I'm looking at a house with old 1970's dark paneling. Would it be cheaper to remove old paneling and put new rock up or would it be ok to put 1/4 inch rock over paneling.
Do you know what's beneath the paneling? If it's sheet rock then I'll rather remove the paneling. In any case, I would never consider putting sheet rock on the top of paneling. If the "darkness" is the main concern and would rather just primer and repaint it in desirable color and be done with it.
ok now we're into my area. i'm a contractor by trade. if you're gonna put sheet rock up go ahead and pull the paneling down.why? you ask , well there are a few reasons. if you're doing an outside wall it will let you know what kind of shape other things are in (insulation, wiring, phone lines etc.) plus if you go right over it and there is already sheet rock under the paneling you just wasted all that time and money. just try and be careful when you pull the paneling off
for one quick room i did a few months ago, i pulled a piece of the paneling up and saw the condition of the drywall underneath (wallpaper on it) and decided against taking it down - so i just drywalled right over it. much faster but maybe not technically correct. besides, i figured it'd help insulation a bit. it did make for a funky looking outlet on that wall ... hahaha. a sunken one - but i eventually got it moved back out to the wall's new surface.
i hate cleaning wallpaper off of the old drywall even when it's in good condition. but fyi, i mostly do take it down and start from scratch. like said above, this is a great time to check/update/change the innerworkings of the wall.
ccmorgan- I think your question asked what was cheaper, if money is the central issue then there is no doubt, drywalling right over the panelling is going to be cheaper.
I prefer to take off the old panelling and see what is underneath,if it is not worth saving then I demolish down to the studs and put up new 1/2" drywall.
I have a few things for you to consider before making your decision. First of all, applying drywall over the panelling will be harder than it seems. You are adding thickness to the wall and will have to extend door and window jambs before putting the trim back on even if you go with 1/4". Then for outlets and switches you will have to add "mud-rings" to the boxes and re-install switches and outlets so they won't look recessed when you put the plates back on. Any outside corners will also have to be trimmed somehow to cover the edge of the drywall. Baseboards will have to be trimmed a little as you are making the room smaller. Another option is to just remove the panelling, but it might be glued with liquid nails and you'll have to scrape it and patch it, Not a big deal. I would probably gut it to the bare studs, make sure the insulation is good,check the electrical and install new drywall. It is actually pretty easy and you can probably re-use the trim. I hope this helps.
durabond5 - what is the difference in work with removing the panelling or sheet rocking over it in regard to the molding and electrical?
Panelling is 1/8-3/8 inches thick, whether you remove it and sheet rock over the studs or sheet rock over it you still have the same issues in regard to boxes and molding.
i think either way the cost will be about the same whether you pull the paneling off or not, because you're still gonna pay to buy the sheet rock. if you go right over the paneling you're gonna have to use longer screws (which cost more)and hope that they anchor into something well enough to hold. if you pull the paneling off and there is ugly wall paper why bother with removal? just paint over the wall paper.
[addsig]
Are you going to be living there? Is It a rental? A rehab to flip? I think these are all important questions. We all know the best and most exspensive and dirtiest way to do this is remove and replace. That way you are able to fix the problems that you can not see with the paneling in place. That being said. I am not a fan of doing this type of work on a house that I am living in (if that is the case). If you can live with the mistery of what is behind panel number 3 then I would just sheetrock over what you have. The easiest and cheapest (other than painting) thing you can do if astetics is your only concern is apply a heavy duty wallpaper specially made to go over paneling. Only you know if the price is right
In the past I have painted panelling and it looked great!
On a rehab it is all about looks, if you can make it look good cheap then do it!
No-one cares about whether it has new electrical or insulation. It is the woman that buys the house and she cares about how it looks
[addsig]
Thanks everyone for your replies. The rehab will be a flip and if it was just one or two rooms I would just paint but I think I should justm tear down paneling and up new rock over studs. I think this will make for better showing when I'm ready to sell.
Michael
A flip is best described as turning your newly purchased or contracted house over to someone who will rehab it. So in your case it doesn't sound like a flip but a rehab project with a sale at the end of the rehab.
