Installation
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The MarkaWall product line provides excellent:

  • -wall to wall and floor to ceiling coverage
  • -Resurfacing for existing chalk/marker boards
  • -long seamless writing surfaces
  • -standard or custom whiteboard sizes
  • -installation is easy - Just like Wallpaper

The main line had 5 white surface types to meet your needs regarding writing, projection and cost.   
 
MarkaWall-Product-for-Surface-Overview

Installation in General:   Installation Video on Paste Products=>   Videos One   Two   

We obviously are not local to you but we provide the best advise and pricing on a wide range of  dry-erase and wall covering products.  We find that 98% of our customers have either a full time in-house tradesmen or an on call sub-contractor that can do a great job at a substantial savings over a specialized installer.     We suggest you show your tradesmen our installation instructions, if they have questions call us for more info.    If you need an installed price with installation we will provide a nominal trade discount to your installer so he can quote you the job complete with materials, so have him call us.

If you still can't find an installer call us and we will look through our sales records to find an installer in your area.

1.      What surfaces can our products be applied to?

99% of MarkaWall products are applied over primed drywall (minimum of level 4 finish required).  Level 4 is the same as for wallcovering.  This means three steps of drywall compound on all joints and it is one level short of completely skim coating the whole wall with compound. 

MarkaWall can be applied over most clean, smooth, and dry finishes, just like wallcovering.  Resurfacing chalkboards and applying over steel are our second and third most popular types of installations.  When going over steel, first see if the installer can use the pressure sensitive adhesive backed products.  Electro-galvanized, galvanealed or “Paintlock” steel are recommended for applications requiring steel backing.  Unlike regular galvanized steel, these do not have a dipped coating, so it is smooth and will not chip when sheared.  The matte finish allows a better bond to the steel.  It is recommended to use a rust inhibiting primer on the steel surface to prevent degradation/oxidation.   

Applying wallcovering to steel is similar to going over glass.  First, there must be a rust inhibiting primer on the steel.  Then a wallcovering primer/sealer needs to be applied.  Do not use latex primers, since the adhesive will remain wet for a long time, and this could loosen the primer.  Primers made for difficult to bond to surfaces will work best.  Most adhesives are not made to work over oil-based primers any more.  The installer will need to use a primer such as PROFESSIONAL R-35 over the base primer before pasting.  Vinyl over vinyl or low water content pastes will work the best, since the adhesive will be drying between two impervious surfaces.  

Chalkboards can be resurfaced with wallpaper or pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA).  Follow PSA directions for installation.  For wallpaper, determine what type of chalkboard you are covering.  For painted hardboard chalk surfaces, the surface can be cleaned, dried, and applied directly to the surface.  Porcelain chalkboards may require some type of adhesive promoting primer, since these are impervious surfaces.  Slate chalkboards can become smooth with age.  For this installation, the installer should follow the steel installation instructions.  

Any seams in chalk or steel surfaces should be filled or they will telegraph through the MarkaWall.  The seam should be cleaned thoroughly prior to filling.  Vinyl Spackle or auto body filler can be used to fill the seams.  Either filler will need to be primed with a paint similar in color to the chalkboard surface, spray enamels work well. 

Particleboard and hardboard can also be covered.  When applying to these surfaces they will need to be primed on both sides to prevent warping.  The surface will need to be smooth, so that imperfections in the sheet do not telegraph through the Markawall.  Paneling, textured surfaces and plywood are not recommended for resurfacing. 

2.      Does the wall require a prep coat before installing the Markawall?

Yes – as with most wallcoverings, we recommend a good quality acrylic primer/sealer when applying to drywall.  All primers should be applied with a roller and lightly sanded to remove all bumps and stipple marks. 

3.      What kind of knife do you use?

Any straight blade utility knife will work for trimming at ceilings, sidewalls, baseboards, and other obstacles (such as electrical outlets).  For double cutting, we recommend a double seam-cutting tool, such as a “Seam Buster”.  This type of tool allows the installer to double cut the seams without cutting the drywall liner paper.  Change blades often for cleaner cuts.  Sherwin Williams may stock this item.  You can try Warner Mfg part #64 double seam cutter  (877)927-6378.  Advanced Equipment (773)287-8220 #5101.

 4.      What about air pockets?

During installation, air pockets should be gently pushed out from under the Markawall.  This should be done with a plastic smoothing blade (wrapped with a clean soft cloth – to prevent scratching the dry erase surface) or another similar type of tool.  Even pressure should be used and air should be moved out away from seam toward the edges.   

NEVER pop air pockets with a pin or other sharp instrument.  This will cause permanent damage to the surface. 

5.      Can you apply Markawall over particleboard or chipboard?

Yes, however it should be a clean and smooth surface.  Imperfections in the surface may show through (telegraph) and become visible to the writing surface.  The back of the board should also be primed to help prevent against warping. 

6.      What type of adhesive do you recommend to install the material?

MarkaWall does not recommend any specific brand of adhesive, only that it should be heavy-duty clay or heavy duty clear for most installations.  Both should be of a good commercial grade.  The adhesives are best to be premixed and they should be used at full strength (not diluted). 

When installing over impervious surfaces, such as laminates, chalkboards, or markerboards, the use of a Heavy-Duty Vinyl Over Vinyl Adhesive is recommended. 

7.      How long can you leave material overlapped before you double cut?

The length of time will vary depending on a variety of factors: 1) heat, 2) humidity, 3) the type and the amount of adhesive being used, and 4) what type of primer or substrate is under the Markawall. 

