Essential Tools for Installing Wallcovering

Learning how to install wallcovering can be highly rewarding, but it’s important to understand that you need to do more than just memorize the steps involved in hanging wallpaper—you also need the correct tools and accessories to ensure a smooth application. This is true whether you’re an experienced professional or a DIY enthusiast. 

With that in mind, the ROMAN team offers the following guide that covers the fundamental tools needed to achieve a flawless installation.

Tools for Pros and DIYers Alike

This section outlines the fundamental installation tools that can be used by both pros and DIYers. In some cases, we recommend specific products from other top brands, such as KLASS (formerly Kyokuto), a leading Japanese manufacturer of wallcovering tools.

Primer

Before applying adhesive to your wall you should always use a wallcovering primer to ensure best results. The type of primer you should use depends on the type of surface you have, but you can always find a suitable choice in the ROMAN Products selection of wallpaper primers. Whether you have a porous or non-porous surface, we have a primer that can get the job done. 

Adhesive

With your surface cleaned, primed, and marked for your layout, it is time to apply the adhesive. As with primers, the choice of adhesive depends on the nature of your wallpaper installation. ROMAN Products carries adhesives for every type of wallpaper, including vinyl, non-woven, grasscloth, and more. ROMAN PRO-880 is widely considered the best wallpaper adhesive on the market. It is in fact North America’s best-selling wallcovering adhesive.

Step Ladder

A step ladder allows you to reach higher areas with ease. Podium ladders, in particular, offer a stable and roomy platform that makes it easier to maneuver large sheets of wallpaper. For example, the Werner podium ladder features a large standing platform that feels more like a standing deck.

Level & Tape Measure

Accurate measurements are highly important in a wallcovering installation. A tape measure is used to layout the room and ensure each strip of wallpaper is cut to the correct length. Levels are essential for ensuring that your wallpaper is applied straight; these include spirit and laser levels.

Spirit Level: This simple and inexpensive tool is used in conjunction with a pencil to map out a room and mark your starting line for wallpaper. It ensures horizontal lines are level and vertical lines are plumb.

Laser Level: A more advanced option, a laser level projects a precise line across the wall, allowing you to create plumb lines faster and with greater accuracy than a spirit level can.

Snap-Blade Knife

A snap-blade knife is the preferred cutting tool for wallpaper installation, and it is mainly used for trimming wallpaper along ceilings, floors, and around obstacles. The ability to snap off the blade ensures a constantly sharp edge, which reduces the risk of tearing the wallpaper. Olfa snap-blade knives are highly recommended for their durability and ease of use.

Note on knives: While utility knives (sometimes called Stanley knives) and X-acto knives are sometimes mentioned in guides, they are not recommended for wallpaper. Utility knives can be too bulky for precise trimming, and X-acto knives can be hard to keep steady. Also, changing blades on these knives can be cumbersome. For wallpaper, clean cuts are vital, and frequently changing blades is essential to maintain a smooth edge.

Scissors

Good wallpaper shears are designed with longer blades and an offset handle, allowing for easy table trimming. These scissors are useful for cutting wallpaper to size before hanging and for detailed trimming.

Smoothing Tool

Smoothing tools are essential for removing air bubbles and ensuring that the wallpaper adheres evenly to the wall. Different types of smoothers are available:

Plastic Smoother: The ROMAN plastic smoother is simple, inexpensive, and slightly flexible—it’s ideal for the vast majority of wallpaper installations.

Smoothing Brush: A smoothing brush for wallpaper, such as the KLASS 12-5094 model, is perfect for textured materials that might be damaged by a rigid plastic tool. The short, soft boar’s hair bristles gently smooth the wallpaper without causing damage.

Woven Smoothing Tool: The KLASS 13-2721 woven smoothing tool is ideal for delicate wallcoverings like hand-painted or silk wallpaper. 

Trim Guide

Trim guides are essential for achieving clean, precise cuts along floors, ceilings, and around obstacles. They come in various sizes and thicknesses to accommodate different cutting needs. KLASS has two types of trim guides that are highly recommended: 

Size 5 (0.6 mm): A smaller trim tool with a standard thickness blade, the KLASS 13-2892 model is perfect for most trimming tasks.

