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INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
 
Bring new life to old walls with the Glass Textile Wallcovering System. Just follow the easy steps below. Whether it's cracked plaster, paneling, concrete block, tile or painted walls, Glass textile wallcovering is a cost effective way to cover those unsightly walls. See also problem surfaces.


For a professional contractor, go to NGPP or PDCA.


Here Are All The Tools You Will Need:
Image of Tools Needed
Basic Installation Steps:    
Working with Glass Textile Wallcovering
1. Remove existing paper. Painted surfaces should be washed. Extremely porous surfaces should be pre-sized. Fill large cracks or holes with spackle or filler. Use waterproof spackle and paste for walls where moisture or humidity is likely.
  Working with Glass Textile Wallcovering
2. Using a level or plumb bob, make a vertical guideline on the wall for proper placement the first length. Brush or roll paste over wall surface to be covered by the first two or three sections (if using waterproof paste, reduce area somewhat.) One gallon covers approximately 15 sq. yards.
     
Working with Glass Textile Wallcovering
3. Hang the first length. Work from center of strip towards edges to remove lumps and bubbles.
  Working with Glass Textile Wallcovering
4. Hang the second length in the same manner. Glass textile wallcovering can be butt joined or double cut, if preferred.
     
Working with Glass Textile Wallcovering
5. Repeat until completed. Trim top and bottom edges in and around electrical outlets, etc., according to standard procedures. Material softens with moisture, so work quickly.
  Working with Glass Textile Wallcovering
6. Allow installed glass textile wallcovering material to dry thoroughly at room temperature prior to painting. Apply primer and finish paint in accordance with manufacturer recommendations and job specifications.
     
   
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

Product and Installation Information:

Glass textile wallcovering is made from all natural, glass fiber yarns that are woven into various textures and patterns that vary in thickness. The glass weave material is treated with a natural binder to provide dimensional stability during installation. It is installed by a dry hang method or some patterns can be pulled through a paste machine. The unprimed patterns require a latex primer coat of paint and then a final finish coat of paint. The pre-primed patterns may require only one finish coat of paint when using a low luster/satin finish.

No special installation tools are required, however never use a seam roller. We highly recommend using top quality commercial adhesive, primer, and paint products for the best results.

For a highly breathable surface, latex paints and finishes are recommend. For a highly durable surface, epoxy finishes can be used. For a totally sealed surface use alkyd paints. Elastomeric coatings can also be used.

Substrate Preparation:

1. Surface Fixtures: Remove switchplates, wall plates, and surface-mounted fixtures in areas where wallcovering is to be applied.

2. Cleaning: Clean substrates to be free of dust, dirt, stains, oily coatings, water-based paint, or other compounds preventing adhesive bond or impairing performance of installed materials.
   a. Mildew: Remove mildew and treat wall surfaces with mildew growth inhibitor recommended by manufacturer. In high humidity areas, an antimicrobial is recommended to be added to adhesive, primer paint and finish paint for added protection if not already added by manufacturer.


3. Moisture Content: Test substrate with electronic moisture meter to verify that surfaces to be covered do not exceed a moisture content of 5%.

4. Stains: Do not install wallcoverings over oil-based wood stains or felt-tip pen markings without proper substrate preparation.

5. New Plaster: New plaster must age at least 30 days before hanging wallcovering. Surface must be smooth and free from surface chalk. It should not have more than 5% moisture content.

6. New Drywall: New drywall must be wiped down with a damp cloth to remove sanding dust. All nails and screws and joint depressions must be taped and spackled to a smooth finish. Non-rust proof nails and screws must be sealed to prevent bleed-through. It should not have more than 5% moisture content.

7. Other Porous Surfaces: Walls must be clean, dry, smooth and structurally sound. Use an all purpose cleaner to remove dirt, grease, and wax. If a painted surface is found to be unsound, the paint will have to be removed. Repair all cracks and holes.

8. Non-Porous Surfaces: Plastic, glass, Formica, ceramic tile, baked enamel, paneling, cement block, or glossy paint etc. should be primed with an appropriate primer specially formulated for difficult-to-bond surfaces to maximize the initial tack and final bond strength of the wallcovering adhesive. If a painted surface is found to be unsound, the paint will have to be removed. Repair all cracks and holes, and fill in mortar joints with low shrinking joint compound and prime surface. All surfaces should be rendered free of joints, cracks, holes rough edges, etc., to offer a smooth surface.

