What is lining paper?

Dear Ethan,
lining paper is an excellent way to cover old plaster walls, creating a smooth surface that will make the result of your wallpapering project look more professional. As a matter of fact, I recommend using it in most cases. Let’s look into this topic in more detail:

What is lining paper?

Sometimes called “wallpaper liner”, lining paper is a special type of wall covering designed to prepare your wall for decorating with either wallpaper or paint. It provides an even surface, helps to conceal imperfections or cracks in the wall and ensures that the wallpaper will later stay put without peeling off over time. While lining paper is not decorative per se, it provides a vast range of benefits that, in my opinion, justify the effort and the investment.

When should I use lining paper before wallpapering?

This decision depends very much on the current conditions of your walls: if they present bumps, small cracks or any type of imperfection, just wallpapering over will not cover them effectively. These blemishes could show through the wallpaper surface and the end results might not be to your satisfaction. Even if your wall looks in good condition, lining paper will provide a smoother surface and a better finish for your wallpapering project.

Is it really worth using lining paper?

I get asked this quite often, as many people would rather skip this step and save themselves some money and work. I totally understand this, but my answer is almost invariably the same: yes, I’d recommend it.
Let’s look at some of the main benefits lining paper provides:

• It makes installing wallpaper easier
  Lining paper absorbs glue in a uniform way, letting the lengths of wallpaper stay in place more reliably. They will shrink less, reducing the risk of ending up with seam splitting issues.
• It provides a smoother surface for a professional finish
  Lining paper is designed to smooth out walls and hide imperfections. Your wallpaper will have that flat, professional finish you were looking for.
• It reduces the risk of stains
  Even if you did a thorough check of your walls beforehand, there is always the risk that at some point stains on the wall may appear on the surface. If you put up your wallpaper directly onto the wall, these substances might end up staining it. Lining paper provides a buffer between wall and wallpaper, thus reducing the chances of this happening.
• It increases the durability of your wallpaper
  Lining paper provides the ideal surface for wallpapering paste to stick to. Your wallpaper strips will stay in place and are much less likely to peel off than if applied directly to the bare wall.
• It will improve the energy efficiency of your home
  Lining paper is usually made from a mix of cotton and cellulose. The layer of air trapped between the lining paper and the wallpaper provides extra insulation as it prevents heat dispersion. This will help keeping your abode a bit warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
• It boosts sound insulation
  The thickest varieties of lining paper also provide good level of sound insulation, reducing the amount of noise penetrating through the walls. If you have loud neighbours (or you like to listen to music at high volume) it can be a welcome extra benefit.

What types of lining paper are available?

Like wallpaper backing surfaces, when it comes to lining paper there are two main varieties on the market:

• Conventional lining paper (paper made)
  Made of pure cellulose, conventional lining paper is the traditional material used by decorators like me for decades. Like paper-based wallpaper, it expands when wet and shrinks again when dry. Therefore, it needs to be soaked in adhesive for the amount of time prescribed in the instruction before it can be put up on the wall.
• “Paste the wall” lining paper (non-woven made)
  Made of non-woven fibres, “paste the wall” lining paper is more robust and durable. Its main advantage, however, is that it is much easier and faster to install. There is no soaking time as each strip can be applied in a dry state onto the pasted wall. Just add the adhesive directly to the wall and then put the paper straight onto it. It won’t shrink or expand and is less likely to form air bubbles.

There is a number of more specialist types of lining paper available on the market. Some are fireproof, others have damp protection properties or are designed for specific surfaces. If any of these specifics are amongst your requirements, I recommend to first consult a specialised contractor before embarking on the project.

What are lining paper grades?

Besides the varieties discussed above, lining paper is available in different variations of thickness or “grades”. Different grades serve different purposes; some are designed to cover hairline cracks and small imperfections while others can cover more significant imperfections. They range from 800 up to 2000. Let’s see the main difference between them:

800-1000
This is the thinnest grade lining paper, intended for walls and ceilings in good condition, like newly plastered or smooth walls. This grade requires the shortest soaking time before you can put them up on the wall.

1200-1400
The medium thickness of lining paper, these grades are suitable for rougher walls with larger cracks and imperfections, as well as older plasterwork.

1700-2000
The thickest grades of lining paper are designed for walls and ceiling with deeper cracks and older plasterwork. They are also a very good choice if you want to hide stains and add some extra insulation to walls.

Which type of lining paper should I choose?

Having examined the various types of lining paper, I can hear you say: “OK, but which lining paper should I choose for my project?”. While professional decorators have been using conventional lining paper (paper made) for decades, for most DIYers I recommend picking a “paste the wall” lining paper (non-woven made). It’s simpler to use, faster to install and it’s just much easier to get it right than with conventional lining paper. Of course, the decision ultimately comes down to your decorating experience and ability, but it’s hard to go wrong with “paste the wall” varieties. Which grade to pick depends on the condition of your wall as described above.

Should I hang the lining paper vertically or horizontally?

Many people hang lining paper vertically as one would with normal wallpaper. As this is the quickest and easiest way to hang it, I recommend this method to most DIYers. If you feel you have enough decorating experience to try something more complex, the professional approach is to hang the lining paper horizontally, which ensures that the seam on the decorative wallpaper and the lining paper don’t match up, which results in a better finish.

Shall I pick the thickest grade of lining paper for my damaged walls?

Yes, if your walls have suffered decades of wear and tear, the 2000 grade of lining paper made from pure paper pulp (avoid models containing PVC!), will provide the best possible fibre strength without impacting the breathability of the wall.
There are limits to what lining paper can achieve. If the plasterwork is crumbling, you will have to patch it up and repair it before installing lining paper. If it’s too loose and beyond help, you may need to first remove it, fill the wall with new bonding plaster, and then skim over it. As this goes beyond most DIYer skillsets, I suggest you contact a professional plasterer.

Will installing lining paper reduce the risk of seam separation?

There are few things more frustrating than finishing a wallpapering project and seeing the seams between strips opening up as the wallpaper dries. Lining paper can help with that, as it first expands slightly when you apply your wallpaper, then contracts again as the paste dries. As a result, the lengths of wallpaper remain firmly in place and the risk of seams opening is vastly reduced.

Will lining paper help with room insulation?

To some extent, high-grade lining paper can improve wall insulation properties, making it harder for heat to pass through. If you live in a cold climate and are looking for a way to keep your walls warmer, look for special thermal lining paper. While it is more expensive than standard lining paper, it can reduce the average warm-up time of your house as well as the amount of heat escaping through walls and ceilings. Please note that thermal lining paper is supplemental and not a replacement to proper wall insulation. Don’t expect miracles.

Can I paint over lining paper?

As long as you wait until your lining paper is fully dry, yes, you can paint over it. If you have just installed lining paper, then wait for at least 24 hours (48 hours if the room is cold) before you start painting. I suggest you use a high-grade lining paper (at least grade 1200) to ensure a long lifespan for the painted surface.

Can I put lining paper straight onto plasterboard?

Yes, lining paper is an excellent way to transform plasterboard into a surface that can be wallpapered or painted over. Remember that you will need to first fill in any gaps at the joints to make the surface even. Sand it down, seal it with a deep primer and wait until fully dry before hanging the lining paper.

Can I wallpaper over existing lining paper?

While it is always best to start afresh, if your existing lining paper is still in good condition, it is possible to paper over it. Perform a careful inspection beforehand. If you see corners peeling, or scratches and damages that are not merely superficial, you’re better off removing it and starting from scratch.

Your wallpaper expert
Isabel