Can I wallpaper over glass?

Dear Linda,
Installing wallpaper on glass or mirror surfaces is certainly doable. However, there are a few significant differences to your standard wallpapering process. Let’s take a look at this in detail:

Can I hang wallpaper on glass surfaces or mirrors?

You certainly can! There are different ways to achieve this, depending on whether you want to be able to remove the wallpaper at a later stage or you plan for it to be permanent.

Temporary solutions

If you want to be able to easily remove the wallpaper some time in the future without leaving any glue residue (very important if the glass in question is transparent) you have two options:

• Use double-sided tape
  Apply double-sided tape to the four edges of the glass surface to be wallpapered. Press the wallpaper length on from the top, then via the sides and middle to the bottom. Always check for creases and air bubbles and keep smoothing them out. For good results, I recommend that you work with at least one other person, especially when it comes to bigger areas. It is a good idea to apply a strip of sticky tape in the middle for extra stability when working on large areas.
• Use peel & stick wallpaper
  One of the newest wallpaper types to enter the market, peel-and-stick wallpaper comes with a self-adhesive backing that adheres to most surfaces, including glass. It does not require any additional wallpapering paste to stick to a surface and can be gently peeled off once it is no longer needed. Remember to clean the surface beforehand with a glass detergent to remove any traces of dirt or grease and guarantee a good seal.

Permanent solutions

If you are sure you want to wallpaper a glass surface for good, you need to follow these steps:

1. Clean the glass surface before wallpapering
   Dirt and grease are the enemies of a good wallpapering result. Use isopropyl alcohol or a glass detergent to carefully clean the surface. Allow for enough time to dry.
2. Apply lining paper (optional)
   If you need to install wallpaper on non-contiguous glass walls (for example if there is a joint between the panes), using lining paper is a good idea as it will help to bridge the gaps.
3. Apply plastic dispersion adhesive
   For a glass surface, your standard wallpapering paste just won’t do. You need something stronger, a product with greater adhesive strength. Dispersion adhesives are the solution: they are ready-to-use plastic or synthetic resin-based glues designed to stick to almost anything, including non-porous surfaces. Regardless of the material your wallpaper is made of, you can either paste the glass surface or the wallpaper strip. Both options will work fine.

Remember that once installed with this method, you will not be able to remove the wallpaper from the surface.

If you plan to change the wallpaper in the future

If you prefer a traditional installation method but want to keep the option to later use a new patterned model open, you will have to prepare the glass surface with a suitable primer. Since the wallpaper sticks to the primer and not the glass, you will be able to remove it and install a new one when you feel it’s time for a fresh look:

1. Clean the glass surface before wallpapering
   Like we suggested above, use isopropyl alcohol or a glass detergent to carefully clean the surface. Allow for enough time to dry.
2. Choose the right primer
   When wallpapering a glass surface, choosing the right wallpaper primer is extremely important. Glass and mirrors are very smooth and non-porous surfaces that do not absorb liquids. This makes it difficult for wallpaper to adhere securely and a standard wallpaper primer won’t work. You need a primer that is specially formulated for non-porous surfaces.
3. Apply the primer
   Using a brush or paint roller, cover the entire surface with the primer. Make sure the room temperature is not too cold, it should be at least 16-18C (over 60 F). Remove excess primer and allow it to dry for at least twelve hours.
4. Apply lining paper (optional)
   If you need to install wallpaper on non-contiguous glass walls (for example if there is a joint between the panes), using lining paper is a good idea as it will help to bridge the gaps.
5. Apply standard wallpapering paste (not dispersion paste)
   From here on, the wallpapering process is similar to that for a standard wall. Depending on the type of wallpaper you want to install (paper-based or non-woven) you will either soak the strip in wallpapering paste for the required time or apply adhesive directly to the wall.

Please note that you will need to soak the surface in water before starting the removal process at a later date. This method allows you to replace the wallpaper with a new model, but not to return the glass to its original transparent conditions, as the primer will still be in place.

How long the process will take depends on the size of the glass area to be wallpapered. For instance: A mirror on a wardrobe door will take considerably less time than an entire wall.

Your wallpaper expert
Isabel