Breathable Wallpaper Paste

[skybloo1]

In the latter stages of our renovation project (brick built house, 1873 - limecrete/flagstone floor, cork and wood fibre board wall insulation, lime mortar throughout) and want to wallpaper one external wall.

LAP wallpaper paste seems to be unavailable now and the Earthborn paste is very expensive. I’ve come across Langlow All purpose paste - described as a traditional starch based paste. Spoke to manufacturer and they say it is breathable. Anyone used it?

https://palacechemicals.co.uk/shop/decorating-sundries/decorative-paints-adhesives/wallpaper-paste/

 

[Stevers]

This guy recommends LAP paste, as did the guy who lived two doors down from me thirty years ago who was into decorating properly.
https://traditionalpainter.com/do-i...y-wallpaper-paste-with-laura-ashley-wallpaper

Looks like LAP (marketed by Polycell) was probably a traditional paste (based on starch) whilst Polycell/Solvite types are likely to be cellulose based. Some tub adhesives have PVA added so you'd definitely want to avoid those. I've started my last bag of LAP and the Langlow All Purpose paste looks to be an option for me too. Quite intrigued that it should be produced by an outfit called PALace chemicals!

 

[Stevers]

Bartoline market a 'traditional' cold water wallpaper paste, and that may be easier to find, but I remain impressed that there was a useful human at Palace to talk to! All Purpose pastes that are described as 'flake' such as the one made by Leyland/Mangers and sold by our not very local decorators merchants in Weston may also be a substitute for LAP. Anyway, I think I'll be sorted now...

 

[fernicarry]

Whats the objection to cellulose based? I've seen these advertised as breathable.

 

[Stevers]

Surely they'd both be classed as breathable - although the chief damp proof wally for my house told me with a straight face that glass was porous, which I suppose it might be theoretically, but not in any other sense. So I think it boils down to preference for a traditional cornstarch paste as opposed to a modern cellulose paste. Both are glucose polymers, but if push came to shove a human should be able to digest a traditional wall paper paste, as long as any added fungicide didn't harm them!

https://www.vedantu.com/chemistry/difference-between-starch-and-cellulose

 

[skybloo1]

Having gone to lots of trouble chipping cement off the walls (previous owner had used to replace failed lime plaster) and then insulating with breathable materials, I am very wary of ruining everything by finishing with non-breathable materials. House has dried out beautifully!

Thanks for the useful advice. Will take a look at the alternatives you’ve mentioned but I’ve bought some of the Langlow via EBay and will give it a go. Fingers crossed.

 

[LadyArowana]

- although the chief damp proof wally for my house told me with a straight face that glass was porous, which I suppose it might be theoretically, but not in any other sense.

Personally I think ‘porous’ is an understatement.