Size 9 (1.2 mm): The KLASS 13-2898 model is a larger trim tool with a double-thick blade, which is ideal for making “fat cuts” that leave a little extra material when cutting along trim or around inside corners.

Both models are crafted from high-quality Japanese stainless steel and come with waterproof, lightweight tool handles.

Paint Roller & Brush

A paint roller and brush are essential for applying adhesive or wallpaper. A standard 3/8-inch nap to 1/2-inch nap roller is recommended for a good, even coat of adhesive. A high-quality wallpaper brush is also necessary for applying paste in corners and along the ceiling and floor where a roller might not reach. 

Paint Pan or Screen

For DIYers, a paint pan is a convenient option for holding adhesive. Professionals, who often work with five-gallon buckets, may prefer a paint screen that fits inside the bucket, allowing them to efficiently load their roller without making a mess.

Rags or Sponges

Cleaning up excess adhesive is an important step in a wallcovering installation. Microfiber rags or natural sea sponges are ideal for this task. They are gentle on the wallpaper and effective at removing paste without leaving residue or causing damage.

Pro Tools

For professional installers, having an array of specialized tools can make all the difference when dealing with unique situations or delicate wallpaper. These tools are designed to handle more complex tasks and provide a higher level of precision and care.

Blue Cut Tape

Blue cut tape is essential for protecting the face of the wallcovering from adhesive squeeze-out at seam edges. This tape is ideal for masking double-cut seams, ceilings, and inside corners, preventing excess adhesive from staining delicate wallcoverings like grasscloth, silk, and pulp paper. We recommend the blue cut tape manufactured by KLASS.

Each roll of KLASS blue cut tape (11-1843) measures 60 mm wide by 66 meters long. The tape snaps apart easily, which eliminates the need for scissors or razor blades. For more info about this general type of product, refer to this video explanation.

Seam Rollers

Seam rollers are useful for laying down the seams of wallpaper and ensuring a smooth and secure bond between strips. KLASS offers two popular models of seam rollers, each with solid wood handles and stainless-steel ball bearings for extra durability:

• Plastic Seam Roller (12-3058): Made from a durable, non-stick plastic polymer, this wallpaper roller is easy to clean and ideal for most types and weights of wallpaper.
• Urethane Seam Roller (12-3222): Crafted from a softer urethane, this roller for wallpaper is perfect for slightly textured materials.

Bamboo Folder

The bamboo folder is a versatile tool used to create tight creases in wallpaper and guide cuts around detailed trim, molding, and other millwork. Its tipped edge allows for precision when working wallpaper into tight spots like behind radiators, sinks, and toilets. The KLASS bamboo folder is especially recommended. 

3-Way Mini Spatula

This simple yet effective tool can be used to smooth wallpaper or make cuts in areas where typical smoothers or trim tools might not fit. KLASS offers a high-quality spatula (12-2483) suitable for pro use.

Stainless Steel Corner Tool

The stainless steel corner tool is designed to assist with making precise cuts in difficult areas. Its bent steel construction allows it to be used as both a trim guide and a cutting tool—ideal for challenging spots. The KLASS corner tool (12-2554) is an excellent choice.

Metal Straight Edge

For high-end wallcoverings that are shipped untrimmed, a metal straight edge is essential for trimming the paper to the pattern before hanging. A straight edge helps ensure accurate cuts and features a finger guard for safety. Grimco offers the Big Blue Ruler that fits the bill.

Pasting Table

A pasting table provides an elevated work surface for applying adhesive to wallpaper. Many pasting tables are made of lightweight basswood and can be folded or disassembled for easy transport. This tool is particularly useful for large commercial projects.

Pasting Machine

For professional installers handling commercial wallcovering installations in spaces like offices and hotels, a pasting machine can significantly streamline the process. These machines automate the adhesive application, speeding up the installation process.

ROMAN Products Carries the Wallpaper Tools That People Use Every Day

ROMAN has been serving the professional wallpapering industry and the DIY segment for over 75 years, and our products—adhesives, primers, accessories, and more—are available through most of the big-box retailers. Our website includes a how-to section showing in detail how our products are installed. We are also available by phone to answer your questions Monday through Friday 8 AM to 4:30 PM CT.

Feel free to contact us today and let us help you get started installing wallpaper on the right foot.