8.      Can I use the pressure sensitive-adhesive backed products over drywall?

We only recommend using the pressure sensitive adhesive over impervious surfaces, such as laminates and steel.  Since water is recommended for installation, the substrate must not absorb the water. 

9.      Do you recommend professional installers hang the material or can anyone do it?

Professional wallcovering installation is recommended – especially for larger applications.  Step-by-step installation instructions are shipped with each order. 

The material is only as good as the installation.  A professional installer is experienced to better handle and install the MarkaWall material. 

10. Can you apply new Markawall material over existing Markawall vinyl?

Yes, but you will need to thoroughly sand the film surface to break through the dry erase film.  This will allow the adhesive to bond to the vinyl as with vinyl-to-vinyl installations.  Applying wallcovering over wallcovering does not retain the same fire rating as the original surface.   

Nu×vu×wall may be more difficult to install over, since it has a light textured emboss in the surface.  Sanding and priming may fill this emboss. 

In most instances, it is more cost effective to strip the existing material, re-prep the wall, and install the new material, rather than to prep the existing and apply over it. 

11. When applying self-adhesive material, do you suggest using soap and water with the application?

Yes, pre-wetting the substrate surface with a soap and water solution allows the installer to move the markawall into place.  DO NOT APPLY markawall SELF ADHESIVE PRODUCTS DIRECTLY TO DRYWALL. 

12. How would you cover chalkboards with markawall material?

First you would thoroughly clean the boards and let them dry completely.  Then patch any holes and bridge any seams with vinyl spackle or auto body filler, then primed.  The primer’s color should closely match that of the chalkboard to prevent any show through.  Finally, follow instructions for applying self-adhesive vinyl to chalkboards – which is recommended, or for woven or scrim backed material, follow directions in Question # 1. 

13. Is it necessary to wet the paperback material before installation?

No, just apply wallcovering adhesive to the wall and install the material.  Wet backing will actually help dilute the adhesive, and weaken the bond. 

14. Does the wall have to be all in one color paint?

The color of the wall should be one uniform color across the area to be covered.  markaWall wallcovering may allow show through due to the limited amount of opacity.  The color is not as important, as long as it is uniform. 

15. Can you wrap Markawall around corners?

Yes – Short returns and long returns around the corners may need to be installed differently.  For tight wraps like reveals, the installer may need to use a more aggressive adhesive like contact adhesive or a 3M spray adhesive around the corner.  The Markawall should be creased to form the corner being careful not to rub through the dry erase film.  Lightly heating the material will also help around the corner, but this should not be done with the nu×vu×wall (the heat will remove the embossing).

MarkaWall does not recommend installing just×wall or mag×wall  products around outside corners.  The heavy weight of these materials will not allow for tight corner wraps. 

16. Do you dry or wet hang the markawall?  Can it be run through a pasting machine?

We recommend dry hanging the markawall for better handling.  Wet hanging will usually require a pasting machine.  The material can be scratched or kinked going through a pasting machine.  This can happen when the pasting machine has old paste or imperfections on the rolls.  Also, the paste typically needs to be watered down for pasting machines.  We do not recommend watering down the adhesives.   

An experienced installer who knows how to properly handle the markawall may use either method.  Care should always be used no matter what method of installation is used.  Kinking, scratching, or creasing the material must always be considered when handling the markawall.  Improper handling can cause permanent damage to the material. 

17. Can you hang markawall over existing wallcovering?

Yes – The markawall installation will only be as good as what is underneath it.  Textured wallcoverings may telegraph the pattern through the markawall.  This type of installation does not maintain the Class A fire rating of the markawall.  If this type of installation is done, it is the same as hanging vinyl over vinyl.  The wallcovering to be covered must have an even pattern or color or this may show through the face of the markawall.  The existing wallcovering must have a good initial installation. 

18. Can you mix different widths of the same markawall material?  For example, can you use just×wall 48” with just×wall 60”?

No – Just as with commercial wallcoverings, all materials should be from the same run or die lot.  The different widths of the markawall materials do not come from the same die lot, and therefore they should not be mixed. 

19. Can I install a new piece of markawall to an existing piece previously installed?

No – All seams should be double cut.  You cannot double cut against a previously installed piece of wallcovering.  Also, we cannot guarantee a color match to the old piece, if a new piece is required. 

20. Do I need to double cut seams?

To get the best possible seams, they should be double cut.  Butting together factory edges will not give you an appealing seam.  A double cut seam will look much better than a butt factory edge seam. 

21. Can I hang markawall vertically or does it have to be hung horizontally?

Either way the material is installed is acceptable.  We recommend horizontal installations, since this is the best installation for the user.  Horizontal installation moves the seams out of the largest writing area

Markawall can be hung over existing vinyl.  The existing vinyl needs to be smooth and have no texture to it.  If it is a vinyl dry erase material the top dry erase film needs to be sanded off.  The material needs to be cleaned really well, primer applied, then a vinyl over vinyl adhesive from Home Depot, Lowes, or Sherwin Williams. 

Please note we do not recommend hanging Markawall vinyl over vinyl

There are several reasons:

1. The material warranty is voided
2. The Fire Rating is voided
3. The existing adhesive behind the original piece can fail due to the weight of the second piece or material and new adhesive and pull away from the wall and all material can fall down.


 

Contact Information
 

Telephone (860)632-2026
 
FAX (860)632-2028
 
Postal address140 West Wynd Terrace Middletown, CT 06457
 
Electronic mail
General Information: Sales@ahutton.com
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Customer Support:  Jen@ahutton.com
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