Why Won't Laminate Stick to the Wall?

Wall Texture

• A wall with a rough texture will not provide a good surface adhering laminate. If your home has textured walls, you may need to prime them with a thick layer of paint or primer before applying laminate. Brick and stucco walls require a layer of battens followed by a plywood or fiberboard surface. This provides a wall surface that is smooth enough for flat laminate panel backings to stick.

Adhesive Problems

• Problems with a laminate's adhesive can also prevent it from staying on your wall. Some laminate products come with peel-off backings and pre-applied adhesive. Others require you to brush on adhesive during installation. If the adhesive dries out due to exposure to heat, or fails to dry because of high humidity, it may not cure properly to keep the laminate on the wall for an extended period.

Application Methods

• Failing to follow the correct adhesive and laminate application procedures will also prevent laminate from sticking to a wall. Some types of laminate use an adhesive known as contact adhesive. This requires you to apply one layer of adhesive to the laminate panel and another to the wall before positioning the laminate. By only using a single layer of adhesive, or simply not using enough, will create a weak bond that won't last.

Considerations

• When laminate falls off your wall, it creates a gap in the pattern that gives an unfinished appearance. If it lands with its adhesive side down, it can damage your flooring as well. To avoid this problem, follow all application directions carefully and lay a drop cloth at the base of the completed wall for several hours in case any laminate panels fall. If your wall isn't smooth enough to allow laminate to stick, first install a smooth layer of plywood or drywall, than apply laminate to the new surface.