Get matched with top wallpaper removers in Martin, MI

You can paint over wallpaper if it’s smooth and in good shape. But if there are bumps or tears in the wallpaper, they’ll likely show through the paint. Similarly, you should avoid painting over textured wallpaper because the ridges and patterns in the paper will be visible. In either of these situations, you should remove the wallpaper before painting.

No, you don’t always have to remove old wallpaper before applying a new layer. However, you should pull off the existing wallpaper if it’s cracked, peeling, or in poor condition. We’d also recommend against putting wallpaper over textured or dark-colored wallpaper because the old layer may be visible through the new one. In addition, if you try to hang new wallpaper over vinyl-coated wallpaper, the adhesive might not stick properly. 

Hiring a professional wallpaper hanger is usually a worthwhile idea because, while the application of wallpaper itself is easy, getting the finished product to look good is complicated and takes a lot of practice and patience. A professional wallpaper hanger will not only be able to hang your wallpaper seamlessly, but they will also get an even application of wallpaper paste to avoid bubbling and imperfections immediately and over time. Plus, they can provide their professional opinion on whether to remove or wallpaper over an existing layer of wallpaper.

It’s best to remove wallpaper rather than paint over it. You should only paint over wallpaper if removing it would damage the wall, the surface is relatively smooth, or there are minimal problem areas—such as slight peeling and lifted seams—that you can fix easily. Painting over wallpaper can save time, but it can create more problems if the wallpaper is in poor condition and you don’t properly prep the area for painting. Depending on the state of the wallpaper, color, and textures could show through, and moisture from the paint could loosen the adhesive, causing unsightly bubbling.