Are you stuck trying to figure out what to do about your ugly, wallpapered walls? Removing it might damage the walls but leaving it might ruin the paint job.
Looks like the wallpaper isn’t the only thing up against a wall!
Don’t worry, we’ve got answers for you. If you’re faced with the challenge of redecorating wallpapered walls, use this guide on when and how to paint over wallpaper.
The Challenge of Painting Over Wallpaper
First, let’s get an overview of the problem at hand. You’re set on repainting the interior of your home, but the wallpaper’s in the way. Do you remove the wallpaper before you paint, or leave the wallpaper and paint over it?
Both options have their disadvantages. Here’s what can go wrong.
The Disadvantages of Removing Wallpaper Before Painting
Wallpaper only lasts a certain number of years before it starts cracking, peeling, or otherwise deteriorating. Of course, this would ruin any paint job you layer on top of it.
It would seem then, that removing the wallpaper before painting makes the most sense. However, before you jump the gun, here are the disadvantages of removing wallpaper you should consider first.
It Takes a Lot More Work
Removing the wallpaper means adding a whole other project to this home improvement effort.
That means a lot more work on your part, and challenging work at that. Removing wallpaper is slow, careful, tedious work.
It Costs More Money
Also, mistakes, or even bad luck, can be costly. Improper wallpaper removal can damage your walls.
The wallpaper may have adhered so securely that when you peel it off, it takes the drywall with it. Then you’ll have to spend more time, and more money, to repair them.
It might be a better idea to hire expert help. Either way, removing wallpaper before painting will cost you more upfront.
It Requires More Time
Since this is so time-consuming, it also means a much longer time until your walls are complete. Especially when you peel away layer after layer of wallpaper only to find more underneath.
It Makes You Want to Cry
Even worse, it’s ugly work. For the entire duration of the project, you’ll have to put up with torn up walls that are even more unsightly than the wallpaper was in the first place. So, if you plan on removing wallpaper from your walls, don’t plan on hosting any dinner parties for a while.
The Disadvantages of Painting Over Wallpaper
Considering all the above, leaving the wallpaper on the wall and simply painting over it seems like the easiest option, and in many instances it is.
However, it’s not always a good idea. This approach comes with problems of its own.
It’s Not a Good Idea for Full Bathrooms
Wallpaper in a full bathroom gets a lot of exposure to moisture. Steam from hot showers and baths assault the wallpaper regularly.
This weakens the adhesion of the wallpaper. Eventually, it causes the wallpaper to peel away from, or slowly slip down the wall.
In other words, it shouldn’t be there in the first place. Since you’ll eventually be removing it anyway, you may as well do it now before you paint.
Sometimes You Can’t
If there’s already something wrong with the way the wallpaper is attached to the wall, paint isn’t going to fix it. If there are bubbles under the wallpaper due to improper application, these will be just as noticeable under a new coat of paint.
Actually, patterned wallpaper sometimes hides these imperfections. Painting a solid color over the pattern can make bubbles or wrinkles even more noticeable. The same is true when you paint over wallpaper that’s torn, peeling, or otherwise deteriorating.
Plus, these problems usually get worse over time, causing the paint to chip off. In this case, you’ll end up removing the wallpaper later, anyway. Then you’ll have to repaint all over again.
Texture Can Be an Issue
Textured wallpaper can cause a similar problem. Usually, the surface of the textured wallpaper follows the same pattern as the colors printed on it. Both the print and the texture are designed to look good together, and only together. In most cases, the texture’s pattern looks downright strange if you paint over it.
Even if you like the pattern and think it would look good with a solid color over it, it won’t look the same painted over. The texture of the paint itself changes the surface of the wallpaper. The thick paint will fill in little holes or dimples in the pattern, removing all the fine details.
The result will not merely look like a recolored version of the original texture. It will be a different texture entirely, and probably not a good one.
The Breakdown
Now that you’re up-to-speed on the details, here’s the simple breakdown of when you should remove the wallpaper, or paint over it.
When Should you Remove Wallpaper?
Remember, removing wallpaper is a horrible, horrible project. It’s best not to remove wallpaper unless you need to. That said, you definitely should remove it when:
- It’s in a full bathroom, kitchen, or other high-moisture room
- There’s already a problem with the adhesion of the wallpaper
- The wallpaper is already deteriorating
- There’s any kind of textured pattern on it
If any of these describe the wallpaper you’re planning to paint over, it’s best not to chance painting over it. Remove the wallpaper first.
When to Paint Over Wallpaper
Whenever possible, painting over wallpaper is a far better option. If any of your wallpaper doesn’t fit the checklist above, you’re better off painting over it.
However, there are reasons you might consider breaking those rules. The biggest ones are time and money. If you don’t have time to chip away at your wallpaper, and don’t have money to pay a professional, you could be tempted to paint over problem wallpaper.
We still advise you not to though. Paint won’t likely solve the problems you have. You’re better off leaving the wallpaper and saving up for professional wallpaper removal.
Heed These Words
Painting over wallpaper is case-specific. Don’t shoot yourself in the foot painting over bad wallpaper.
Also, wallpaper removal is a troublesome job and a huge commitment. Don’t bite off more than you can, or even need, to chew.
Much like when choosing exterior colors for your house, it will take a lot of time and planning in order to pull off perfectly.
Using these tips you should have no problems finding the right exterior painters and will certainly save time, money, and headaches in the future. If you would like to receive a free quote, please contact us today!