The best thing about using wallcoverings instead of standard wallpaper is the choice of materials. If you want to give your room a more natural and fresh look, grass cloth wallcovering might just be what you need. Grass cloth is a fine, very light cloth that resembles linen closely. This type of cloth is woven from the fibers taken from the inner bark of the ramie, silk, jute or hemp plant. In some cases, actual grass is also used in the manufacturing process. It is a common fabric used in the manufacture of wallcoverings and provides a much textured look to the room it is hung in. Customers can choose from coarse or fine design styles. However, the process of hanging natural grass cloth wallcovering is different. Because of the use of natural materials that are processed almost completely by hand, different adhesives are used to hang the grass cloth wallcovering. Here’s a step by step guide to help you:
1. Prepare the Wallcovering
Grass cloth wallcovering comes in bundles, or rolls. Check each roll to ensure that it is how you ordered it. Obviously, since most of it is woven by hand and is made of natural materials only, there will be certain imperfections and shades of color in the wallcovering. You will then need to cut the rolls accordingly so that they will overlap in a proper manner. It is usually wise to hire a professional for cutting the wallcovering in matching strips.
2. Prepare the Wall
The next step is to prepare the wall. Before you apply the wallcover, make sure the wall is completely clean, dry and smooth on the surface. The wallcover will not stick to walls that have grease, dirt or soap residue. Use household detergents in order to clean the walls thoroughly and let them dry. In case of uneven surfaces, use a 120- grit sandpaper to sand the walls thoroughly.
If the walls are new or unpainted, it is always wise to apply a single coat of pigmented sealer first. Then, apply a coat of wallcovering prior. Make sure that the wallcovering primer is applied before installation. This will create an even surface so that the wallcovering can hang firmly on the walls. Let the surface dry for 24 hours.
3. Hang the Wallcovering
To hang grass cloth wallcovering, it is recommended that you use a clear vinyl adhesive that has low water content. Make sure you choose a non- staining adhesive. To prevent stains, take care that the adhesive does not get on the front surface of the wallcovering. It is usually wise to test the adhesive on a small area before applying it on the whole wallcover.