9. Renovation of other wallcoverings: Removal of old wallpaper or vinyl is recommended to prevent bleedthrough and/or delamination. Check wall surface after removal to determine that walls are structurally sound, clean and dry. Surface should be free of holes. rough edges, etc. that could affect the quality of the installation.

10. Old plaster: Check carefully for the possibility of delamination that con occur with old walls in poor condition. Remove questionable plaster and replaster to smooth finish. Sand lightly and check moisture content as with new plaster.

11. Substrate Priming: Verify that substrates are thoroughly dry. Prime and seal substrates as necessary in accordance with adhesive manufacturers recommendations.

Installation of Glass Textile Wallcovering

1. Material Inspection: inspect each roll of glass textile wallcovering material, verify that pattern matches approved samples, and inspect for defects before cutting.

2. Glass Textile Wallcovering: Using a dry hang method, place panels consecutively in the order cut from rolls, including filling spaces above or below openings. (Do not reverse sides, use same side always). Lengths may be precut.
   a. Substrates: Verify that primed substrates are fully dry prior to application of adhesive and installation of wallcovering
   b. Adhesive: Apply adhesive evenly to substrate with 3/4" nap roller, spray, or brush, with no gaps or bare spots. Do not apply more adhesive in each application than will be covered by one or two lengths of glass textile wallcovering, to prevent dry spots and insufficient adhesion.


3. Application of Wallcovering: Apply glass textile wallcovering to the adhesive covered substrate.
   a. Set the first wallcovering panel. Ensure that the panel is plumb. Eliminate air pockets and secure wallcovering to wall surface with plastic smoother applicator. Work from center of strip toward edges. Do not overwork material.
   b. Seams: Butt join sections and match pattern of texture at eye level between panels and across seams of wallcovering materials to assure tight straight closure.
Do not use a seam roller. Patterns may be double cut where edges appear rough or bolt has been damaged to assure tight, straight closure. Horizontal seams are not acceptable unless otherwise specified.
   c. Remove excess adhesive along finished seam immediately after each wallcovering strip is applied. Use damp but not wet sponge and use caution not to remove primer from the pre-primed material. Avoid getting adhesive on face of wallcovering.
   d. Corners: Allow glass textile wallcovering to set momentarily on adhesive to ensure maximum flexibility and positive molding characteristics. Using a damp sponge (being careful not to remove the primer from the pre-primed material by overworking/rubbing), turn and wrap to form corners which are crisp, square, and true, and with wallcovering fully adhered to substrate. Wrap wallcovering a minimum of 2 inches beyond outside corners. Double cut wallcovering at inside corner to assure corrections in corners that are not plumb.


4. Bonding: Install wallcovering with sound bond of material to substrate.

5. Trimming: When possible, install material prior to installation of plumbing, fixtures, trim, cabinets, etc. Trim wallcovering evenly to edges of wall penetrations, outlet boxes, reveals, adjacent door or window frames, and moldings. Trim seams and other straight cuts using a straight edge. Perform cutting work on a cutting table when possible. When wall cutting procedures are required, perform cutting without scoring, perforating, or otherwise damaging the substrate. Use a fresh blade for each cut.

6. Appearance before Painting: Wallcovering to be smooth, clean and free of wrinkles, gaps, overlaps, and other defects. Raising and puckering at seams, bubbles, blisters, telegraphing of adhesive spreader marks, and other surface imperfections are not acceptable. Cuts or edges of wallcovering visible around cover plates or trim are not acceptable. Redo or replace defective installation.

Painting and Finishing for Un-Primed or Pre-Primed System

Paint Selection:

A high quality paint coating is recommended. Consult with your favorite paint supplier. For certain applications, we recommend the following:
  • For environmentally friendly/green system, use a no VOC paint.
  • For mold and mildew protection, use Zinsser Perma White paint.
  • For high traffic areas, use water-based epoxy paint.
1. Allow installed glass textile wallcovering material to dry thoroughly at room temperature prior to priming and/or painting.

