Double-sided tape as an alternative to drilling into walls

Cosmetic renovations in the new apartment were nearing completion. But the gray, faded and boring rooms did not inspire at all. They lacked comfort, any originality, and lacked colors. I wondered how I could correct the situation and liven up the interior a little. The decision came naturally. Hanging a couple of paintings on the walls, a panel purchased in transition, a new mirror is a great idea. Everything was at hand. In addition to the hammer drill, hammer and nails. As it turns out, you can do it without tools. You can attach paintings and other decorative elements to the walls using double-sided tape.

Features and benefits of double-sided tape

A tour of nearby hardware stores yielded an unexpected result. It turns out that double-sided tape is not just sticky tape with an adhesive layer on both sides. The materials vary in basis. In order to hang a picture or mirror on the wall, you need to choose from the following types of tape:

• polypropylene - suitable for uneven surfaces, fastening various products with complex configurations, has a thickness of 0.5 mm, due to the PP base it ensures reliable contact;
• special - an excellent option for fastening large and heavy objects, does not deform under the influence of high temperatures, and has a fairly high price;
• for vertical installation – used for attaching mirrors and hanging moldings;
• with a fabric base - a durable and reliable tape, made of cotton or synthetics;
• baseless - has an adhesive transfer layer that glues under the influence of high temperature.

Attention! Any hardware store will have paper-silk tape in its assortment, but it is better to avoid such a purchase. Adhesive tape has an unreliable and easily torn base with weak adhesion. It is only suitable for gluing paper or photographs.

Double-sided adhesive tape is available in several standard sizes: 4 mm, 6 mm, 9 mm, 12 mm and 19 mm. I have noticed that the larger the decorative element that needs to be mounted on the wall, the wider the adhesive tape should be. The advantages of double-sided tape include:

• economical consumption;
• unlimited shelf life;
• tightness;
• low cost compared to other materials intended for fastening and connecting various elements;
• resistance to the negative effects of UV rays, moisture, chemicals.

Attention! Before buying adhesive tape, I advise you to decide on its thickness, so I recommend taking into account the maximum gap between the wall and the decorative element. A thick tape will fill all the depressions and irregularities formed between the surface and the painting, mirror or panel.

How double-sided tape can help you avoid drilling into walls

Before starting work, you need to remove dust from the surfaces and degrease them using a 50% aqueous solution of isopropyl alcohol or acetone. If the wall is painted or covered with wallpaper, it is better to avoid this method. It will be enough to treat the decorative elements on the reverse side with a degreaser.Follow this plan when working with double-sided tape:

• cut strips of the desired size in advance;
• distribute the pieces of tape over the surface at a distance of no more than 5 cm from each other;
• peel off the protective paper without touching the sticky layer with your hands;
• Gently but firmly press the painting against the wall and hold it for 3-4 minutes.

I advise you to pay attention to the temperature in the room. Ideally, it should be no lower than +17° C, because the higher the temperature, the faster the object sticks to the surface. By following these simple tips, you will decorate your apartment in minutes, without much effort. You will succeed!