Layers of wallpaper - add another layer, or strip?

15 years ago

How would you handle this scenario:

We are closing up on a large renovation in our home and are preparing for our new floors to be laid, including carpet in our Family Room (FR).

Our FR used to be used as a dining nook and a FR, and now we will use the whole thing as FR. The walls are one color on the old DR side and another color on the old FR side. We also have two doorways that were closed off. So, before we have our lovely new carpet laid, I I need to address the walls.

They are part plaster and lathe, part drywall (from previous owners) There are 2 layers of wallpaper on the walls. I have determined that the easiest way to deal with the walls is to hang paintable textured wallpaper, perhaps in a plaster pattern, and paint it.

Should I strip the two layers off first, or just go ahead and put another layer on? I am planning on this being my last layer of wallpaper for the rest of our time in this home, as if I change my mind again on decor, I'd like it to just mean another layer of paint.

I am thinking that the two layers of wallpaper that is there currently just might be holding the plaster together, so why create a big mess by pulling it off (along with hunks of plaster possibly.) Does this sound reasonable?

One concern I have is seams from the previous layers of wallpaper showing through this next layer, but, I am hoping the textured surface of the new wallpaper would hide this.

As I said, I would be using a texture that resembles plaster hoping to keep to our "farmhouse" style somewhat.

What do you all think?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (13)

PRO
Christopher Nelson Wallcovering and Painting
15 years ago
IMO it is always better to remove the paper and get back to the original wall surface, repair as needed and start fresh.
kec01
15 years ago
I agree with christophern - get rid of the old first and repair the walls properly and as needed.
Related Discussions
Stripping very THIN layer of paint off woodwork...
Q
Comments (3)
Depending on what the finish was before the paint you might be able to break the bond using a steam cleaner. First I would check the finish on the unpainted portions of the door to determine if it's varnish (solvent for that is mineral spirits or turps) or shellac (solvent for that is alcohol). If the wood-colored parts are covered with varnish I think you'll have an easier time breaking the bond. Shellac might be harmed by the steam. And maybe you'll get lucky and have varnish topped with latex paint. That's the easiest pairing to crack. However, depending on how old your house is the wood grain "takes your breath away" may be faux graining, not the actual wood pattern. In my c. 1840 NY house much of my woodwork had this treatment, and has since been painted. I can see where it was done, perhaps as practice, on the back sides of doors. Grain painting present special challenges as the graining may have been done with one medium, then topped by another to protect, maybe not. In historic restoration projects I have read of successful cleaning and restoration of faux grain painting, but I imagine it's very fussy work. And just as aside to anyone playing around with alcohol solvents. I recently acquired several liters of grain alcohol to use in cleaning books and have experimented with it on shellac-finished furniture and been amazed at how easy it is to work with compared to denatured alcohol. I think it is higher proof, so perhaps a more ready solvent. It's not cheap, and hard to find - and may be illegal in some states, but it's worth looking into. I live in NY, and can't buy it here, so I go to Vermont and special-order it at State Liquor Stores. You have to fill out several forms and sign an affadavit that it's not for human consumption (only for scientific, educational or research purposes). I just stated I was using it for cleaning books and antiques and the form came back approved along with my order of the stuff. The clerk in the liquor store said they had had to remove if from sale because college kids were using it to create something called Jello-shots, which sound vile. I don't think that's quite what the intended educational use is, though! Molly~
...See More
stripping wallpaper to paint walls - nail heads?
Q
Comments (5)
This is all speculation because I can't see you house, but: it sounds like you have drywall under the bathroom paper and when you peel the wallpaper off, you're taking some of the drywall facer with it. You might have plaster walls in the kitchen which is why there is no facer to peel and you didn't see any nail heads. The "paper bag" surface will be difficult to smooth and finish to prepare for paint. In correcting this you will have to cover the nailheads. It is time consuming but can be done. (I did it in my old house when I remodeled the bathroom). An alternative to preparing the existing walls for paint is to install new drywall over the old. good luck
...See More
Can I add another layer to drapes?
Q
Comments (7)
I would not advise to add another layer unless that layer be some type of very lightweight sheer overlay. You did not say if they are pleated drapes. If there are pleats, that complicates how you might attach an over layer. A sheer overlay could be artistically tacked onto the finished drapes, but anything else might be problematic and too, too heavy. Some type of sheer with vivid colors will show very well in front of the white fabric. It could be a very artistic approach to your problem. I have white linen curtains in my bedroom. What I did was to add a trim along the edge as you have considered. My trim and my curtain are both finished apart from one another. I attached the finished trim by using some large, antique mother of pearl buttons from great grandma's button box. I used maybe 6 or 8 large buttons down the length, spaced evenly with the top button being at the very top of the edge. Sewing the buttons onto the trim through the fabric of the curtain allowed me to attach the trim to the edge. One thing that I like very much is that this gives me an element to my curtains that can be easily changed when I tire of the color, or change things around. I can make another button secured band in a completely different fabric and not have to remake the entire curtain. And, it requires so little fabric. There are many other things that you could use instead of large buttons and many other manipulated fabric bands that you could create. Google "manipulated fabric" and you will find artistic creations of all manner. And, there are other ways to attach a decorative band to the edge of the curtain besides buttons. The band does not carry any weight and it does not have to be structural. You can really have an element that lends itself to many different expressions as long as the basic curtain is to your liking. Ideas are abundant for such! One piece of advise if you are going to do this is that I felt that my finished band needed some real body in it. I interlined it. It is only about 5 inches wide, but having some stability to the edge of the otherwise lined curtain did seem to give me nice results. That would not preclude you from using some type of decorative band make from twisted and manipulated sheer fabric, for instance. Only you might find it good to run that band on some type of firm backing material before attaching it. Really, the design possibilities are endless! and inexpensive. I am very pleased with my results and my linen curtains are an investment. Of course, I sewed them myself. I pay attention to protecting them from the direct sun by using wooden blinds behind them. A direct exposure to hot sun can eat a lining fabric.
...See More
Layering/ Air-Layering/ Marcotting (another name for air-layering)
Q
Comments (3)
There's other kind of layering, for specific plant, or for specific purpose. For papaya, half cut the trunk will work. For big branch fruit plants or bonsai that need big interesting root, big root grafted to branch then air layered is doable.
...See More
homebound
15 years ago
Since you mention "ease" and limiting mess issues, you might as well know that peeling the paper is neither, so lower your expectations accordingly.

