What Is The Thickest Grade Of Lining Paper?

Do your walls need some extra TLC? Whether you need to improve the application of your wallpaper or want a smooth surface for painting, lining paper is the best way to cover cracks, bumps, and imperfections on your walls. 

But if you’re using lining paper for the first time, you might feel a little confused about the different grades that are available. What’s the difference between 1000 and 2000? How does the grading system work? And what’s the thickest lining paper grade you can buy?

Whether you’re a first-timer or DIY expert, you’ve come to the right place. This post will explain what the thickest lining paper grade is, what it’s made from, and how it differs from the other lining papers on the market.

What exactly is lining paper?

Before explaining what the thinnest or thickest lining paper grades are, let’s begin with the basics. If you’re starting to decorate for the first time, you might be unsure why lining paper is considered such a crucial step when painting or papering your walls. You might even be asking yourself if it’s something you need to do at all.

Lining paper is a wall covering that’s used to prepare walls before they’re decorated (usually with wallpaper). It’s designed to create a smooth surface, filling in any cracks and bumps that could make your wallpaper sit unevenly on top. Some people also use it before painting, especially if their walls are in bad condition and need more than sandpaper and sugar soap to buff away the imperfections.

While most people use lining paper before paint, it’s also a good base for decorative wallpaper. For one, because decorative wallpaper works best on a surface that’s slightly absorbent, which lining paper provides. On top of that, many modern printed wallpapers are very thin, printed on translucent back paper. Lining the wall first reduces the chances of imperfections on the wall showing through.

Lining paper is particularly useful if you live in an older property, where the walls have been replastered many times over the years. Textured walls will make it much harder for you to apply your wallpaper or paint on top, so lining paper is an excellent way to create the blank canvas you need. It can also be used to smooth out damaged or cracked ceilings.

How does the grading system work?

Lining paper is sold according to a grading system, which runs from 800 to 2000. These numbers determine both the thickness and weight of the paper, with 800 grade at the thinnest end of the scale. The complete grades available are:

• 800
• 1000
• 1200
• 1400
• 1700
• 2000

What is the thickest lining paper grade?

This means that the thickest lining paper grade is 2000. The thicker the lining paper, the more heavy-duty it is and the more suitable for covering serious damage such as stains and pits. Thinner lining papers are great for covering minor cracks, or simply for creating an ‘airbrushed’ surface for you to paste your wallpaper onto.

When should I use the thickest lining paper?

As previously mentioned, different grades of lining paper are suitable for different purposes. At Cover Your Wall, we stock the complete range, from our professional lining paper that’s available in every grade to our specialist heavy-duty rolls (1700 and 2000 grades).

The thickest lining paper is ideal for walls that have undergone a lot of wear and tear – and bear the scars to prove it. Whether it’s pitting from plastering, deep cracks or crumbling, or even stains from nicotine or old wallpaper paste, 1700 and 2000 grade lining paper will be able to cover up the signs of past damage. This will leave you with the perfect surface, all ready for you to put your own stamp on it with your chosen wallpaper or paint.

The thickest lining paper grades also provide you with another benefit – added insulation. By creating an extra layer between your walls and your wallpaper, the lining paper will help your home to retain heat, making it more energy-efficient in the winter months.

What is the thickest lining paper made from?

At Cover Your Wall, the Erfurt MAV 1700 and 2000 grade lining paper we stock is made from pure paper pulp. This gives the paper impressive fibre strength, whilst ensuring that your walls are still able to breathe underneath.

Look out for lining papers that contain PVC (polyvinylchloride) as this will make the material far less breathable. Why is it important for your walls to be able to breathe? Well, having air flowing in and out through your walls means that the quality of your air is constantly being replenished. This reduces the build-up of stagnant air within your home, lowering the level of any indoor pollutants.

More importantly, it also reduces the risk of damp. If walls can breathe, it means that they can diffuse water vapour more effectively, preventing them from holding onto excess moisture in the air. This will improve the condition of both your walls and your wallpaper, which will expand when it’s wet and shrink back again once it’s dried out.

Reducing gaps

Over time, this expansion and shrinkage can result in narrow gaps forming between your sheets of wallpaper – an infuriating problem if you’ve spent a lot of time and money on redecorating.  Pure paper pulp ensures that even the thickest lining paper is still breathable, making it the perfect material for covering your walls whilst keeping them in excellent condition.

For the best results, we always recommend using a ready-mixed adhesive. Flake adhesives (which you mix yourself before use) could cause the lining paper not to adhere and eventually cause shrinking issues. A ready-mixed alternative will reduce shrinking back issues, as well as being that bit easier to use.

Another option worth considering is paste-the-wall lining paper. Rather than waiting for the adhesive to soak through conventional lining paper, paste-the-wall lining paper allows you to simply paste the wall and apply the covering directly. It’s easier to use with better results to match.

What are the specialist types of thickest lining paper?

Fireproofing

Thanks to their durability, the thickest lining paper grades aren’t simply great for domestic DIY – they’re also ideal for commercial projects.

Although traditional lining paper isn’t fireproof, specialist papers will protect your property as well as smooth out its walls. Wallrock Fireliner, for instance, is totally fireproof and doesn’t burn at all.

Covering woodchip or textured walls

If you’re looking to cover textured walls, including woodchip, options like Wallrock Thermal Liner and KV600 can help. With thickness of 3.2-4mm, they are the best option to cover textured surfaces. That thickness also gives them the added benefit of improved insulation – a win-win for your walls.

Find the thickest lining paper for your needs

If you want to maximise insulation or cover walls in a particularly bad condition, thick lining paper is the perfect solution. At Cover Your Wall, we offer a variety of lining paper grades, including the thickest lining paper available. We’re approved by leading brands Wallrock and Anaglypta, and you can even get free next day delivery on orders over £100.