wallpaper over wallpaper???

[Keri]

Hi there. I think I am in the wrong area, as you all seem like pros, but I will try and I know you will help. I tried searching this, so if the answers are here, I apoligize.
I am a mom of 4 little ones, without the time or budget to pay someone to paint or wallpaper, but want to fix 2 outdated rooms in our 1960's colonial. A wallpapered dining room and a washroom. Local stores have told me to tear down the paper and then prime the walls, but I would RATHER, of course, skip a step. Can I really use a good sealer/primer and/OR paint over the wallpaper? which do you recommend? (this will all be done at nite when kids are sleeping so it seems overwhelming...!)
Also, I am looking for a great dining room wallpaper and love most Thibaut style or Pierre Deux papers, and they are in my price range...are there any others like that you recommend with that same French Country feel but not cheesy or dated like 80's wallpaper? I have googled it but there are limited websites it seems...
THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Frustrated in Connecticut, :)
Keri

[Gary Lucas]

Keri,

It's possible to paper over existing wallcovering, but it's almost never advisable. Years ago it was a common thing - back when wall paper was just that, paper. The vast majority of modern wall-coverings contain at least some vinyl which adds weight and adhesion problems. Two potential problems occur to me: one is the addition of moisture to the existing paper which can cause the underlying paper to release, the other is the potential of a poor bond between the layers of paper. My advice is to get the old paper and paste off before hanging new. You will run a high risk of job failure if you hang over the old paper.
:)
Gary

[Gary Lucas]

I forgot to add that here is a good place to look for paper online. http://www.decoratetoday.com/default.asp?si=6

Gary

[Chris Murphy]

Hi there. I think I am in the wrong area, as you all seem like pros, but I will try and I know you will help. I tried searching this, so if the answers are here, I apoligize.
I am a mom of 4 little ones, without the time or budget to pay someone to paint or wallpaper, but want to fix 2 outdated rooms in our 1960's colonial. A wallpapered dining room and a washroom. Local stores have told me to tear down the paper and then prime the walls, but I would RATHER, of course, skip a step. Can I really use a good sealer/primer and/OR paint over the wallpaper? which do you recommend? (this will all be done at nite when kids are sleeping so it seems overwhelming...!)
Also, I am looking for a great dining room wallpaper and love most Thibaut style or Pierre Deux papers, and they are in my price range...are there any others like that you recommend with that same French Country feel but not cheesy or dated like 80's wallpaper? I have googled it but there are limited websites it seems...
THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Frustrated in Connecticut, :)
Keri

Ma'am, I can certainly sympathize being a (destitute) homeowner and the father of little ones myself. Almost to a member, though, you're gonna hear that we advise stripping the old paper. It's not a matter of philosophy or logic, although what Gary told you are the reasons why. There's some "ifs" in there, but we have found that when WE tried it, sooner or later there was a problem. And worse, it then could not be fixed to anyone's satisfaction.

But hey- you've got good taste, and fortunately the money to spend on Thibaut- good looking stuff, hangs well. Don't throw good money after bad by paying for a quality product and putting it on a risky surface. This is your home, right? You want the best, or the best you can afford, but you can't afford to throw away that money; nor, with 4 kids, can you afford to waste the time!

Also consider bragging rights. Here you are, Mom with 4 young'uns, working yourself to the BONE to get your little castle in order. Let's just say that you devote the time and energy- lots of it, I know- to get this done, & right. What's hubby gonna do to top THAT?!

C'mon back and ask questions as you proceed. Good Luck!

[Bill Archibald]

Keri,

To throw a few more logs on the "preferred" method fire, let me relate a situation of a few years ago. The homeowners REFUSED to allow me to strip the old paper. Although exceptionally wealthy, they had been in New England too long and apparently caught the "thrifty bug". And they were only going to be in the house for a year. Against my pleadings and advice, the painters primed the old wallcovering with one of the better wallpaper preps and I installed the new paper. There were large areas where the old paper released from the wall and never re-adhered.

I also have another consideration for you. Down the road, someone will wish to strip the paper down to the bare walls. There is nothing worse than trying to strip paper with a coat of paint over it.

Now look at the bright side, I stripped a 12 X 15 room the other day and it only took one hour. Yes, a pleasant surprise, but when walls are prepared correctly and decent stripping methods are employed, stripping can be quick and painless.

good luck, we wish you the best.

-Bill

[Boston Hangman]

Why ? When the cost of wallpaper is higher than ever and you want to achieve the best results possible.

There have been some good points made here as far as the possible failure of the work, but a big part of it is that it looks awful too. Old designs, seams etc. can show thru not to mention Bill's bubble :deadhorse:

I appreciate trying to skip a step and/or making the job go faster. However,when I am asked to hang paper over paper...I walk. I do not bid that way.

When the industry gets to the point where I feel I cannot make a living by doing my job the correct way, I will look for a new line of work.

This is a lesson I learned hard as a young contractor trying to please the client. I pleased nobody , the client and myself included. :thumbup:

Mark

[Chris Murphy]

I agree, Mark. I too have done things at a customer's bidding that I later regretted. Not often, but it's happened, and many, many years ago.
I do not, however, regard taking risks at their bidding to be a "challenge." Prima donna? You'd have to be a good enough craftsman to know the difference.

[Bill Archibald]

Old designs, seams etc. can show thru not to mention Bill's bubble

BUBBLE ???!?!!. That weren't no stinkin BUBBLE. Large areas (measurable in square feet) of paper un-adhered to the wall. :banghead:

But a couple of things about doing the boss's (check writer) bidding, even against your better judgement and advice.

When what you predict comes true, the customer now realizes who the expert is and will consider your advice a little more seriously in the future. Nothing like a well earned, "I told you so" :2thumbs:
You now have more first hand experience from which you can speak with authority. Keri is more apt to believe what we say, because we have been there done that, than she is a store clerk who is only relaying second (or third) hand recommendations and probably hasn't hung too much wallpaper, if any.-Bill