Wallpaper Installation in British Columbia

A single feature wall is usually half a day; a full average room takes 1-2 days including prep. Add time for stripping old paper (half to a full day per room), wall repairs, and drying between prep coats.

Yes — paste-the-wall (non-woven) papers skip soak time, hang faster and strip dry in full sheets later. Most modern papers use this backing. Traditional paste-the-paper and delicate materials like grasscloth still reward a professional hand.

Painted walls, yes, after cleaning and priming. Papering over old wallpaper is a false economy — trapped seams telegraph through and moisture can lift both layers. Strip first; installers quote removal as a separate line.

Yes, with the right product — vinyl and washable papers handle humidity, and some installers seal edges with clear varnish in splash zones. Avoid delicate uncoated papers near cookers and showers. Good extraction/ventilation matters more than the paper choice.

Stripping is typically priced per room or per hour and depends entirely on what's underneath: modern non-woven papers peel off dry in minutes, while old glued layers over unsized walls can take a full day per room with steamers and leave repairs behind.

Installers price per roll, per square metre, or per day. Labour usually lands between half and the full cost of the paper itself — and premium papers (grasscloth, murals, wide-width vinyls) cost more to hang because mistakes are expensive. Removal of old paper is always quoted separately.

Measure wall width and height, then let the installer confirm — pattern repeat is the trap. A large repeat can add 15-25% waste, and you should order all rolls from one batch number to avoid shade differences. Always order one spare roll for future repairs.

Yes — peel-and-stick and non-woven papers drove a revival, but peel-and-stick struggles with dry winter air and textured walls common in Canadian builds. For textured walls, skim-coating first or choosing heavier traditional paper works better.