New build & wallpaper-ready
Why new-build handovers often fall short for a mirror-smooth plaster look, and how to avoid unexpected costs.
The term 'wallpaper-ready' dates back to the era of thick, old-fashioned paper wallpaper. That covered everything. But modern Renovlies works like a magnifying glass. Because the adhesive is 65% water, the fleece pulls tight around every imperfection. Every bump or dip shows up immediately.
In Dutch construction, the quality of plastering is often assessed against the guidelines of the Technical Bureau for Finishing (TBA). These guidelines form the industry standard for what counts as 'wallpaper-ready'. In practice, the usual handover standards for plastering in new builds do not always meet the higher requirements needed for applying Renovlies.
According to TBA guidelines, bumps and trowel marks up to 1 mm are permitted. The wall may deviate by as much as 5 mm over 2 metres (waviness). This level is fine for thick textured wallpaper, but unsuitable for a smooth plaster look.
A very tight and smooth surface with strict tolerances. This level is needed if you want to achieve the effect of real plasterwork. This level is rarely reached straight after construction; we almost always need to pre-treat the surface by hand or machine.
A shell-only handover is very different from wallpaper-ready. You get a bare concrete shell: you are looking directly at aerated concrete or calcium silicate blocks, including open joints and deep holes.
The hard truth: Renovlies can never be applied directly here. Even sanding won't help. Shell walls always need to be traditionally plastered first (scratch coat). Make sure to factor this into your budget.
As you can see in these photos, wallpaper-ready walls in new builds often leave a lot to be desired. Pits, deep scratches and rough patches are more the rule than the exception. If we were to apply Renovlies directly over these, those imperfections would show straight through in the final result. That is why we always take surface preparation extremely seriously: by thoroughly sanding and filling the walls first, we guarantee that tight, even plaster look.
How we get your walls truly Renovlies-ready
We recommend this package when the walls are already smooth. This is known in the trade as "paint-ready". Ready for Renovlies wallpaper straight away.
This package is recommended by your builder when intensive sanding is needed.
We don't believe in surprises after the fact. As soon as you have the key, we walk through your home together, TBA guidelines in hand, and carefully inspect the walls.
Has the contractor delivered a 'wallpaper-ready' wall that turns out to have too many imperfections in practice? Then we discuss any additional work for extra plastering clearly upfront. That way you know exactly where you stand financially.
Let us know whether your walls will be wallpaper-ready or shell only, and we will send you a tailored quote.
