Wallpaper glue: how to choose the best one?

When choosing wallpaper, one should not forget that wallpaper glue can show all the beauty of the canvases by fixing them securely on the wall, or say that the repair was unsuccessful and the wallpaper fell off. Foreign and domestic manufacturers offer a large selection of glue. Some formulations are applied directly to the canvas, while others are applied to the wall or ceiling. There are those that are already applied to the wallpaper, and you just need to moisten them with water to start gluing. The main thing is to choose the right glue for a particular type of wallpaper.

The adhesive mixture is a dry powder, usually white. It is diluted with water, and it becomes a viscous transparent or tinted mass. The consistency of the mass depends on the amount of added water.

Wallpaper adhesive consists of the following components:

• A base with a large mass fraction. For it, methylcellulose or modified starch is mainly used.
• Polyvinyl acetate (PVA) is a component of the mixture for vinyl sheets. It is a non-toxic, almost odorless substance that does not pose a health hazard. But at the same time it has excellent adhesive properties.
• Bactericides and fungicides are antifungal ingredients that prevent not only mold and mildew, but also insects.

People of different ages and health conditions will constantly be in the room covered with wallpaper.

That's why you need to choose a composition that meets the following conditions:

• High level of environmental friendliness and safety. The mixture must be free of toxic substances. This must be indicated on the packaging.
• The glue should dissolve evenly in the water. The diluted composition should not contain lumps.
• Modern industrial adhesives can be stored ready-made for several days in a closed container in a cool place without changing their properties.
• When buying, you need to carefully study the information on the packaging in order to better know the characteristics of a particular adhesive mixture.

• The most important is the degree of adhesion, that is, the adhesive capacity. It is distinguished as initial and final. The strength of adhesion of the compound to the surface at the moment of contact is called initial adhesion. Final adhesion is the degree of adhesion of the web to the surface after the adhesive has dried. The numerical value of this indicator on the packaging cannot be found, but there is a verbal one that speaks of high adhesive ability or good sliding after contact with the wall. Adhesive mixtures with PVA have the highest degree of adhesion, methylcellulose - medium, and modified starch - the lowest.

• The next characteristic is the compatibility of the adhesive with the wall or ceiling surface. A good manufacturer will indicate whether the adhesive is suitable for wood, concrete, plaster or metal surfaces.
• The percentage of fungicides is the third characteristic. The norm is no more than 3 percent. A larger amount is harmful to human health.
• The pH - balance of 7 is a good acid-base value. With this indicator, the wallpaper will not acquire yellow spots after drying.
• A moisture resistant composition is important for highly humid rooms.
• Hygiene, absence of toxic substances and unpleasant odor.

Each formulation has its own characteristics that affect the compatibility with the surface.

Based on these features, all species were conditionally divided into 5 groups:

• Highly specialized for inexpensive paper wallpaper. Consists of base (97-100%), fungicide and bactericide (0-3%).Gradually goes out of use due to the narrowness of the application.
• Vinyl Wallpaper Adhesive it consists of about 75% of the base, about 25% - PVA, from 0 to 3% - bactericide and fungicide. In addition to heavy vinyl canvases, it is suitable for non-woven, paper duplex, embossed paper, natural on a textile basis. The disadvantage of using for cheap types of wallpaper is the high price of glue.
• Universal wallpaper adhesive is not called that for nothing. The relatively high price and good adhesive qualities make this glue, according to manufacturers, suitable for the above. But miracles do not happen: for vinyl heavy wallpaper, it is still better to choose a special mixture.

• Adhesive for non-woven wallpaper suitable for them and paper canvases. He simply cannot cope with heavier options.
• Special mixture for fiberglass Is a dispersion composition of increased strength. This is an expensive glue, but it can be used for gluing textile, metallized, non-woven, laminated sheets. It consists of 50% base, about 50% PVA and no more than 3% fungicide and bactericide.

Compatibility of three components: wall (ceiling) surface - wallpaper - glue guarantees that the wallpaper will delight the eye with its beauty for a long time. But for this you need to get acquainted with the characteristics of the coating itself, that is, the wallpaper. This will help you better find the right combination. There are about 10 types of wallpapers. Let's dwell on the most popular ones.

These wallpapers are perhaps the most popular. As a base for vinyl, paper or non-woven is used. Vinyl is applied to them.

Depending on the method of application, wallpaper is divided into:

• Smooth - such a film resembles ceramic tile or stone, gluing is carried out on relatively flat walls without deep flaws;
• Foamed - the film is breathable, hides wall defects well;
• Solid due to a dense and rigid film that imitates natural finishing materials (stone, brick, textiles, textured plaster); such wallpapers are suitable for painting;
• Hot stamping cloths (silk-screen printing) - a thinner material, due to which all building flaws in the walls will be visible; before gluing, a backing should be made.