On a flip you would do nothing to the property but get it and release it from your hold to another.
We were faced with very ugly paneling on a rehab we did three years ago. I was determined to stick to my budget. I didn't spend a dime more than I had to. We painted with a bright clean enamel. I know this sounds crazy, but I liked it. We rented the units out quickly and the tenants have never complained.
If you go over it with sheetrock, you are going to have all the problems mentioned above. I think I would do a mix of things. Many houses have a room or two that have paneling that has been painted. Painting a couple of rooms should save you a lot of work without hurting resale. I would paint a couple of rooms and then rip out the rest.
Paint panelling!!! Ugh! Not only does it look like crap, but if you're going to do it right, you have to spackle the slits and sand it down to get a uniform surface. Tear it down and do it the right way.
It may cost you a few extra bucks, but just remember, the work you do reflects who you are, and that will ultimately contribute to your reputation.
When a potential buyer walks into that home and sees panelling or painted panelling, his first thought will be "That crap's gotta go". That little bit of work that he'll need to do may sway his decision against buying the home. Bottom line is, no one wants panelling. It's as dead as fake brick-facade. Do the drywall, paint it white and sell that home.
Paint is 'inexpensive' (not cheap) and easy. Paint it, and the trim, a bright color and be done with it. No hassles with fixing moulding or sunken outlets and switches. I think this is by far the easiest soution.
Depending on the shape of the rock/lathe you might be able to repair and texture.
I could send you some before and after pic's. I used to re-rock as a rule but if the lathe and plaster is tight on the wall I don't do it anymore because after texturing it looks just like sheetrock anyway and I don't have to dispose, extend boxes, etc.
I have a house that's got the same 70's dark paneling...still working on my other one and haven't tackled the paneling but I was visiting some friends last week and they had a dining room that was painted a light yellow over paneling...It looked great !! I was going to fill the grooves in with joint compund but it really looked good just with regular painting...so I'm going to stick the Kilz to it and go from there...Probably use the usual 5.00 a gallon whatever at Home Depot or Lowes that got mixed wrong for the color.
Michael,
Do you know what's beneath the paneling? If it's sheet rock then I'll rather remove the paneling. In any case, I would never consider putting sheet rock on the top of paneling. If the "darkness" is the main concern and would rather just primer and repaint it in desirable color and be done with it.
ok now we're into my area. i'm a contractor by trade. if you're gonna put sheet rock up go ahead and pull the paneling down.why? you ask , well there are a few reasons. if you're doing an outside wall it will let you know what kind of shape other things are in (insulation, wiring, phone lines etc.) plus if you go right over it and there is already sheet rock under the paneling you just wasted all that time and money. just try and be careful when you pull the paneling off
for one quick room i did a few months ago, i pulled a piece of the paneling up and saw the condition of the drywall underneath (wallpaper on it) and decided against taking it down - so i just drywalled right over it. much faster but maybe not technically correct. besides, i figured it'd help insulation a bit. it did make for a funky looking outlet on that wall ... hahaha. a sunken one - but i eventually got it moved back out to the wall's new surface.
i hate cleaning wallpaper off of the old drywall even when it's in good condition. but fyi, i mostly do take it down and start from scratch. like said above, this is a great time to check/update/change the innerworkings of the wall.
ccmorgan- I think your question asked what was cheaper, if money is the central issue then there is no doubt, drywalling right over the panelling is going to be cheaper.
I will bite my tongue on what is better.
I prefer to take off the old panelling and see what is underneath,if it is not worth saving then I demolish down to the studs and put up new 1/2" drywall.
I have a few things for you to consider before making your decision. First of all, applying drywall over the panelling will be harder than it seems. You are adding thickness to the wall and will have to extend door and window jambs before putting the trim back on even if you go with 1/4". Then for outlets and switches you will have to add "mud-rings" to the boxes and re-install switches and outlets so they won't look recessed when you put the plates back on. Any outside corners will also have to be trimmed somehow to cover the edge of the drywall. Baseboards will have to be trimmed a little as you are making the room smaller. Another option is to just remove the panelling, but it might be glued with liquid nails and you'll have to scrape it and patch it, Not a big deal. I would probably gut it to the bare studs, make sure the insulation is good,check the electrical and install new drywall. It is actually pretty easy and you can probably re-use the trim. I hope this helps.
durabond5 - what is the difference in work with removing the panelling or sheet rocking over it in regard to the molding and electrical?