2. For Un-Primed Patterns
   a. Priming and Painting: Apply one coat of latex primer with 3/4" to 1" roller nap to cover material thoroughly without gaps or bare spots, and allow to dry. If primer is sprayed on, it must be back rolled to work it into the wallcovering. After primer is dry, apply one coat of finish paint to produce uniform final color or even coverage, thickness and intensity.


3. For Pre-Primed Patterns
   a. Painting: Apply one coat of finish paint with 3/4" to 1" roller nap cover and backroll to cover material thoroughly without gaps or bare spots to produce uniform final color of even coverage, thickness, and intensity, If finish coat is sprayed on, it must be back rolled to work it into the wallcovering thoroughly without gaps or bare spots to produce uniform final color of even coverage, thickness, and intensity. See Technical Data Sheet for paint consumption.


4. Replacement: Upon completion of wallcovering installation in each space or area, reinstall items, such as fixtures, plates, and similar items, which had been removed, using workmen skilled in the trades involved. Verify that cut edges of wallcovering are concealed.

5. Finished Appearance: Finished wallcovering to be smooth, clean, of uniform color, finish, and appearance, and free of wrinkles, gaps, overlaps, bare spots, holidays, roller marks, uncoated areas, and other defects. Redo or replace defective installation.

Cleaning and Protection

1. Cleaning of Adjacent Surfaces: Promptly remove all sealers, primers, adhesives, and other materials which are spilled, splashed, or otherwise fall on adjacent surfaces, in a manner not to damage or discolor the surface from which it is removed.

2. Final Cleanup: Remove surplus materials, rubbish, and debris resulting from wallcovering installation upon completion of work. Leave areas of installation in neat, clean condition.
   
SUPPLEMENTAL INSTRUCTIONS
 
Adhesives, Primers and Paints
Good, professional quality adhesive, primer, and paint should always be used for best results. No special brands are required for a glass textile wallcovering installation. The installer should use appropriate adhesives, substrate primers, and paint necessary or specified to achieve a proper installation.


Reversing Patterns
Both sides of all glass textile wallcovering patterns can be used as the front, or surface side, but make sure the same side is used as the front throughout the installation. If reversed at random, the pattern or texture may have a slightly different appearance when painted.

Lead Base Paint Encapsulation or Enclosure
Glass textile wallcovering is not an encapsulant. However, it can be used as a reinforced fiber type material along with an approved encapsulant coating system or paint. It also offers a decorative element in the encapsulation process as most coatings are smooth and do not have a decorative finish feature.

Mechanical or chemical removal lead base paint processes can often weaken a plaster surface. Glass textile wallcovering is ideal to reinforce the substrate before painting. The surface must be replastered to a smooth finish and an appropriate primer applied before installing glass textile wallcovering.


Seams
Do not use a seam roller on glass textile wallcovering seams. Avoid overworking glass textile wallcovering when wet, because the texture will be pressed flat to the wall resulting in a dull or off color finish when painted.

Corners
Use a damp (not wet) sponge to soften glass textile wallcovering at outside corners and similar spots to make it more pliable and easier to mold or turn to prevent breaking yarns. Inside corners are best made by double cutting at the corner. This will allow corrections at corners that are not plumb. Outside corners are installed in a similar manner, only proceed past corner a minimum of 2 inches before cutting.

Glass textile wallcovering can also be cut directly along the edge of a corner if necessary however, there will be a reduction in protection of the substrate at the edge where integrity of the glass textile wallcovering has been interrupted. For maximum strength at corners, it is always recommended to turn the corner with a continuous wrap of glass textile wallcovering as described in the above paragraph. Corner guards are highly recommended for all high traffic corners.

Tools & Equipment
A plastic applicator or rubber roller is recommended to be used to secure glass textile wallcovering to the substrate.

Tips
When hanging glass textile wallcovering over walls which have contrasting light and dark areas, it may be necessary to prime the surface with a pigmented, pre-wallcovering primer.

Quality Assurance
Glass textile wallcovering is a woven fabric and some irregularities may occur. Each bolt of glass textile wallcovering is visually inspected at the factory and irregularities, if observed, are marked at the edge of the bolt with a small tab. Approximately 3 feet of material is added to the bolt for each tab. Every bolt should be inspected by the installer prior to cutting and installing.
   
REPAIR & MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS
 
Repairs
Minor scratches and scrapes: Where fibers are raised, sand tightly and touch up with a paint brush or roller.

