What first wallpaper or laminate

Repairing involves carrying out high-quality finishing work to rectify any issues that have arisen in the room during its use. Conducting repair work is a challenging endeavor. Apart from meticulous planning, it also raises a multitude of other questions, such as determining what should come first – wallpaper or laminate flooring.

Repair

Wallpaper is a type of construction and finishing material that is used to cover walls and ceilings in a room. It is available in the form of a rolled-up cloth that is typically 53, 75, or 106 cm wide, and 10 or 25 m long. There are different types of wallpaper, including paper, vinyl, and fleece varieties.

Laminate is a type of flooring that is made up of a high-density wood-fiber board. It has a top layer made of a decorative and protective wear-resistant film.

Before wallpapering or laying laminate, it is important to prepare the surfaces:

1. Ensure that the floor is level, either by performing rough leveling or a clean screed.
2. Level the walls by applying plaster or putty.
3. Make sure the room is clean and dry.

It is crucial to note that surface preparation takes place during the final phase of the renovation process, specifically after the completion of remodeling, window installation, heating system installation or replacement, and other relevant tasks.

Installation of laminate flooring

Prior to installing the floor covering, it is imperative to complete all necessary preparations for the floor surface. It is not acceptable to install laminate flooring directly on bare concrete flooring; a substrate (such as cork, polyethylene foam, or polystyrene foam) must be utilized. The seams of the carpet pad should be secured with tape.

To effectively conceal the joints of the laminate flooring, it is recommended to employ the method of laying it perpendicular to the window aperture. Moreover, when installing, it is important to maintain a 1 cm gap between the wall and the outermost adjacent board. To achieve this, specialized wedges (also known as laths) can be employed to establish a fixed gap.

The laminate planks are interconnected using wedge locks or adhesive bonding. Any gaps within the laminate planks can be rectified by utilizing a bar and hammer. Once the last row is installed, the wedges can be removed.

Wallpapering

When it comes to gluing wallpaper, regardless of the type, the process is as follows:

1. Prior to gluing, it is important to treat the walls with primer and allow them to dry;
2. To place the first sheet on the wall, make use of a leveling level to locate the vertical line and mark it;
3. Ensure that the sheets are cut with a few centimeters of extra length;
4. Prepare the adhesive solution;
5. Choose to apply the glue directly on the wall or on the sheet of wallpaper;
6. Begin the process of gluing;

When it comes to modern wallpaper, the gluing process is done butt to butt.

What to do first and why

Following building codes and regulations, the room is being finished from the ceiling down. It is also important to consider the level of dust production and waste generated when selecting the appropriate method. Additionally, the order of tasks should prioritize minimizing the risk of damaging previous work, starting with the most vulnerable areas.

Considering the aforementioned requirements, the first priority in terms of finishing would be the installation of flooring. Opting for laminate flooring will prevent any potential damage to the walls, as opposed to other types of floor coverings that may require adjustments in areas where they come into contact with the walls.

Another factor to consider is that laminate flooring is sensitive to high levels of humidity. Therefore, the process of wallpapering should be carried out in a well-ventilated room. It is also important to keep the room closed until the wallpaper glue has completely dried, as this creates a greenhouse effect. Failure to do so may disrupt the structure of the laminate, leading to a decline in its overall performance.

While wallpapering, there is a great chance of staining the laminate. Because of this, during the initial room renovation, it is important to prioritize wallpapering before laying down the laminate flooring.

Can it be done the other way around

There are no restrictions, just suggestions regarding the order of gluing or laying. Additionally, the lifespan of laminate flooring far exceeds that of wallpaper. Certain types of laminate can last up to 25 years. However, whenever you decide to revamp your room’s design, you’ll need to replace the wallpaper if the flooring has been installed.

To maintain the integrity of the floor covering during wallpapering, it is essential to utilize a polyethylene film or another type of flooring that provides protection.

Tip: Ensure the film remains intact to prevent any damage or contamination to the laminate. Use stepladders and other construction equipment with rubberized and smooth feet.

In any scenario, changing the interior by replacing wallpaper proves to be both cost-effective and expedient compared to replacing the laminate. However, it is important to carry out preparatory work meticulously to safeguard the laminate. Shield the flooring from water.

After wallpapering, allow it to dry while covering the floor with the film. Once the adhesive is completely dry, be sure to ventilate the room, as this will help eliminate excess moisture.