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Answers (10)
- superninjawarrior
- Contributions:1
Styles come and go. Once you paint a panel, striping it to go back to a traditional style can be painful. I have restored old homes and in some cases, paint devalues the home because restoration is cumbersome to remove. The short term answer is what looks good and fresh. The best answer is understand what you are covering with paint, and if the paneling is a quality paneling that can be refinished. Lighting the color of a panel is not always easy, but can be done, and in the long term make the home more valuable as well, modern, bright and cheery. So, think before you paint and get opinions about the paneling and examine your options.
- Kaye Norenberg
- Contributions:824
Here is a picture of our painted paneling that was solely on the fireplace wall. I think it is a big improvement.
- Cynthia Peltier, "Dream Home Staging"
- Contributions:1
Painting dark paneling (if done correctly ) can definitely improve
the value of the home. Updating the look of a home never goes out of style. Brown paneling can date a home quickly. Be sure to strip the sheen,prime and paint it in a neutral color ,(your landlord might be more open-minded if she thinks she won't have to re-paint it later). If the house has a cottage feel you could get away without filling the groves. Good Luck
the value of the home. Updating the look of a home never goes out of style. Brown paneling can date a home quickly. Be sure to strip the sheen,prime and paint it in a neutral color ,(your landlord might be more open-minded if she thinks she won't have to re-paint it later). If the house has a cottage feel you could get away without filling the groves. Good Luck
- SoccerShepard
- Contributions:211
We have done it to a few of our rentals, thou they were older mobile homes. Made them look, allot better, if done right. If it is a not a mobile and a real house. Then if I owned it, I would only use 1/4 sheet rock over it and tape and texture it. That would up date the home and add a little more value.
- Margaret Oscilia, "creativeconcepts"
- Contributions:43
We painted over paneling several times and the look is not only greatly improved, but durable as well. As previously suggested, lightly sand and prime the paneling. Additionally, there may be spaces between the panels or at the ceiling/corners that aren't attractive -- fill them with paintable caulk after you prime. We have painted a light taupe color several times in family rooms and the look is incredible. Also, paneling that is used as a wainscotting painted white with a color on the rest of the wall is a fresh and stylish look.
- Brian Gwaltney, "Metro Maintenance"
- Contributions:315
My vote is for way better looking. If I were the landlord that's what I would say if I didn't want a tenant to get halfway into a long and difficult job and not finish. "It'll lower the value (if you half&ss and/or don't finish)"
- sunnyview
- Contributions:25169
Mike sounds like a man with personal panel painting experience and he is right it does make rooms look a lot bigger.
- Michael Emery, "MikeEmery"
- Contributions:7307
You will be amazed at how much bigger a room looks when dark paneling has been painted a lighter color. Just remember to sand the surface of the paneling or use a sanding liquid and then use a good quality primer to seal the wood. Chances are there might be wax on the paneling that would prevent paint from adhering. And some wood stains can bleed through latex paint. Hence the need for the primer. Count on multiple coats, especially the paneling is that dark walnut stain from the 1970s.
- Andy Capelluto, "Andy Capelluto"
- Contributions:5
Go for it - I advocate doing it all the time.
- sunnyview
- Contributions:25169
Painted paneling is more stylish right now than the dark wood look. Show your landlord a Pottery barn catalog. They often have painted wainscotting (sp?) or painted wooden walls featured. Form my limited experience I think that an soft off white or white truns out best. It looks fresh and cottagey.
Will painting over cheap wall paneling lower the value of my home - if done correctly?
Tammy
Memphis, TN
tstanek@fedmemphis.com
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