Deeper cuts: Some cuts may only require adding a thin stream of latex caulk applied and then smoothed with the finger. A light sanding before the caulk is applied may be required to smooth away any raised fibers. After the caulk is dry, simply touch up with paint.

Penetration through substrate: Cut a piece of glass textile wallcovering approximately 3-4 inches all around larger than the damaged area. Place the patch over the damaged area, match the lines and pattern, tape in place. Using a double cut technique with a sharp straight edge, cut through the patch and the existing glass textile wallcovering on the wall through to the adhesive following the design of the pattern and texture. Be careful not to cut through to the paper on the sheetrock.

Remove the patch end tape to the wall next to the damaged area to assure not losing or turning the patch in the wrong direction when applying. Remove the old glass textile wallcovering and repair or replace the damaged substrate area so that the new patch will evenly match the height of the existing wallcovering. To assure removal of damaged area without removing the paper from the sheetrock, make a cross cut from corner to corner to remove the wallcovering and start from the center removing in smaller pieces.

If needed, prime the substrate. Apply adhesive with brush or roller depending on size of repaired area. Install the glass textile wallcovering patch exactly in same position as it was cut out and smooth lightly using a rubber roller or plastic applicator to ensure installation without air bubbles.

Note: Do not use a seam roller as it will distort the texture in the wallcovering.

Allow to dry thoroughly before applying latex primer coat. When primer coat is dry, if seams are visible or raised fiber nap, a light sanding with a 100 grit paper is recommended and apply a thin stream of latex paint caulk in the cut areas to fill in. Feather out the caulk evenly to provide a seamless appearance. Once dry, apply topcoat paint to match existing paint.

Tips during and after installation
If after priming you find bubbles, inject adhesive with a needle or make vertical cut and insert adhesive with paint brush. Smooth down the wallcovering with rubber roller or plastic applicator and let sit. Wipe off excess glue with damp sponge.

Popcorn ceiling: Caulk edge between wallcovering and ceiling and around windows and area where condensation and wetness occurs.

Cleaning and Maintenance
The type of paint finish will determine the cleaning solution. A latex enamel or epoxy paint can be cleaned and disinfected. A brush can be used on heavier soiled areas. Flat paint does not typically hold up to much washing, and may require touchup or repainting of the surface.

In high humidity climates where mold and mildew are a problem, it is recommended to not use a biodegradable room freshener as it is food for mold and mildew spores to grow and can cause surface mildew.

Corner guards are recommended for corners in high traffic areas for added protection and longer life for walls.
 
ESTIMATING GUIDE back to top
 
To determine how much glass textile wallcovering to order, first determine the amount of square footage to be covered.
Multiply length x height = sq.ft.

Example: Wall is 15 feet wide x 9 feet high = 135 sq.ft.

One lineal yard of 39" wide material contains 9.75 sq.ft.

Then divide the amount of sq.ft. by 9.75 to determine the number of yards to order.

Example: 135 sq.ft. divided by 9.75 = 13.8 yards (best to round up to next number)

Waste is minimal with glass textile wallcovering. Allow approximate 5 percent more than the formula indicates.

For your use in comparing the sq.ft. amount and cost per sq.ft. from one product to another and, the chart below shows the number of sq.ft. per lineal yard of various width materials.

To compare 54" wide vinyl wallcovering to 39" wide glass textile wallcovering, divide the cost per yard of the 54" wide by 13.50 and the cost per yard of the 39" wide GTW by 9.75, and you can use the cost per sq.ft. in price comparison.  
For example, if an average cost of a Type II 54" vinyl is $15.00 per yard, the cost per sq.ft. would be $15.00 divided by 13.50 = $1.11; if an average cost of 39" GTW is $5.00 per yard, the cost per sq.ft. would be $.51 per sq.ft. 

The installation instructions are provided as a service and are intended for typical applications. Because every application and wall surface varies, Roos International Ltd. does not warrant the success of the project outlined above or the performance of any product listed. Roos International Ltd. specifically disclaims any liability for damage which may result from following the process outlined above.


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For more information and free consultation, call Roos International, Ltd. USA
Roos International has specialized in glass textile wallcovering for 20 years.
TEL: 1-800-888-2776   FAX: 954-429-8208
954-429-3883 (outside the US & Canada)
E-Mail: customerservice@roosintl.com

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