PLEASE READ THIS MESSAGE IN ITS ENTIRETY BEFORE PROCEEDING

Download the pdf here.

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR SURFACE iQ ALTERNATIVE NON-PVC WALLCOVERING

If there is a discrepancy at any time during the installation, STOP and contact your distributor to resolve before proceeding. It is your responsibility to examine the goods and confirm the accuracy of the pattern and that color and yardage are satisfactory and as ordered. Cut material is not returnable. Check all roll tickets to determine if more than one run or dye-lot of the same pattern is to be installed. No claims will be allowed unless all instructions are followed. Install THREE strips, then stop and inspect the wallcovering. If satisfactory, proceed with work. If NOT acceptable or if there is a variation of color; stop hanging and contact your distributor IMMEDIATELY. Manufacturer will not be liable for labor charges in excess of three strips.

Moisture, Mold and Permeability

Film-faced wallcovering can act as a vapor barrier and consequently should NOT be installed on walls that are susceptible to excessive condensation or moisture infiltration. This may be more likely to occur in Humid and Fringe Zone 1 climates.

To reduce the risk of fungal growth within the wall or wall cavity we strongly recommend the use of microvented, permeable wallcovering. The following conditions should be observed:

• The building’s exterior envelope must be weather-tight, and the HVAC system must be operating before and during installation.
• The wall surface to be covered must be completely dry and free of any indications of prior mold/mildew growth before installation.
• The wallcovering supplied by Len-Tex may be made permeable (minimum 15+ perms) by an optional microventing  process. 

Permeable wallcovering cannot compensate for water intrusion caused by poor building envelope design, faulty construction, building system failure or improper maintenance practices.

WALL PREPARATION

All surfaces must be clean, dry smooth and structurally sound. Sand-finish plaster must be scraped smooth. Cinder or cement blocks must be plastered or cemented smooth before application of the wallcovering. Newly plastered walls must be completely dry before application – check walls with a reliable “moisture meter” to make sure they are dry to the satisfaction of the architect.

Proper surface preparation is the key to getting great results. To prepare the surface properly, we recommend that you prime all surfaces with Roman Decorating PRO-977 Ultraprime. The wallcovering will be easier to hang and easier to remove at redecorating time. Any mildew MUST be removed from the walls and surfaces treated to inhibit further growth.  

ADHESIVE APPLICATION – Wet Hang

Use Roman Decorating PRO-732 Extra Strength Clay adhesive for roller pasting and PRO-774 Clay Strippable for Machine use. APPLY ONLY AT FULL STRENGTH – Whip or Stir DO NOT DILUTE! Apply a liberal even coat of adhesive over the entire back of the wallcovering by either running strips through a pasting machine or with a ½” nap application roller. “Book” material for 15 minutes. For additional adhesive assistance or sourcing call Roman at 1-708-891-0770. TIP: Undiluted adhesive with proper booking time will help ensure a successful installation.   

ADHESIVE APPLICATION – Dry Hang

Use Roman Decorating PRO-732 Extra Strength Clay adhesive for roller pasting and PRO-774 Clay Strippable for Machine use.  APPLY ONLY AT FULL STRENGTH – Whip or Stir DO NOT DILUTE!  Apply an even liberal coat of adhesive using ½" nap application roller to no more than 3 drop sections of the wall.  If performing a double cut, push-pin back loose top corner to avoid having the material fall.  At the point of double cut you will need to open seam area, reapply a light coat of adhesive in the seam area, (wet Velcro technique), to avoid seaming issues.  Lightly work seam back together and follow the remainder of these instructions.  For additional adhesive assistance or sourcing call Roman at 1-708-891-0770. 

CUTTING WALLCOVERING

Use rolls in sequential order starting from the highest number working down to the lowest number. Number strips and headers as they are cut from the roll. Apply to the wall in the exact order as they were cut. Fill in over and around doors and windows as you come to them with strips cut in consecutive order from the roll. Allow ample material for matching of repeats (if applicable) and trimming at the ceiling and floor line. Make certain that run or dye-lot numbers are broken only at a corner.

INSTALLATION

Do not use a steel broad-knife for smoothing wallcovering or seams. SURFACE iQ is softer than steel blades and damage to wallcovering surface will occur. To avoid burnishing the face of the material, use either a sweep brush or soft poly smoothing tool. Do not install wallcovering unless a temperature above 55° F is maintained in both areas of installation and storage for at least 48 hours prior to installation. IT IS MOST IMPORTANT THAT PERMANENT LIGHTING BE IN EXISTENCE PRIOR TO AND DURING INSTALLATION OF ALL WALLCOVERING. DO NOT INSTALL WITH TEMPORARY “PIGTAIL” LIGHTING.

Before installing, EXAMINE PATTERN FOR COLOR and establish if there is any REPEAT TO THE DESIGN. Determine whether the pattern match is random, straight across or half drop and add material to the length accordingly. When installing a textured or non-matched pattern, reverse hang alternate strips to ensure color consistency.

• Hang first strip even with a plumb line. Use strips in the exact order as they are cut from the roll. 
• Measure the wall height and add 4 inches, plus any allowance for vertical repeat (if applicable) and then cut to your desired length.
• Use a seam-roller to flatten the edges at the seams, ceiling and floor line by applying light pressure.
• When seaming wallcovering the advised method is to overlap strips on the wall and cut through the overlap taking care not to score the drywall.
• Overlap the strips about 2 inches using a straight edge or appropriate double cutter, cut through the double lapped thickness. Remove the top and bottom strips and work into a tight seam using a seam roller or poly smoothing blade. 
• As each strip is installed, if any adhesive does get on the face of the wallcovering, wash it off immediately with warm water and blot dry with a clean, lint-free towel. Use a soft bristle brush to clean, if necessary. Change this rinse water frequently. Be certain to also wash the ceiling and baseboard to remove any adhesive residue. All seams should be vertical, have a tight fit and be free of air and paste bubbles. Adhesive residue will discolor seams or leave a dull vertical area. Adhesive not cleaned promptly from surface of wallcovering will be very difficult to remove later.
• For difficult installations, such as columns or outside corners, apply adhesive to both the wall and the wallcovering; allow both surfaces to “tack up” and wrap corners, columns, etc. NEVER USE OPEN FLAME TO “SOFTEN” THE WALLCOVERING. A heat gun, at lowest setting, may be used to soften the wallcovering but the surface of the wallcovering must not exceed 150°F. 
• Always carry wallcovering around corners at least 6” making no corner cut. If a corner cut is unavoidable, do not overlap and cut – butt each strip separately, resulting in a tight corner seam.
• Trim excess material from base moldings, ceiling, door and window frames with a suitable razor knife and cutting guide.
• Panels on non-matching patterns typically have a width on the wall of 51”-52”.  It may be necessary to trim one or both selvages further to obtain uniform color consistency from strip to strip.
• Proceed in same manner around the room.