Installation & Removal
Our media behaves like what it is — paper and nonwoven, not vinyl. That makes installation straightforward and removal noticeably cleaner, provided the wall is prepared properly.
These notes are general good practice. Always follow the guidance issued with the specific product, and test on a small area first.
Preparing the wall
Step 1
Identify the wall
New plaster, old emulsion, lining paper and previously papered walls all behave differently. New plaster needs to be fully dry and sealed before anything goes on it.
Step 2
Clean and fill
Remove dust, grease and any loose paint. Fill and sand so the surface is flat — printed media follows the wall it is on, and side lighting will find every ridge.
Step 3
Seal where needed
A suitable primer or sealer gives a consistent, non-absorbent surface. This is what makes later removal clean rather than destructive.
Step 4
Set a true vertical
Plumb a line for the first drop rather than trusting a corner. Everything after the first panel inherits its alignment.
Step 5
Acclimatise the material
Bring rolls into the room and let them reach room temperature and humidity before hanging.
Hanging, by finish
Peel and stick
- Peel back a hand's width of liner from the top, position, then work down the panel.
- Squeegee from the centre out with overlapping strokes to push air to the edges.
- Lift and re-set to correct alignment while the panel is still fresh.
- Trim at skirting and cornice with a fresh blade and a straight edge for each cut.
Clay-coated (pasted)
- Follow the paste type and booking time recommended for the material.
- Keep paste off the printed face; wipe immediately with a clean damp sponge if it transfers.
- Butt seams — do not overlap coated papers — and roll seams lightly rather than pressing hard.
- Keep a consistent wet edge and work in one direction across the wall.
Smooth, nonwoven
- Paste the wall rather than the material where the product allows it — faster and cleaner.
- Nonwoven is dimensionally stable, so panels can be hung without soaking time.
- Smooth with a plastic spatula, not a brush, to avoid marking the print.
- For removal, lift a corner and pull steadily at a shallow angle; the sheet is designed to come away in whole panels.
Taking it down again
Removal is where PVC-free media earns its place on a specification, because refresh cost is part of the purchase.
- Work at a shallow angle and steadily — speed is what damages paint, not force.
- Warm a panel slightly in a cold space before lifting.
- Because there is no PVC in the sheet, there are no PVC plasticisers to leave a residue behind on the wall.
- Keep removed panels flat and stacked if anything is being reused.
- Paper-based and nonwoven material goes into the paper and board waste stream your contractor already collects.
Related articles
- DeCora™ Peel & Stik Residential Wallcover - Installation recommendations and suggestions
Recommendations and suggestions presented as a guide to assist in the installation of DeCoraTM - Clay Coated Wallcover
- DeCora™ Clay Coated Residential Wallcover - Installation recommendations and suggestions
Recommendations and suggestions presented as a guide to assist in the installation of DeCoraTM - Clay Coated Wallcover.
Speak with Our Team
Tell us about your project and we will contact you within 3-4 business days.