Reasons to Use Lining Paper (Blankstock) when installing Wallcoverings

The majority of people are unaware of all of the benefits of using lining paper when hanging wallpaper – when paperhangers push to have a liner installed it’s not because they are trying to pad the bill, it’s the only way to fully guarantee the job against a wallpaper failure beyond their control.  The majority of wallpaper manufacturers call for it in their hanging instructions and will not warranty their product if it is not used. These are several reasons why lining paper should be used and why we only guarantee our work if lining paper is installed.

Smooth Finish

The most common reason for using lining paper is to smooth out the wall. This is important in order to get a good flat finish on your walls. A thin lining paper can be used to disguise any hairline cracks in the wall’s plastering whilst thicker grade lining papers can be used to help cover pitting and more noticeable plastering imperfections.

Reducing Shrinkage

Some wallpapers, especially woven ones, tend to expand when wet and shrink when dry. This can leave gaps between sheets of wallpaper even if you have taken every care not to let this happen whilst hanging the paper. By using lining paper you are actually helping with the drying process which in turn holds the wallpaper in its expanded shape as required for a better looking finish.

Reducing Staining

There are two ways in which staining might occur to your wallpaper. Firstly substances on the wall itself might leach into the wallpaper once hung and cause staining. The use of lining paper eliminates this risk as the wallpaper itself is not in direct contact with the wall. Secondly, when the paste is applied to some wallpaper the added moisture can cause colours to bleed or run. As lining paper speeds up the drying process it can help to reduce this issue.

Durability

Pulp papers expand when wet and exert a shrink tension on the wall as they dry. If they are hung on a wall that has a layer of cheap paint on it (or even a wall with a bad coat of paint several layers beneath the current one) the tension can slowly pull the bad layer off and pop the seams. Lining paper acts as a surface strengthener since the pulp paper on top bonds to the lining paper below to form an extremely strong lamination. Therefore by using lining paper your wallpaper will have increased durability and is much more likely to stay in place.