Wallpaper painting
& removal.
A fresh finish without unnecessary stripping. We paint over suitable wallpaper and remove it when needed.
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Keep the paper. Change the feel.
Smooth, firmly attached wallpaper can often stay. Proper preparation and a suitable bonding primer can save time and avoid hidden repairs.
When to paint over it, and when to remove it
You do not always need to strip wallpaper to update a room. When the paper is flat, has no raised texture and is firmly attached, our preferred approach is to prepare and paint over it with a suitable coating system.
We cannot know the full condition of the wall beneath the paper until it comes off. Removal can reveal damaged drywall, old repairs or other preparation that adds time and cost. Keeping suitable wallpaper in place can avoid that extra work.
We check the paper, seams and visible condition before recommending the approach. If it is peeling, bubbling, textured or showing signs of moisture, we explain the repairs or removal needed before you approve the quote.
Check the wallpaper
We look for a smooth surface, sound adhesion, secure seams and a covering that can accept a suitable primer and paint. Flat appearance alone is not the whole check.
Prepare & paint over
For suitable wallpaper, we prepare the agreed seams and surface defects, then use a bonding primer or primer-sealer selected to adhere to that covering and work with the finish coats. We check product suitability and a small test area before coating the room.
Remove when needed
When removal is the better choice, we have wallpaper steamers available and choose a method suited to the paper and wall beneath. We remove the covering, address adhesive residue and include the agreed wall preparation before priming and painting. Unexpected repairs are discussed before the scope changes.
What could this look like in your home?Explore three common situations
Illustrative examples to help you plan your project.
A flat pattern to a fresh painted colour.
The starting point: The pattern feels dated, but the wallpaper is smooth, untextured and firmly attached.
What we can do: We recommend preparing and painting over suitable paper. With the right primer and finish, you can change the colour without the labour of stripping the entire room.
An update without uncovering the whole wall.
The starting point: You want a fresh room, but do not know what repairs or wall condition might be hidden under the wallpaper.
What we can do: If the paper is suitable, keeping it in place can avoid the additional wall repairs that removal may reveal. We explain the preparation and likely savings for your project before you decide.
Loose or textured paper needs a different plan.
The starting point: The covering has lifting seams, widespread bubbles or raised texture that you do not want in the finished wall.
What we can do: We assess whether local preparation is enough or removal is needed. We agree on the work first and discuss any newly exposed damage before adding repairs.
From first look to finished work.
A clear plan. A crew that takes care of the details. Tap a step to see more.
Share your plansSend photos or arrange a site visit.
Send a few photos of the whole room, the wallpaper surface, seams and edges, including any bubbles, peeling or staining. Tell us the result you want, or schedule a site visit so we can review the project with you.
We review the condition, talk through your options and prepare a quote that explains the work.
Send photos or book a site visitConfirm the detailsYour colour, scope, access and date.
Before you approve the work, we make sure the details are clear:
- Colour: your chosen colours, finishes and where each will be used.
- Scope: preparation, approved repairs and the exact surfaces included.
- Access: rooms, furniture, pets and the areas you need to keep using.
- Date: the planned start, work sequence and any access or drying periods.
Ask questions and make any changes before we begin, so we are all working toward the same result.
Leave the work with usPreparation, painting and cleanup handled.
Once the plan is agreed, our crew takes care of the protection, surface preparation, finishing and cleanup included in your project.
Your site lead or crew is there to answer questions and keep you informed. If something unexpected needs attention, we discuss it with you before changing the work.
Enjoy the peace of mind of having the project taken care of, without having to manage every detail yourself.
Enjoy the finished roomA walkthrough and a little thank-you.
Walk through the finished work with your site lead or crew. We review the agreed surfaces together, listen to your feedback and take care of the touch-ups needed to complete the job.
We explain when you can use the finished surfaces normally and how to care for them. We want you to feel happy with the result before we wrap up.
A little thank-you, too. You will receive a gift basket as our way of saying thank you for trusting us with your project.
Your questions, answered.
Can you paint over wallpaper instead of removing it?
Yes. When the wallpaper is flat, has no raised texture, is firmly attached and is suitable for a compatible coating system, we recommend preparing and painting over it. You can get a fresh colour while avoiding the stripping and extra wall preparation that removal may involve. We check the paper and seams before confirming this approach.
Why do you recommend keeping suitable wallpaper in place?
It can save time and cost, and reduce the chance of unexpected repair work. We cannot fully see the wall underneath until the wallpaper is removed. Stripping may expose damaged drywall, old patches or uneven surfaces that then need more work. Sound, smooth wallpaper may provide a practical base for the new painted finish.
Will the old pattern or seams show through the paint?
Printed colour and pattern can often be covered with appropriate priming and finish coats. Raised texture and seam ridges are different: paint alone will not make them disappear. We review those details and include the preparation needed, explaining any features that may remain visible before you choose to proceed.
When would you recommend removing the wallpaper?
Removal may be needed when the paper is poorly attached, extensively peeling or bubbling, or unsuitable for the proposed coating. Raised texture also needs a different approach if you want a smooth wall. Signs of dampness need their cause addressed first. We explain why removal is needed for your particular surface rather than automatically stripping every room.
What primer do you use over wallpaper?
A suitable bonding primer or primer-sealer is essential. It must adhere to the specific wallpaper and be compatible with the planned finish. We check the product guidance and test a small area for adhesion and any lifting or bubbling before proceeding. A primer being labelled “bonding” does not automatically make it suitable for every wallpaper.
Does painting over wallpaper always need oil-based products?
Not always. Modern acrylic and urethane hybrid coatings give us additional options, but the right choice depends on the wallpaper and the complete primer-and-paint system. We select products approved for the surface and intended use. Where the paper or adhesive needs a particular sealer, we use a compatible system rather than ruling a product in or out simply because it is oil-based or water-based.
Can you steam the wallpaper off if I want it removed?
Yes. We have wallpaper steamers available and can include removal in your quote. We first assess the covering and wall condition, then choose the appropriate removal method. Steam can help release wallpaper, but removal may still reveal old repairs or damaged surfaces. We address adhesive residue and the agreed wall preparation before painting, and discuss any additional repairs with you first.
What happens if unexpected work is needed?
We discuss it with you before changing the work. Photos and a site review help us plan, but hidden conditions cannot always be confirmed in advance. If preparation exposes loose paper or removal reveals damage, we explain the options and any effect on cost or timing so you can approve the next step.
Let’s take a look.
Send us a few photos. We’ll help you choose the right approach.
Request an estimateServing Kitchener, Waterloo, Guelph and Cambridge.