Vinyl wallpaper shrinks after the glue mixture dries and may form gaps. It is very important to use the correct "vinyl" glue so that the wallpaper does not fall from the weight.

The most short-lived type of wallpaper. In order to prevent wallpaper glue from showing through thin paper and leaving yellow spots, it is better to use synthetic mixtures. It is worth glueing the canvases carefully, since they get very wet from the adhesive and can break.

Non-woven is a combination of textile and cellulose fibers using a polymer like glass fiber. It is stronger than paper wallpaper, does not change its size at the time of gluing. Only the wall is covered with the adhesive, which greatly facilitates the work. But the canvas is translucent, therefore, both the wall and the ceiling must be carefully processed, and the glue must not contain undissolved lumps.

Such wallpapers will be a salvation for houses where pets or active children live: they do not show claw marks and ball or Lego hits. In addition, they are not harmed by repeated painting, which can update the interior. Such wallpaper can be used as a ceiling, because, firstly, due to a special especially strong glue, they can hold out for a long time on a horizontal surface; secondly, it is an environmentally friendly breathable version of the wall covering.

Liquid wallpaper has similar characteristics. In appearance, these are completely different materials.If a special adhesive has been created for glass-fiber wallpaper, which is applied to the wall before gluing, then dry glue is already included in the mixture of liquid wallpaper, which is mixed simultaneously with all other components.

The choice of a mixture for gluing wallpaper can be made based on personal experience, advertisements of manufacturers, advice from friends and relatives, sales consultants. When asked what advice to trust, the answer will be: everyone and no one. After all, only the one who makes the repair knows the specifics of the surface and the type of wallpaper, as well as the humidity of the room. And most importantly, what is glue for: walls, ceiling, joints, curbs.

As mentioned above, manufacturers offer different types of compositions for wallpaper canvases of different types. Here it should be added that adhesives are not only transparent, translucent, but also with a color indicator. Such a coloring pigment allows you to coat canvases and walls without missing an area. Thus, thorough coverage is guaranteed. If the glue gets on the front side through the joint, it doesn't matter, after a while the indicator becomes discolored.

The price of such a mixture is higher. She can especially help beginners. If the gluing is carried out by professionals, it is not worth spending money.

Since when gluing walls and ceilings we are talking about large wallpaper, the adhesive must ensure good adhesion. To improve this quality, heavy types of wallpaper are produced with a backing, most often of paper or non-woven fabric. But the older generation is well aware of another type of background for wallpaper - newspapers, which were used to paste over the walls. This was not an ideal solution: thin paper wallpapers showed through, printing ink showed through the canvases. It was then that the idea arose to supply the wallpaper with a special lining material.

Now manufacturers offer substrates not just for leveling walls, but also for insulating them in the process of gluing wallpaper. It is antibacterial, absorbs glue evenly, thus avoiding air bubbles. It is a sound insulating material. It is easy to cut, glue; it is not subject to decay, moisture condensation, and mold. When you change the wallpaper, the backing remains on the wall, which significantly saves money on leveling and insulating the walls.

But there is the possibility of leveling the walls before gluing the wallpaper directly with the glue itself. This is a very common technique used by professionals and DIYers. Such primers are made from a mixture of PVA and wallpaper glue. But, since many adhesives already contain PVA, there is no need to mix with anything. The mention that glue can be used as a primer must be on the packaging.

The advantage of this method is that you do not need to buy special primers, which can cost more, and even dry longer. Whether to wait for the glue primer to dry completely depends on the composition: methylcellulose does not require complete drying, the starch must dry completely.

To prime the walls and ceiling with wallpaper glue mixture, you need:

• buy glue that can also be used as a primer;
• Dilute a 250-gram pack in 5-6 liters of cold water, stirring thoroughly with a mixer;
• leave the composition for 5 minutes;
• add so much water to get the consistency of kefir (most likely, it will be a whole bucket of glue);
• with a fur roller (in the corners - with a brush), prime the surfaces of the walls and ceiling;
• leave to dry for 4 hours.

This is a special composition that is used for gluing the canvas in hard-to-reach places: corners, behind a radiator, near a window or door. It is unlike any other wallpaper glue. It has a very high hitching speed.It comes in a tube, has a dispenser and sometimes a brush for applying to surfaces that are difficult to reach with a tube.

As long as the seam adhesive is not dry, it can be easily removed with water and a cloth. Once dry, this is not possible. The usual composition near a hot battery or on a poorly primed wall can squeeze the wallpaper, and the joint seam in this place will disperse. With glue for joints, this does not happen. It is suitable for any kind of wallpaper.

