Banishing Outdated Wallpaper in Your Lincoln Park Chicago Dream Home
You’ve found your Lincoln Park Chicago dream home, and it’s everything you’ve ever wanted. There’s just one small problem. The wallpaper is an eyesore. What are your options? How can you get rid of it? Why can’t you just paint over it?
Many people will tell you that painting over wallpaper is a bad idea. Why? You might feel an irresistible urge to just grab a can of paint and do it anyway. An honest painting contractor will probably advise you to remove old wallpaper before applying fresh paint. Aging wallpaper is especially challenging to remove because of the sticky goo it leaves on the wall.
In some cases, the walls beneath the ugly wallpaper are damaged. The longer the offending wallpaper remains in place, the more difficult the removal process can be.
Wallpaper can be a beast to take down, but most interior painting contractors will assure you that the results will be worth it. In fact, a wallpaper removal and painting project performed by a talented team of professional inside house painters can so transform your home that its value appreciates significantly.
On the other hand, unsightly wallpaper can give your home a dated look that reduces its market value. According to Sheila Newton, a veteran real estate agent in Anderson, South Carolina, “The more you leave unfinished, the less buyers will offer, and they will typically reduce the offer by more than it would have cost the homeowner to complete the work.”
It’s a pretty sure bet that if you find your existing wallpaper unsightly, it will be just as unsightly to potential buyers. Moreover, ugly wallpaper can annoy you on a daily basis whenever you stop to look at it.
Removing the source of the problem can have a powerful effect on your emotional well-being and your inner peace. After the project is completed, you might feel happy all the time. You can banish that distasteful wallpaper, and you should. What’s the point of living in your dream home when you don’t like how it looks? Here are some options to consider.
Remove It
If you choose wallpaper removal, do you want it done by experienced inside house painters, or will you do it yourself? A DIY job may seem like a bargain on the face of it. However, if you run into trouble, you might have to summon the professionals anyway. Remember, too, that if you try to remove wallpaper yourself, you could damage the sheet rock underneath.
There are other challenges. You’ll need a powerful adhesive remover and a decent scraping tool to remove all the residue. You can’t rush it, it’s not fun and it could take days. If the wallpaper is stuck to the drywall, it will be difficult to remove without gouging the drywall surface. If you discover multiple layers of old wallpaper after diving in, you might want to summon the professionals after all.
Repaint It
If you want a speedy resolution, you might be tempted to cover the gruesome wallpaper with paint and be done with it. Sometimes that works well, but not always. Here’s some guidance for optimizing your results:
The wallpaper should be in good condition and firmly attached to the wall. If there are any rips or peeling edges, glue them down and let them dry thoroughly before you start to paint.
You’ll need between two and three coats of paint to prevent the wallpaper from showing through. Painting over wallpaper works best when no more than two layers of wallpaper are involved.
Beadboard It
To avoid wallpaper removal altogether, consider beadboarding. You can cover everything up and create a whole new look. Beadboarding can be used to cover the lower half of a wall and combined with molding to create wainscotting. You can also create contrast by combining light-colored walls with dark-colored beadboard accents.
The material is a bit like paneling, but it’s easier to install and offers more options. Beadboard can be painted, and it comes in sheets that are relatively easy to cut and affix to the wall.
Repaper It
If the offending wallpaper is in reasonably good condition, your best option might be to cover it up with new wallpaper. Prep the walls by gluing down any peeling edges, and let the glue dry thoroughly before applying wallpaper.
Don’t rush the drying process. If the glue isn’t completely dry, the new wallpaper can bubble up and become stained by any remaining moisture. Are you capable of hanging wallpaper? According to multiple DIY websites, you are, but do you really want to? If you have the time and the patience to apply it properly, you should go for it.
On the other hand, if the very idea of applying wallpaper leaves you feeling stressed, you should probably let a reputable painting contractor handle it. Experienced interior painters hang wallpaper every day.
Live With It
Over time, that disagreeable wallpaper might grow on you. Some enterprising homeowners are able to make it less noticeable by focusing attention on other aspects of the house. Others strive to implement a compatible decor.
Let Fine Painting Do It
The interior painters at Fine Painting can help you choose the best way to eliminate disagreeable wallpaper. We can walk you through the process from initial contact to a dream come true.
We’ll develop a work schedule that’s convenient for you. We’ll complete our work without disrupting your life or making a mess. We are proud to have a proven track record of stellar customer service both in Lincoln Park Chicago and throughout Chicagoland. If you’re dreaming of walls without wallpaper, make that dream a reality. Call us now to schedule a consultation and receive a free estimate.