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Can You Put Peel And Stick Tile Over Wallpaper? (How To)

Some surfaces are not suited for peel-and-stick tile installation and may even stop the tiles from adhering to a backsplash or wall.

Because of this, it’s crucial to choose the right kind of surface for peel-and-stick tiles – one of which is a wall covered in wallpaper.

You can attach peel-and-stick tiles to wallpaper so long as any peeling corners are removed first by either cutting or tearing them off. You can then cover the wallpaper with peel-and-stick tiles, making sure that any grime or grease is cleaned off first and the surface is completely dry.

man installing tiles at the wall

If you have a wallpaper that is textured or if there are chips or holes in the plaster, you may find that the peel-and-stick tiles don’t adhere very well.

Raised, textured wallpaper is best removed as it will be difficult to get a smooth, even, finish when sticking your tile to the surface.

If the plaster is damaged or there are large holes, these should be filled first and allowed to dry before proceeding with attaching the tiles.

Wipe down the entire wall with a quality degreaser to make sure that there are no traces of oil or grease on the surface. Leaving any grease on the surface will result in the tiles peeling off after a little while. So this crucial step should not be skipped.

Use our tile floor calculator to find out how much it’ll cost you to put tile over wallpaper.

Should You Put Peel And Stick Tile Over Wallpaper?

man installing tiles at the wall

Consider utilizing peel-and-stick tiles when an area, such as the kitchen, bathroom, or basement, needs a little TLC, but you don’t have the time or resources to devote to installing a tiled wall.

The installation procedure is simple enough that most DIY’ers may do this task without hiring a specialist.

Using peel-and-stick tiles to cover old wallpaper is perfectly fine so long as you ensure that the surface is clean and free from any loose pieces of wallpaper. If the edges have lifted or become frayed, then trim the loose pieces and then clean the surface with a degreasing agent.

Once the wallpaper is clean and any loose pieces are removed, you’re ready to move on to the next stage, which is to check for holes, chips, or loose plaster.

If there are holes and large indentations, you’ll need to fill these with a suitable filler and then sand the area flat so that it aligns with the wallpaper adjacent to the repair.

Remember that peel and stick does not adhere well to chalky or powdery finishes, so if you have a

Stucco, brick or stone wall, or unpainted plywood, you’ll need to prepare the surface by painting it first before the tiles stick to it properly.

It is also best to avoid areas that are close to an open flame or in a very damp area, such as above a shower cubicle.

What Tools Do You Need To Put Peel And Stick Tile Over Wallpaper?

Tools used for tiles

If you’ve ever used a wet saw to cut tiles, apply tile adhesive on your walls, or set grout on new tiles, you are aware of how time-consuming and expensive it can be.

Installing peel-and-stick tiles is far simpler and much quicker – requiring very few tools.

You’ll need a pair of scissors or an Exacto knife to cut your peel-and-stick tiles as well as a pen or pencil to mark the cut lines. A straight edge or ruler is needed to take measurements as well as to transfer the lines to your tiles.

While it is not necessary, some people find it useful to have some brown paper handy to make a template for hard-to-measure areas.

The spaces around windows and cupboards or along a countertop can be challenging to get right, so using a template may be a simpler solution.

If you have long sections of the wall to cover, a level may come in handy to ensure that the tiles are level.

Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on December 13, 2022.

Once your peel-and-stick tiles have adhered in place and you’ve smoothed them flat with your hand or a squeegee, it’s time to look at the edges.

Visually, the tile will look much neater if the edges are covered and filled with a silicone sealant, especially if you’re tiling a backsplash.

The microscopic gap between the stick-on-tiles can allow water to penetrate, so use a caulking gun to apply the sealant evenly. You can then either use your finger or a sponge to smooth the sealant.

What Preparations Do You Need To Put Peel And Stick Tile Over Wallpaper?

man installing tiles at the wall

It’s crucial to prepare the installation surface carefully to avoid problems in the future.

Do not omit this step, since peel-and-stick tiles can be damaged by an improperly prepared wall.

Before beginning to install the peel-and-stick tiles, prepare the surface by washing the wallpaper with a soapy solution to remove any debris and grime. You can also use a degreasing agent to remove oily residues that will prevent the glue on the back of the tiles from sticking to the wall.

You’ll also need a large clean surface on which to measure and cut your tiles. Preferably remove anything that will interfere with your free access to the area you want to tile.

If you are tiling from floor to ceiling, then a ladder will come in handy so that you can easily reach the highest section of your wall without the risk of applying the tiles skew.

How To Put Peel And Stick Tile Over Wallpaper

confused man standing

Applying peel-and-stick tiles over wallpaper is one option that is very popular as they don’t require very much preparation.

After cleaning the wallpaper surface with soap and water or a degreaser, wait for it to dry before applying your first tile. Start on one side of the wall, approximately in the middle, and work your way up and down from there. Use a level to mark a line so that you apply the tiles correctly.

On reaching a cupboard or window, mark the tile using a template or use a tape measure to ensure that you cut the tile to the exact shape.

For safety’s sake, cut your piece of tile a little bigger than you require and trim it once you’ve tested it in position. Only once you are certain that the tile is cut correctly should you remove the backing and stick the tile in place.

Usually, you can unstick a tile once, if you’ve positioned it incorrectly. After that you’ll probably have to cut another tile.

You can smooth the tiles down and press them in place using your hand, but a roller or squeegee may work better for you.

Once the tiles are all in place, use a caulking gun to run a bead of sealant along the edges of the tiles. This helps to make the wall a little more waterproof and gives a neat finish to your project. This is especially important if you are using the peel-and-stick tiles as a backsplash.

Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on December 13, 2022.

The sealant will help to ensure that water doesn’t seep behind the tiles and cause them to become unstuck.

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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on December 13, 2022.

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