The composition in the tube is already a working solution, it does not need to be diluted with water. The only danger is that in a liquid state it cannot be poured down the drain, it will harm the environment. Dry - completely safe. Many well-known companies produce joint adhesives under their own brand.

To glue the dispersed seams, you need to soak the edges of the canvases that have moved away from the surface and peel them off the wall. Apply joint adhesive, press to surface and roll for better adhesion. To enhance the effect, cardboard is applied to the joint, and the joint is heated through it with a construction hairdryer.

Wallpaper borders are often used for decoration and careful gluing of the corners between the wall and ceiling. They differ in texture and relief. And you need to use a special glue for them. It is distinguished by its density. In addition, it is quick-drying.

Borders can be glued in two ways: with a cut-in between the canvases - flush and over the wallpaper. Both methods must ensure a thorough adhesion to the surface. In the first case, the use of ordinary glue can lead to dispersed joints. In the second, with textured wallpaper, it will not stick well to them.

The shape of the border glue packages can be different. The tube is the most convenient to use.

Due to various circumstances, it becomes necessary to make wallpaper glue with your own hands. It is not so difficult to prepare such a composition, and the components are not rare. There are several ways to prepare paste.

Method one - for gluing paper, cardboard, wallpapering:

• pour warm water into a metal container and add rye or wheat flour to it (at the rate of 2 tablespoons of flour per 1 liter of water);
• Boil the paste over low heat for 5 minutes, stirring thoroughly.

Method two:

• pour water into a bucket or saucepan and gradually add flour (at the rate of 1 part flour and 3 parts water);
• stir the contents thoroughly;
• cook over very low heat, stirring constantly, until boiling;
• after boiling, strain and cool.

Method three - for walls in a room with normal humidity:

• mix 0.75 kg of potato starch and 0.2 l of denatured alcohol or wood (methyl) alcohol;
• pour 1.5 liters of water into the mixture and stir;
• add boiling water 8-9 liters;
• boil;
• in a separate container, dilute 100 g of alum (alum is sold in a pharmacy) in 0.3 liters of water;
• Combine the alum solution with the resulting mixture and stir;
• the paste is cooled and filtered.

Method three - for walls in rooms with high humidity:

• Dilute 40 g of calcium chloride (pharmaceutical preparation) in 0.6 l of water;
• boil;
• in a separate large container, mix 0.4 l of water and 0.4 kg of potato starch;
• add boiling calcium chloride here;
• heat the mixture and add 4–5 liters of hot water;
• boil for 2-3 minutes.

In Russia, people are accustomed to using adhesives from both domestic and foreign manufacturers. German Metylan (Methylane), French Quelyd (Kelid), French Kleo (Cleo), French Bostik SA (commissioned by Leroy Merlin), German UHU delight consumers with the quality of goods and a variety of products: adhesives for paintings and joints, as well as borders cause positive reviews. Also, buyers talk about the versatility of some types of compositions: they are suitable not only for gluing wallpaper, but also gluing a variety of materials. What does not always suit the consumer is the price.

One of the most popular adhesives is "Moment" (as well as Methylane, this brand belongs to Henkel). This is quality, variety, affordable price. According to reviews, the glue does not always turn out to be uniform, but at the same time, buyers appreciate it because it is stored in a liquid state for more than 10 days. This makes it possible to glue loose seams.

Of the Russian options, perhaps the most popular is Quality... This is a good modified starch glue for different types of wallpaper, including vinyl, according to customer reviews. The low price is an additional bonus to the quality.

Before buying wallpaper glue, you need to take into account the characteristics of the surfaces and the room as a whole. Knowing the temperature, humidity and quality of the primer will help you select the right mix.

Do not forget that the seller's goal is to sell the product at a higher price. And the buyers' task is to buy the right product. Therefore, it is worthwhile to carefully study the instructions on the packages and only then consult with the seller.

Store-bought starch adhesives come in two flavors: natural starch or modified starch. A composition with cheap, reliable natural starch must be boiled and waited for it to swell (3 hours). Composition with more expensive modified starch is diluted with cold water in 5–10 minutes.

Synthetic-based adhesives are not susceptible to fungal infections and mold, in contrast to natural formulations (including those produced independently).

An important principle: the heavier the wallpaper, the thicker the glue. This means that for heavy vinyl canvases you need to choose a special mixture, for light ones you can take a universal composition. If a package of special glue remains in the house from the previous renovation, it can be easily used for light wallpaper, you just need to add more water.

You will find a master class on gluing wallpaper in the next video.