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You can wallpaper and paint over certain types of wallpaper, but it’s usually a better idea to remove it first. Removing the wallpaper and prepping the wall before painting is a good way to guarantee a smooth finish that looks professional. If you ever have a moisture or water issue after painting over wallpaper, the paper will bubble and damage your wall. Additionally, you should never paint over wallpaper already peeling or otherwise damaged, as this will leave obvious imperfections in your wall and could lead to additional problems.

It is less costly to paint than wallpaper when you only consider the upfront cost. Wallpaper costs $320 to $820 when applied by a pro, while paint only costs $200 to $700 per room. However, when comparing wallpaper versus paint, consider the long-term as well. Wallpaper can save you money over time since it has a much longer life span than paint.

Peel-and-stick wallpaper isn’t the best choice to cover wood paneling. Because paneling has a textured, uneven surface with grooves and peel-and-stick wallpaper has weaker adhesive than traditional wallpaper, you’d need to do a significant amount of prep work to get the wallpaper to lay flat and adhere properly. Peel-and-stick wallpaper works best on painted or primed drywall without a textured finish.

How long peel-and-stick wallpaper lasts depends on a few factors, including the conditions in the room, the quality of the wallpaper, and the wallpaper's application. As a general rule, peel-and-stick wallpaper can last for at least five years, but you may decide to remove it sooner. Under ideal conditions, it can also last for much longer.

Factors that may shorten the lifespan of peel-and-stick wallpaper include high humidity in a room (such as a bathroom), dirty walls, and low-quality paper.