Which would be easier to do - wallpapering or plastering walls?

Question

I'm a DIY virgin, but will have a extra pair of hands to help me.

Answer 1

I believe wall papering would be the easiest however it would depend on how smooth of a finish you have on your wall. If your wall is in need of repairs I would then recommend they be made before hand and not attempt to hide them with the wallpaper of your choice.

Answer 2

I personally love wallpaper and have done all of my own for 30 years. Your walls need to be smooth and in good condition. If they aren't great you can use grass cloth to cover. The glossy papers telegraph the damage and make it show worse.

For removal, you just start the top edge and spray warm soapy water along the edge to loosen the paste. I find it easy to remove.

For a newby try a simple area like the entry wall. You can always have a mix of both.

I personally have never plastered so I can make no comment. Although I have an entry wall I might try it on.

Good Luck. Take some free classes at Home Depot.

Answer 3

Wow! In my experience plastering is Much easier in the long run. It takes longer but if the wall is damaged it needs to be done anyway.

Plastering is easy to learn. One room and you'll be moving right along. I just finished a few rooms and have a few more to go in our 102 year old lathe and plaster special. There is a ton of self help on the topic on the web and videos at the library.

Wallpaper is tough to do Well, and can be a bear to remove. The removal process can cause damage that will have you learning to plaster anyway.

Having said all that - you should do what you want. It's your house. Good luck and wear a respirator!

Answer 4

Plaster. I just pulled wallpaper off walls and painted many walls in my house and my friends. Except for a little border MAYBE, I don't think I will ever wallpaper or want wallpaper again! Paint is the way to go! Much easier and much easier to change and also easier to be creative with!

Answer 5

Since your new to both, they will both be difficult. I would suggest plastering because if you make a mistake, you can just sand it down.
Dont actually use plaster as it takes forever to sand. Use joint compound or spackle. Apply in thin smooth layers allowing time for it to dry after each layer. Then sand it smooth and paint.
Wallpaper is a little more difficult and costly. If the walls under the wallpaper arent smooth, the wallpaper is going to look like crap.

Answer 6

From my own xperience, both can be messy! But at least if you screw up a littl ewith plastering, it wont be easliy noticed. With wallpaper, you got to be persice on the measurments and make sure that there arent any bubbles or wrinkles in it. I rathe do plastering techniques any day over wallpapering. Good luck.

Answer 7

Plaster or drywall for sure. In my experience wallpaper can actual effect the marketability of your home if you were to ever sell it. You can just go over the current walls with 1/4 in drywall. Tapping and embedding may be tricky at first but you may as well learn it now. That skill will be helpfull in the future!!!!!

Answer 8

plastering is waaaaaay easier......especially for a virgin....wallpaper takes way too much time....and way too frusterating...i know ive done both...i will NEvER wallpaper ever again in my life....but love to use drywall mud aka plaster....you can make so may different designs....and use different paint techniques....or just add the paint to the plaster even better.....goooood luck

Answer 9

wall paper here is a hint,make sure your walls are smooth,wipe them down with a damp rag to remove big dirt and dust and use a sharp razor knife good prep work makes for good papering

Answer 10

plaster away! walpaper sucks...getting it on AND off! good luck :)