevent this issue.
5. What’s the recommended prep process for MDF?
Sand the surface to make it smooth and fill in any imperfections.
Apply a water-based undercoat (avoid oil-based or glossy finishes)
6. Any tips from the pros?Correct preparation is key. Even minor imperfections can show through unless a thick vinyl is used.
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