Decorating your home should be a joy, not a worry. But if you're an interior design enthusiast or a homeowner considering peel and stick wallpaper, you may be wondering about few questions: Does the stick wallpaper damage walls? Will my removable wallpaper ruin walls? Is the peel and stick wallpaper glue safe? Maybe better stick to the traditional wallpaper or vinyl wallpaper? Is the peel and stick strippable wallpaper? How hard is the application process and how hard will be the process of removing the wallpaper, will it be an easy removal? Will the peel and stick wallpaper ruin walls and is the wall paint better? This blog post dives deep into the impact of peel and stick wallpaper on various areas, with practical tips and experience, real-life examples, reasons, and best practices to ensure your walls stay pristine.
Does Peel and Stick Wallpaper Damage Walls?
In most cases, removable wallpapers like the peel and stick wallpapers does not harm walls if applied and removed correctly. However, understand that depending of specific wallpaper type and finishes the process should be differently, so it doesn't lead to possibility of potential issues, so keep all the factors in mind.
Wall Types
Smooth Walls
Smooth surface are generally ideal for self adhesive stick wallpaper. The glue will bond well, creating a seamless look. However, even smooth walls should be non sticky, dry, clean, free of dust or grease (if we are thinking about kitchens, for example) to ensure the peel and stick removable wallpaper sticks properly. If the base is prepped correctly, you don't have a reason to worry about issues during removal.
Textured Walls
Unfinished Drywall
Unfinished or painted drywall is particularly vulnerable. The glue can seep into the porous material, making removal tricky. The removable wallpaper may pull off layers of the drywall, leaving a rough, uneven surface. It's generally not recommended to apply peel and stick removable wallpaper to unfinished drywall room.
Removal Process
How to Safely Remove Peel and Stick Removable Wallpaper
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Peel Gently: Simply choose a corner and slowly peel back the paper strip at a 45-degree angle one strip at a time. If you try to remove the peel and stick wallpaper off too quickly it can harm the wall exterior, causing unsightly tear, marks, peels or even stripping away paint. Take your time and peel slowly to ensure a smooth, damage-free removal process. Using gentle, even pressure will help preserve the integrity of the wall and keep it looking its best.
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Heat the Adhesives: We recommend to use a hairdryer to warm the glue if you encounter peel resistance. This process loosens the glue, which makes it significantly easier to peel off the stick wallpapers without causing any harm to the underlying wall and wallpaper damage. By softening the fixative, you are ready to finally easy get rid of large sections of paper more efficiently and with less effort, preserving the integrity of the smooth surface underneath while removing wallpaper.
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Clean Residue: Get rid of any leftover fixative with a mild soap and hot water solution. This technique should easily help dissolve the residue without causing any damage or tear to the wall. It's important to avoid harsh chemicals or bringing abrasive materials, as they could further become damaging to the wall exterior and potentially affect the paint. If the residue is particularly stubborn, you might need to repeat the cleaning process a few times until it's fully gone.
Impact on Various Wall Finishes
How Different Finishes React
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Painted Walls: Peel and stick wallpaper is generally safe for freshly painted wall with flat paint or matte finish wall if the paint is fully cured, which usually takes about two weeks. However, it may pull off weak paint, potentially damaging the wall's exterior. To avoid any issues, it's essential to carefully test and cover a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure that all the wallpaper adheres the right way and can be removed without causing problems. Additionally, make sure the wall is clean and free of dust or debris before applying the wallpaper designs for optimal results.
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Wallpapered Walls: The idea to hang peel and stick wallpaper over existing regular wallpaper can be tricky. It may damage the layers underneath, especially if the installed wallpaper is old or already peeling. The fixative on the peel and stick wallpaper may not adhere accurately to the old exterior, leading to bubbles or uneven application. We recommend to get rid of the existing room wallpaper first to ensure a smooth and long-lasting durability.
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Other Finishes: For other finishes, it's crucial to test a small area for compatibility. Some materials may react adversely to the fixative, leading to problems upon removal. This preliminary test helps ensure that the adhesives won't cause discoloration or other forms of issues. Taking this precautionary step can prevent costly repairs, maintain the integrity of the paper material and minimise the risk of wall damage.
When peel and stick wallpaper can damage walls?
Weak or Flaky Paint
If your walls have weak or flaky paint, the glue may pull off chunks of paint when removed, leaving behind unsightly patches. This can result in your walls looking patchy and damaged, potentially requiring additional paint touch-ups or a complete repaint to restore their original appearance. Careful preparing and priming your walls before applying adhesives can help prevent this issue and easily maintain a smooth result so there is no wallpaper damage.
Poor Exterior Preparation
Failing to clean and prep the exterior properly can lead to adhesive issues, causing the wallpaper to peel off and take parts of the wall with it. This can result in not only a messy appearance but also potential damage to the wall itself. Improper preparation can cause bubbles and wrinkles in the wallpaper, making the final result peel of, look unprofessional and requiring more time and effort to fix. Therefore, taking the time to thoroughly clean and prep the surface is crucial for a durable and aesthetically pleasing wallpaper application.
Textured or Porous Exterior
Textured or porous surfaces like unfinished drywall are more susceptible to damage. The painting can seep into the material, making it hard to remove without causing harm. This can result in peeling, tearing, or even chunks of the surface being pulled away. The adhesive residue left behind can be challenging to clean and peel, potentially requiring specialized tools or cleaners to fully restore the exterior.
Wrap-Up
Peel and stick wallpaper layer offers a convenient and stylish way to refresh your home decor, making it an ideal choice for renters and homeowners looking for a quick update. However, as mentioned above for best possible results it's essential to consider the type of wall surface and peel finish before application. Some surfaces, like walls with texture or those with a glossy finish, may require additional preparation to ensure the wallpaper adheres properly. By following best practices for application, such as cleaning the wall thoroughly and allowing it to dry completely, and taking care during removing the wallpaper, you can minimize the risk of damage and even be damage free. Also, remember that there are other types of wallpapers, such as traditional and vinyl wallpapers, that would also be a good choice if you are looking to change your interior.
