DIY Construction in Japan: Paper Window Coverings

[Big Booger]

Yesterday I decided to repaper the window shades in my apartment. I am sure you know the type I am referring to:

http://www.rice-paper.com/usage/windowcovering.html

Well when I moved into my new place they were yellow and several of the panes had holes ripped in them. The previous tenant had told me all about it. I expected the apartment manager to replace them but they never did. And I don't feel like forking over 2man yen for a 2 hour job.

So I head to the home center, purchase all the goods and go to it. Yesterday I completed one and left the other for comparison/approval with my wife. I must say she was as happy as was I. It took forever to get the old nori off but I managed. Nori remover is essential in this project.

You have to rip off all the old paper and then use nori remover, soak it well, then with sponge or in my case a coarse scrubber (scotchbrite pad) go to town. If you are doing this indoors like me, I suggest towels, lots of them and have the sempuki ready.

Then you have to let it dry and wipe it down with a towel. After that you are ready to recover. Now this is the first time I've done any paper covering so it takes a moment to get the technique. But basically you lay the paper (comes in a roll) down. Then you roll it out, tape it evenly to one side (use three strips of tape) and then roll it to the other, cut it (make sure it overlaps about 1-3 centimeters), then you roll it back up to the taped side.

Glue time. Now some of you might get all nori-henna... you may think, oh I am just going to squirt glue all over the f'in place and lay down the paper.. hold your jock strap a minute. I glued one row of panes at a time and then stretched the paper out over the panes. You want it taut, don't ask me why but it just looks better. It should feel like a drum skin or something when you are finished. So make sure your three pieces of tape are strong so that you don't do like me and ruin about 100 centimeters of paper the first time with glue getting all over the place.

After the first row continue on and waiting a few minutes between rows for the glue to set. Then after finishing let it set for about 10-20 minutes so the glue fully sets.

Next you gotta do some trimming. I recommend getting a corner ruler. The ruler is like a half circle. It has a small handle on the top. It makes cutting out the paper very simple. You just place the ruler over the paper and the edge of the window frame. And with a sharp box cutter, or something similar, cut out along the frame edge. Take your time cutting so it looks neat. I did a shitty job the first go around.. second time I took my time and it looked much better.

That's it. Now you can have a new white paper lattice window that not only brightens up the place when closed but looks outstanding. It sure beats the hell out of that yellow crap that was there in the first place.

[GuyJean]

DIY Construction in Japan: Paper Window Coverings

For a minute there, I read 'DUI Construstion in Japan' and thouhgt is was going to be a social commentary..

Congrats on your new abode..

GJ