Yes, you can wallpaper over plasterboard. But there are some important things to consider before starting your project to make sure you have a great result.
Wallpapering over plasterboard is a quick way to give a smart, polished look to your newly plaster boarded walls. It’s quicker than applying several coats of paint and waiting for them to dry, and is less likely to result in unwanted messes.
You should take into consideration though, that if you want a good quality finish, it is always best to skim plaster the plasterboards before wallpapering (skim plastering typically starts at around £400 for a small room) as it will provide the best surface to wallpaper onto.
When can I wallpaper over plasterboard?
First you need to assess the quality of your plasterboards.
New plasterboard should be very smooth and consistent on the surface, but if you are working with older plasterboard you may be facing some crumbling, holes, cracks or other imperfections.
Imperfections should be smoothed and strengthened with a skim coat of plaster before wallpapering can begin, or your wallpaper will not be able to adhere properly to your walls and will look bubbly and uneven when complete.
When can I wallpaper over skimmed plasterboards?
A skimmed plaster coat applied to plasterboard should be dry within 2-3 days.
A full plaster could take up to 3 weeks to fully dry.
There are several factors that can affect the optimum drying process:
- Plaster is applied wet and air dries: Consider keeping windows open to allow ventilation.
- Warmer room temperatures will speed up the drying process: Don’t be tempted to use heaters to heat the room artificially as plaster drying too rapidly may cause cracks.
- Different types of plaster will dry at different speeds: Your plasterer will be able to advise you about how long your plaster should take to dry depending on the mixture that has been used.
- Plaster changes colour as it dries: When plaster is applied it is a brown colour and will change to a more pink hue as it dries. Inconsistent patches means it hasn’t fully dried yet. You need to wait a bit longer before the wallpapering can begin.
Once any new plaster is dry, prep work can begin.
The plasterboard should be sealed with an oil based undercoat to seal the plasterboard and allow the easy removal of any wallpaper in the future, avoiding rips and damage to the plasterboard underneath.
You should also make sure the plasterboard itself (and any plaster applied to the top) is completely smooth, and sand down any imperfections.
Dust sheets should be applied and rooms should be cleared as much as possible, as with any decorating job.
Should I use lining paper before hanging wallpaper?
Lining paper is a great option for a smooth surface if you are working directly with new, unblemished plasterboard, particularly when covering any joints, edges and fillers. It can also help your paper adhere securely to your walls and provide the ultimate flat base layer.
It is advisable to use at least a skim layer of plaster on your plasterboard if you are working with any chips or imperfections in your plasterboard surface.
Can you plasterboard over wallpaper?
What about if you wish to do things the other way around?
It is generally not recommended to apply plasterboard straight onto a wallpapered surface.
Removing the paper and / or applying a skim coat of plaster will ensure that you have long-lasting, impressive wallpaper results.
Get quotes from local plasterers or decorators to help with your project.