How to Install Soundproofing Wallpaper

Soundproofing materials can keep sound out of a room, or they can keep sound contained in a confined area, such as a home theater or a teen's bedroom. Whether noise in your home originates from within or from exterior sources such as passing cars or a neighbor's yard, acoustical wallpaper can restore the peace. Residential acoustical wallpaper, which can reduce noise by nearly 75 percent, comes in smooth and textured varieties. Some are paintable; others are available in a choice of colors. The installation process is the same as the process for hanging regular wallpaper, but the weight of acoustical paper requires a stronger adhesive.

Vinyl floor adhesive
Notched trowel
Staple gun
Utility knife
Damp cloth
Joint compound
Screwdriver

Instructions

- 1
  Remove existing wallpaper, if necessary. Clean walls. Repair the wall surface, if necessary, so that it's smooth and level.
- 2
  Spread a thin layer of vinyl floor adhesive using a notched trowel. Apply enough to hang two strips of wallpaper side by side, then allow the adhesive to dry until it's slightly tacky.
- 3
  Unfurl the roll of paper with the help of a partner. One person can take the end of the sheet and align it with the ceiling line while the other holds the roll.
- 4
  Adhere the wallpaper to the wall, beginning at the top edge and smoothing the paper as you go down. The person holding the roll should give just enough slack to allow the other person to work. When about 1 foot of paper has been adhered, staple the top edge near the ceiling to hold it in place until the adhesive dries.
- 5
  Smooth the rest of the sheet into place, sweeping your hands over the entire surface, working from the center outward, to remove air bubbles and ensure that the entire surface of the paper makes contact with the wall. Trim the paper along the bottom edge of the wall using a utility knife.
- 6
  Install the next sheet of wallpaper over the tacky adhesive, butting the edge against the edge of the previous sheet. Staple the sheet at the top, then smooth out wrinkles and air bubbles as you adhere the rest of the sheet. Trim the sheet off at the bottom of the wall.
- 7
  Wipe away adhesive that seeps out between the sheets using a damp cloth.
- 8
  Trowel another two sheets' worth of adhesive on the wall. Hang the next sheets after the adhesive is tacky. Continue until the room is completely papered. Allow the adhesive to dry for the length of time recommended by the manufacturer.
- 9
  Smooth joint compound along the seams between wallpaper sheets using your finger. Create a level surface between sheets.
- 10
  Wipe the joint compound with a damp cloth, using a diagonal sweeping motion to smooth the joint compound and reduce the likelihood of visible lines. Allow the joint compound to dry.
- 11
  Remove the staples by gently prying them out with a screwdriver.

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