Fashion in home decorating can change quickly. What was fashionable one year will most likely cease to be fashionable within a few years. Several decades ago, wood wall coverings were all the rage. Living rooms, kitchens, and bedrooms were full of wood paneling in various styles and finishes. Today, that wood paneling from the 70s and 80s is generally considered to be very unwelcome by most homeowners and prospective homebuyers.
Wood wall covering is increasing in popularity once more; however, the finishes of the original wood paneling from 20 or 30 years ago are still not in style and completely date a living space. Removal of wood paneling is a time-consuming process that many people are unwilling to undertake. Furthermore, wood paneling does provide extra insulation which is welcome in any home. Happily, homeowners have the option of painting over their wood paneling or covering it with more attractive paneling that fits the decade that they are living in without having to sacrifice the extra insulation wood paneling provides. Finally, covering wood paneling eliminates the headache of trying to figure out how to dispose of the paneling, as well as the huge mess that results from a removal project and the ensuing cleanup.
You can either paint over the existing wood wall covering without any preparation aside from priming the walls beforehand, or you can fill in the wood paneling grooves for a cleaner look. Filling in the grooves with wood putty is very time-consuming and painstaking, but if done right, no one will even suspect that your house ever had wood paneling at one time. If you do not fill in the grooves, anyone scrutinizing your walls will see the telltale signs of wood paneling grooves and know that your wall was painted over.
High-quality wood putty is essential for filling in the grooves from dated wood wall coverings. Generally, it is advisable to purchase name-brand wood putty for this task. Fill in all grooves and holes in the wood paneling with a putty knife and allow to dry. Next, go over the entire surface of your wall with a sander, until the wall is completely smooth. You may need to retrace any possible holes that have been overlooked or become dislodged at this point, allow the putty to dry, and repeat the sanding process. Wipe the walls down with a damp rag to remove all dust and sawdust from the walls. Paint the walls with a primer to eliminate the chance of wood stain bleeding through the walls and into the paint. Finally, paint the walls with the paint color of your choice.
Wolf-Gordon can supply all your wood wall covering and other home designing needs. Visit in person at one of the following showroom locations: Los Angeles Showroom Pacific Design Center at 8687 Melrose Ave., Suite BM5 Los Angeles, CA 90069; Chicago Showroom Merchandise Mart at #10-161 200 World Trade Center Chicago, IL 60654;
paint over wood panels
