Wood panelling - keep, remove, or paint it?

Question

What are your thoughts on what to do with wood paneling? If it's high quality, do you ever keep it and design around it? I have had some good experiences painting it in the past. What about removing it - does that require new dry wall behind it?

Any pictures of panelling that was kept (either painted or not) that look good would be appreciated; I'm trying to get some ideas.

Scott McGill · Answer

Had it in my new house. It didn't have any grooves between sheets of paneling just small cracks. I sprayed it with a texture gun and painted it. Looks great no one would ever know.

Account Closed · Answer

I had old paneling in the top floor of a story-and-a-half.  It was incredibly ugly, but I thought I'd give painting it a shot.  I sprayed on a layer of primer/sealer first.

My wife and I liked the end result, and it's held up well.  We've owned the home for about 2 years as our primary residence.  It was cheaper and faster than tearing it out and drywalling, and we ended up liking the look, so it worked for us.

Of course, it all depends on your situation, but thats my two cents.

And the before photo:

James Wise · Answer

depends on the situation.

are you trying to rehab and sell a house?

Remove it.

mid to low end rental?

Paint it.

David Krulac · Answer

Account Closed

For me it depends on the quality of the property.  Age, size, price range.  What we have been doing for most jobs is removing the paneling, its very dated, like 40 to 60 years old and gives a bad impression of the place.

We have been removing and in many cases have installed 1/4 inch drywall over the existing walls which are usually plaster.  That way the trim doesn't have to be removed or changed and the 1/4 drywall takes the place spatially of the removed paneling.

It makes the walls look new and smooth and covers the cracks in the plaster underneath.  But the plaster strengthens the walls and makes the 1/4 inch dw seem more substantial.

Most of the big box stores don't carry 1/4 inch  dw, so you may have to go to a building supply place that caters to contractors.  It is a lot lighter than 1/2 but if you are doing a lot have the place delivery and boom it to the second floor if you need it there.

Steve Babiak · Answer

I have a house where there was white and lighter tan colored paneling that I left in place as accent walls, since it was only on one wall in the rooms that had paneling; looked OK with SW Softer Tan paint on the other walls. I have had success with using compound over the panel grooves and then painting so that the wall was smoother; can't say what type of compound the contractor used.

If you have the really cheap panels with paper covering, remove it.

Jessica H. · Answer

It depends, if it is only a wall or two I would probably paint it especially if the home has a cape cod/ cottage style/feel to it. If it is whole house paneling I would remove if the home has a higher ARV, however you will likely have to sheetrock so you need to figure out how much it will pay off in the end. : )

Liam Goble · Answer

I have a house that is paneled throughout.  I've definitely had potential residents tell me that they wouldn't rent because a house had paneling.  The current family renting the house is in place for three years (PhD candidate).  They love the house, but I've got plans to slowly convert the entire house to drywall.

Kevin Fletcher · Answer

I agree with @Brian L. wood paneling is the worst. I'd remove it

Account Closed · Answer

I have painted it

I went to remove it once and the wall was rough so left the paneling on and I covered  it with heavy duty commercial wallpaper

it was the $300+ a roll type I picked up for $10 bucks a roll(I bought it all)

I also did a dining room that was panel I just covered top half of panel with the wall paper and left bottom like it was and added trim

Shawn Thom · Answer

Is this a flip or a rental?  i finished a mid range rental that had paneling, I painted it.

Wood panelling - keep, remove, or paint it?

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