Wall prep guide
Wallpaper Liner: What It Is and When You Need One
A wallpaper liner is a plain base paper hung on the wall before the decorative wallpaper. It evens out minor imperfections, gives porous walls a consistent surface, reduces shrinkage and seam splitting, and is often required by grasscloth and other specialty paper makers. It is usually hung horizontally, called cross-lining, so its seams never line up with the wallpaper's seams.
In short
- Liner smooths minor flaws, but it does not replace repairs on damaged walls.
- Many grasscloth, silk and heavy specialty papers call for a liner.
- Cross-lining (horizontal) keeps liner seams away from wallpaper seams.
- The wall is still repaired and primed before the liner goes up.
When a liner is worth it
- The manufacturer's instructions call for one, common with grasscloth and natural fibers.
- The wall has minor imperfections after repair.
- The surface is porous and absorbs paste too fast.
- The decorative paper is heavy, delicate or expensive, and you want the best possible base.
When a liner is not enough
A liner bridges small dents and hairline cracks. It does not hide heavy texture, loose plaster or active moisture. Those need repair or a skim coat first. See wallpaper over textured walls.
How it is installed
- Repair, sand and prime the wall.
- Hang the liner horizontally (cross-lining), edges butted, not overlapped.
- Let it dry fully.
- Prime or size the liner if the wallpaper maker requires it.
- Hang the decorative paper vertically.
Types of liner
Traditional paper liners are pasted on the back; non-woven liners are pasted on the wall and do not expand or contract, which makes them easier to hang.
Where we work: neighborhoods and ZIP codes
We hang liner under grasscloth and heavy papers in Buckhead, Brookhaven, Roswell, East Cobb and Gwinnett County homes.
North Atlanta: Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Brookhaven, Midtown
- 30305 Buckhead
- 30327 Buckhead / Tuxedo Park
- 30342 Buckhead / Sandy Springs
- 30328 Sandy Springs
- 30350 Sandy Springs / Dunwoody
- 30338 Dunwoody
- 30319 Brookhaven
- 30324 Brookhaven / Lindbergh
- 30329 North Druid Hills
- 30341 Chamblee / Brookhaven
- 30339 Vinings / Cumberland
- 30309 Midtown / Ansley Park
- 30318 West Midtown / Westside
Roswell and East Cobb
- 30075 Roswell
- 30076 Roswell
- 30077 Roswell
- 30062 Marietta / East Cobb
- 30066 Marietta / East Cobb
- 30068 Marietta / East Cobb
Gwinnett County
- 30017 Grayson
- 30096 Duluth
- 30092 Peachtree Corners
- 30071 Norcross
- 30093 Norcross
- 30043 Lawrenceville
- 30045 Lawrenceville
- 30046 Lawrenceville
- 30019 Dacula
- 30052 Loganville
- 30078 Snellville
- 30039 Snellville
- 30518 Buford / Sugar Hill
- 30519 Buford
Also serving: Alpharetta, Milton and Johns Creek; Cumming; Woodstock, Canton and Hall County. Not sure we cover your street? Send your ZIP code with a quote request.
About WallPros. WallPros LLC is a wallpaper installation company based in Grayson, Georgia, serving Gwinnett County, North Atlanta, Alpharetta, Roswell, East Cobb, Cumming and the rest of Metro Atlanta for 10 years. We install, remove and prepare walls for homeowners, interior designers and builders.
Sources
FAQ
Common questions
Do I need a liner for grasscloth?
Many grasscloth manufacturers recommend one. Follow the instructions that come with your rolls.
Does liner add to the cost?
Yes, it adds material and a day of labor in many cases, but it protects expensive paper.
Can liner go over textured walls?
Only very light texture. Heavier texture needs a skim coat.