Panelling is 1/8-3/8 inches thick, whether you remove it and sheet rock over the studs or sheet rock over it you still have the same issues in regard to boxes and molding.
i think either way the cost will be about the same whether you pull the paneling off or not, because you're still gonna pay to buy the sheet rock. if you go right over the paneling you're gonna have to use longer screws (which cost more)and hope that they anchor into something well enough to hold. if you pull the paneling off and there is ugly wall paper why bother with removal? just paint over the wall paper.
[addsig]
Why not just paint it?
Is this a place you plan on keeping and renting out or is it going to the selling block?
Are you going to be living there? Is It a rental? A rehab to flip? I think these are all important questions. We all know the best and most exspensive and dirtiest way to do this is remove and replace. That way you are able to fix the problems that you can not see with the paneling in place. That being said. I am not a fan of doing this type of work on a house that I am living in (if that is the case). If you can live with the mistery of what is behind panel number 3 then I would just sheetrock over what you have. The easiest and cheapest (other than painting) thing you can do if astetics is your only concern is apply a heavy duty wallpaper specially made to go over paneling. Only you know if the price is right
In the past I have painted panelling and it looked great!
On a rehab it is all about looks, if you can make it look good cheap then do it!
No-one cares about whether it has new electrical or insulation. It is the woman that buys the house and she cares about how it looks
[addsig]
Thanks everyone for your replies. The rehab will be a flip and if it was just one or two rooms I would just paint but I think I should justm tear down paneling and up new rock over studs. I think this will make for better showing when I'm ready to sell.
Michael
ccmorgan- I think you are correct.
A flip is best described as turning your newly purchased or contracted house over to someone who will rehab it. So in your case it doesn't sound like a flip but a rehab project with a sale at the end of the rehab.
On a flip you would do nothing to the property but get it and release it from your hold to another.
We were faced with very ugly paneling on a rehab we did three years ago. I was determined to stick to my budget. I didn't spend a dime more than I had to. We painted with a bright clean enamel. I know this sounds crazy, but I liked it. We rented the units out quickly and the tenants have never complained.
Cordially,
Alice
If you go over it with sheetrock, you are going to have all the problems mentioned above. I think I would do a mix of things. Many houses have a room or two that have paneling that has been painted. Painting a couple of rooms should save you a lot of work without hurting resale. I would paint a couple of rooms and then rip out the rest.
Paint panelling!!! Ugh! Not only does it look like crap, but if you're going to do it right, you have to spackle the slits and sand it down to get a uniform surface. Tear it down and do it the right way.
It may cost you a few extra bucks, but just remember, the work you do reflects who you are, and that will ultimately contribute to your reputation.
When a potential buyer walks into that home and sees panelling or painted panelling, his first thought will be "That crap's gotta go". That little bit of work that he'll need to do may sway his decision against buying the home. Bottom line is, no one wants panelling. It's as dead as fake brick-facade. Do the drywall, paint it white and sell that home.
Paint is 'inexpensive' (not cheap) and easy. Paint it, and the trim, a bright color and be done with it. No hassles with fixing moulding or sunken outlets and switches. I think this is by far the easiest soution.
Depending on the shape of the rock/lathe you might be able to repair and texture.
I could send you some before and after pic's. I used to re-rock as a rule but if the lathe and plaster is tight on the wall I don't do it anymore because after texturing it looks just like sheetrock anyway and I don't have to dispose, extend boxes, etc.
I have a house that's got the same 70's dark paneling...still working on my other one and haven't tackled the paneling but I was visiting some friends last week and they had a dining room that was painted a light yellow over paneling...It looked great !! I was going to fill the grooves in with joint compund but it really looked good just with regular painting...so I'm going to stick the Kilz to it and go from there...Probably use the usual 5.00 a gallon whatever at Home Depot or Lowes that got mixed wrong for the color.