How to Cover the Old Wall Panel?

Wood paneling was once one of the most popular design ideas, but it may now appear outdated or out of place. Fortunately, if you want to update your design but don’t want to go through the trouble of removing paneling from your walls. Then you may cover it for a fresh new look. Wood paneling can be covered with spackle and paint, shellac-based primer and paint, caulk, and wallpaper, or a wall liner.

Table of Contents

What is Wood Panelling?

Wood paneling is constructed of actual wood, engineered wood, wood veneer, or imitation wood. These sheets or panels are then put on walls to provide the appearance of wood, even on plasterboard or plaster walls. Wood paneling was a popular design style from the 1950s to the 1970s. However, it has been used in various ways since well before colonial times.

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Cost of Covering Wood Panelling

The cost of covering wood paneling varies depending on the method used. If you decide to paint over the paneling, it will cost you approximately $1,100 for labor and materials for one room. If you prefer to DIY, materials will cost roughly $150.

The average cost of placing wallpaper in one room is $560. It depends on the height of the ceilings, room size, and wallpaper choice.

How to Cover Wood Paneling

If you’re tired of your wood paneling and want a new appearance without having to remove it. There are several options for covering it up to match your design style and home decor.

Spackle and Paint

This four-step process takes somewhat longer than some of the other solutions on this list. However, painting wall paneling yields the most consistent results.

The Tools You Will Need：

Drop cloth
Painter’s tape
Paintbrush
Roller brush
Spackle
Putty knife
Sandpaper
Acrylic paint

Clean the Panels

Before proceeding, remove any dust and dirt from the panels. This will result in a smooth and consistent finish. Let dry thoroughly before proceeding to the next step.

Cover the grooves with Spackle

Apply spackle to the grooves evenly with a putty knife. Take advantage of this opportunity to cover any blemishes or holes caused by wear and strain. Allow the spackle to cure completely before sanding. To add texture, cover the walls in plaster between each stage to create a stunning faux finish.

Sand It Down

The amount you sand depends solely on your preferences. You’ll need to sand more if you want a smoother finish. If you want a textured, gritty appearance, you may not need to sand at all.

Primer and Paint

Use a hoover to remove any residual sanding dust. Use a roller brush to apply primer all over. Allow to dry, then apply your preferred paint color.

Shellac-based Primer and Paint

Using a shellac-based primer to cover wood paneling avoids the need for spackling and sanding. It’s slightly more expensive than a typical primer, but it’s worth every penny. This is because it hides the grooves better and takes less than an hour to dry.

Clean the Walls

If your walls have come into contact with any dirt or filth, the first thing you should do is wash them. Use a dish soap-and-water solution or a heavy-duty cleaner designed to remove filth, smoke, or other deposits.

Apply a Shellac-based Primer

Once the walls are clean, apply the primer in up and down strokes and allow it to dry for at least an hour. Make sure it’s totally dried before painting. Shellac-based primer will speed up your project by reducing the number of applications of paint required to cover the faux wood.

Caulk & Wallpaper

If you don’t want to do any further painting, wallpaper is an excellent option for covering up wood paneling.

Fill the Grooves with Caulk

The problem is that the wallpaper alone is not thick enough to completely conceal the grooves beneath. This problem can be quickly solved by filling the grooves with caulk. A putty knife will allow you to effortlessly apply caulk to the various grooves.

Sand It Down

After the caulk has dried, sand it down to give the wallpaper enough texture to stick to.

Hang the Wallpaper

After you’ve sanded, hang the wallpaper as you typically would in your home. Either by doing it yourself or hiring a local wallpaper professional to speed up the process.

Wall Liner

Wall lining is a thicker, more adhesive alternative to wallpaper. It covers the grooves in the paneling and allows you to eliminate the need for caulking altogether.

Install Wall Liner

Follow the manufacturer’s directions to secure the liner to the wall. Consider it as applying a smooth canvas that will allow you to start over with the decorating.

Apply Paint or Wallpaper

Once the liner is in place, apply a coat of color paint or a sheet of thin, decorative wallpaper. There are many amazing styles and textures to select from.

DIY vs. Hiring a Professional to Cover Wood Panelling

You can save a significant amount of money by going the DIY route for any of the options outlined above. Instead of paying for a professional’s labor to paint or hang wallpaper, you would only need to pay for the materials.

However, depending on the size of your room, the ceiling height, and the amount of prep work required, hiring a professional can save you a significant amount of time while providing high-quality results. A local interior painter can give your wood paneling a new look with a professional finish.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Paint Over Wood Panels?

Yes, you can paint over wood paneling, but it requires some preparation before applying the final coats of paint. Begin by thoroughly cleaning the walls, using either a heavy-duty cleanser or soap and water. Once dry, use a shellac-based primer, which is the only type of primer that will cling to wood paneling. Allow it to dry before applying one or two coats of paint.

What Type of Paint Do You Use on Wood Paneling?

Before painting, the walls must be prepped, which includes cleaning to remove any dirt and debris before applying a shellac-based primer. When you are ready to paint wood paneling, quality latex paint is the best option. This is because it is more durable compared to other forms of paint.

Can You Use Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper on Wood Panelling?

Peel-and-stick wallpaper is not the greatest way to cover wood paneling. Because paneling has a rough, uneven, and grooved surface, and because peel-and-stick wallpaper has a weaker adhesive than standard wallpaper. Therefore you will need to do a lot of preparation to get the wallpaper to lay flat and adhere correctly. Peel-and-stick wallpaper is best applied to painted or primed plasterboard without a textured finish.

How to Cover the Old Wall Panel?