Decorating can be a tricky business. It is all about accuracy and finishing touches which bring everything together to make or break a look. Take wallpapering for example, if the first drop of wallpaper you hang is not completely straight, none of the rest of the drops will be either and you’ll end up with slanting seams and maybe even a wonky pattern. Accuracy is also vital when it comes to other DIY projects such as painting. You need to ensure the paint only goes on the surfaces you want it to and that the finish is crisp and clean. In order to do this, there is one tool that any DIY decorator needs to have on hand – decorator’s tape. In this article we take a look at the most common types
tape for decorating and how they can be used.
Types of Decorator’s Tape
There are a number of different types of tape for decorating but the most commonly used by both professionals and novices is
masking tape. Masking tape is usually a neutral coloured tape made of paper which is easy to tear to allow it to be used without the need for scissors to be used. It comes in a range of widths and features pressure sensitive adhesive on one side. Masking tape comes in two main varieties, standard and low tack. Both are designed to be held in place by the built-in adhesive but can easily be peeled off surfaces without leaving a residue. These qualities make masking tape ideal for a variety of decorating tasks including both wallpapering and painting.
How to Use Masking Tape for Decorating
When it comes to actually using a
decorator’s tape such as masking tape, it has a wide range of uses. Here are just a few ways that you can use masking tape:
- To mark out straight lines when wallpapering – after using a spirit level to determine a straight line for wallpapering, it can be marked out with masking tape. This will allow you to line up your drop of wallpaper with the tape to ensure that the first piece you hang is perfectly straight. The masking tape can remain on the wall under the wallpaper or can be peeled away before the next drop is hung if desired.
- To line out panels – masking tape can be used to mark out panels on walls for painting or wallpapering. This is ideal for fashionable decorating effects such as feature areas on walls which are very big this season.
- Protecting cornices and skirting boards – masking tape can be used to mask off the edges of cornices or skirting boards, in order to ensure that they can’t get paint or wallpaper paste on them.
- Holding dust sheets in place – masking tape can be applied to the edges of dusts sheets to hold them in place, ensuring that no decorating mess gets onto your flooring, furniture or anywhere else it shouldn’t be.
Masking tape and other decorator’s tapes have a wide range of uses and are a must have item for any budding decorator.