installing border for chair rail

[mariest]

We are installing wallpaper in a large bathroom. We are unsure of the process to apply the paper.

1. Apply the dark bottom and the lighter top at the same time in each row? Apply the border over the seam? Will the border cover the light and dark so there is no shadow?

2. Apply all the dark bottom first, then the lighter top?

3. Leave an open space to apply the border?

[Bill Archibald]

Marie,

Without seeing your papers, there is no way of telling if the darker paper will show through the border. The only way to know for sure is to hang a small sample somewhere. And let them dry before judgement.

If it does show though, I am afraid you will need to inlay the border so that no sidewall pattern is under the border. This is not an easy task for someone without appropriate experience of techniques and tools ....... and virtually impossible for me to explain via the written word.

Now, may I assume you are a homeowner working on your own home and not exceptionally experienced with installing wallcoverings? I ask because most professionals would follow a more complex procedure than a homeowner would be expected to.(Most of us, inlay borders into the sidewall patterns - this takes some practice, expertise, and pricision cutting)

If the sidewall does not show through the border, hang in any order that is most comfortable for you. Make sure where the top pattern and bottom pattern meet will be under the border. DO NOT OVERLAP that seam. If you can butt the top pattern tight against bottom pattern, that would be ideal. If you find that to be impossible, try to have less than an 1/8" gap between them. (You can always fill that gap with spackle, joint compound, or other filler and sand smooth before installing border)

Personally, I would hang all of the top pattern first, and then the bottom. .

Wait until paper is dry and install border. Be sure to use an appropriate paste. If the border is prepapasted and the other paper is vinyl coated, you will need a Vinyl over Vinyl paste or a Border Adhesive made to hang borders over wallpaper.

That's an abbreviated version. I hope it helps some.

-Bill