HANGING WALLPAPER

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31880, 7 January 1969, Page 14

HANGING WALLPAPER

As a room decoration, wall- . papers have many advantages : over other forms of treat- ■ ment, and general wearing ' qualities of papered surfaces ' are as good as those of other 1 decorative work. Wallpaper will absorb mois- . ture without, unseemly condensation marks; on old plaster surfaces the wallpaper : will act as a strengthening i agent to the crumbly wall , surface: and probably one of the greatest advantages of wallpaper is the ease and limited cost of redecoration.

The varieties of colour, texture and pattern-change which can be incorporated into any one treatment with the minimum of labour is far beyond that possible with any other means. The hanging of wallpaper is usually carried out with a pair of steps, set firmly in position and slightly to one side of where the papering is to commence. It is important that the operator has freedom to work on the surface. The paste boards should be set up in the centre of the room facing the light in order to give the operator clear vision during the matching, cutting and pasting processes. At the same time, this leaves the floor areas surrounding the walls free for the movement of steps. When ready for hanging, the pasted length should be picked up and hung over one arm for support. With the longest edge or fold nearest to the operator. When in position on the steps facing the wall surface, the pasted fold should be opened out by lifting it with the forefinger and thumb of the free hand. This action begins to expose the top pasted surface. The other hand is still supporting the paper from underneath, in the centre. As the second corner is released it is also taken between the forefinger and thumb of the other hand, which has been slid over to the edge of the paper for this purpose. The paper at this stage is supported by the balance of the fingers of both hands resting beneath the edges. This supports the paper as the fold unwinds and prevents tearing. The paper is suspended from both corners and allowed ot unfold gently, releasing the fingers from behind the paper as the weight is taken at the top corners. Care is necessary to prevent jerking, otherwise tearing will result

The paper, now suspended from the top corners by the fingers, has the paste side into the wall. It is held a few inches in front but at this stage, clear of the wall. The length of paper is then raised or lowered into position according to the height required as per the guide line, picture rails or corners. The hanging edge of the paper is then adjusted over the guide line. At this stage, the paper is brought in actual

contact by pressing the hanging edge down the plumb line and across the top of the paper.

This gives the paper temporary fixing, and frees the hand for further manipulation. At this stage the position of the paper should be checked to ensure that the hanging edge is true to the struck line. If there are any noticeable variations it would be wise to lift the paper off the surface and start again. With the hanging edge of the paper running true, the lay brush is run down the centre of the paper from the top thus giving a firm fixing. The brush should then be used working from the centre outwards, pressing down the side edges of the paper. The lower portion of the paper is held away from the wall, and the bottom fold undone.

The lay brush is then run down the centre to the bottom of the length. The outer edges brushed flat to the wall.

i At this stage, the paper i length is firmly fixed to the iwall except top and bottom, which still remain to be trimmed and pressed into position. The top edge is lifted back, then brushed back to the angle of the roof and marked with the point of a pair of scissors. The paper is then pulled away again and cut along the mark then brushed to the final position. The bottom of the paper is treated in the same manner. The second length is handled in a similar manner, with consideration also given to the match of the pattern and satisfactory joins with the previous lengths.