Peel paper, remove glue (steam or chemical), wash wall, patch and sand wall as necessary, prime wall....new wallpaper.

After all that, I'd consider painting.
gardenwebber
Original Author
15 years ago
Homebound - the problem with just painting is that it is part drywall, part horsehair plaster/lathe and also two door patches in the mix. DH would be doing all the repairing and he is not "into" trying to restore all the surfaces to match and be paintable.

That is why I am considering the textured wallpaper. Chris and kec - what is the reasoning behind peeling off the old layers - what will it do for my final surface that makes it a must?

Someone suggested just trying a couple strips over the current wallpaper and seeing how it looks before I proceed. I may just do that.
gardenwebber
Original Author
15 years ago
Homebound- Just re read your post, and I think I misunderstood you. When you said "after all that, consider painting" you didn't mean over the plaster walls, you did, indeed, mean, paint over the NEW textured wallpaper, correct?

I am having a hard time deciding if this is a good idea or not.
powermuffin
15 years ago
I would always remove the old stuff and start fresh. I wouldn't assume that the walls are in bad shape either because wallpaper was all the style in the days of lath and plaster. I've removed all the paneling and several layers of wallpaper to find beautiful plaster walls. I had to patch nail holes, but it was so worth it. While doing it, I cursed all previous owners that choose to put wallpaper over wallpaper, seven layers deep. :]
Diane
gardenwebber
Original Author
15 years ago
Ok - a small update. I went to our local paint/wallcovering store and she said while it is possible to put another layer on (after gluing down any lifted areas) that it would be best if I stripped and then re-papered. She then showed me a book with textured papers in it that were already colored, and she pointed out a gorgeous plaster look-alike that I loved, and it will eliminate the step of painting for me, which frees up more energy and time for me to strip the wallpaper.

I don't know why it didn't dawn on me to find a textured paper that was already finished instead of the type that needs paint. DOH!

But, anyways... I think that is the way I am leaning - strip the current layers, re-paper in a faux plaster wallcovering.
homebound
15 years ago
To clarify, if you are going through all the trouble to remove old paper and then prep, etc. then you might as well skip the wallpaper afterward and finish by priming/painting instead.

But if you opt to apply wallpaper over the existing (and then painting it), then try sanding down the wallpaper seams first if they're prominent.
PRO
Christopher Nelson Wallcovering and Painting
15 years ago
strip the current layers,

That is the way to go.

Here is a link that might be useful: stripper
chisue
15 years ago
I agree with homebound. Wallpaper won't look good unless the walls are smooth and free of old paper. Once you prepare properly, why not paint?

The last dealings I had with wallpaper involved removal before selling a house, and that was ten years ago. Buyers don't want wallpaper! Even more, they don't want your taste in wallpaper.
gardenwebber
Original Author
15 years ago
Chisue - my reasoning for not painting is in my OP. The walls are part horsehair plaster, part drywall, and also includes two doorpatches and DH is not interested in the slightest in the work it would take to get them all to match. Using a wallcovering is the easiest solution for us.
m_broihier
2 years ago
I am dealing with the same sort of wall. Two layers of wallpaper with a layer of paint in between. The original paper is fifty years old. I have removed one wall (drywall) of wallpaper layers and have damaged the wall due to too much water on it trying to scrape it all off.. I'm DAYS into this. I am considering putting a third layer of wallpaper on the remainder and being done with it. I figure that removing the original layer of paper was too difficult and that's why they put up the second layer, so why am I slaving over it trying to remove it all? I say paper over it. Life is too short.
cat_ky
2 years ago
You do realise that you posted this on a 13 yr old post, dont you. I am sure the op has long ago, finished her walls.

Layers of wallpaper - add another layer, or strip?

Comments (13)

Christopher Nelson Wallcovering and Painting

kec01

Related Discussions

homebound

gardenwebber
Original Author

gardenwebber
Original Author

powermuffin

gardenwebber
Original Author

homebound

Christopher Nelson Wallcovering and Painting

chisue

gardenwebber
Original Author

m_broihier

cat_ky

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Layers of wallpaper - add another layer, or strip?

Comments (13)

Related Discussions

gardenwebberOriginal Author

gardenwebberOriginal Author

gardenwebberOriginal Author

gardenwebberOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

gardenwebber
Original Author

gardenwebber
Original Author

gardenwebber
Original Author

gardenwebber
Original Author