Can I wallpaper over woodchip wallpaper?

Poor Pierre,
I feel for you. Old woodchip wallpaper was quite a hit in the 1970s and 1980s and some still hasn’t been replaced. I share your concern: without knowing how it was installed in the first place, removing it might be a risky proposition and the temptation to just wallpaper over it is quite understandable. Let’s discuss this in more detail:

Can I hang new wallpaper over old woodchip wallpaper?

The problem with wallpapering over woodchip wallpaper is that, due to the nature of woodchip, the surface of the new wallpaper will not look smooth, and tiny bumps will still be visible. You don’t really want that, do you?! Like most wallpaper professionals, my recommendation is that it’s always better to remove woodchip wallpaper before installing a new model.

Why is it a better idea to remove woodchip wallpaper?

Wallpapering over old wallpaper always presents a number of challenges, and woodchip is certainly no exception:

• Designed to disguise wall imperfections and defects, woodchip features an uneven surface that makes a really poor base for new wallpaper.
• Over the years, and due to its lumpy surface, woodchip wallpaper will have inevitably collected dirt deposits, dust or even mould. This can result in a musty smell that will not go away when wallpapered over.
• Woodchip wallpaper is already quite heavy. Adding a second layer of thick wallpaper to it will further increase the risk that the old paste will not hold, and the wallpaper will come away from the wall. You cannot fight gravity.

How can I remove old woodchip wallpaper?

There are different methods to remove old woodchip wallpaper from the wall and every specialist has his or her own favourites. The three most common ways are:

1. Using a wallpaper steamer
   If you are in a rush, this is the quickest method to remove woodchip wallpaper, but be warned, it is quite labour-intensive. First of all, try to get hold of a good quality steamer, don’t skimp money and buy a cheap model - you will definitely regret it. With this method it is very important to perforate the surface of the woodchip wallpaper with a scoring tool, so that the steam can get under it and work on the glue. Sponge down the scored surface with some soapy water and let it soak. Get the steamer started early as it takes some time for it to warm up and then begin to apply steam to the surface with one hand, while scraping off the old woodchip wallpaper with the other, using a scraper.
2. Using warm soapy water
   The process here is pretty much the same described above, but without the steamer. Take your time scoring the woodchip wallpaper and then sponge it down with warm soapy water, before starting the manual removal process with a scraper or a stripping knife. As woodchip is quite thick, this is not an easy task. You can make it easier by applying a wallpaper remover solution (also known as wallpaper stripper). You will need to repeat the process at least twice to get rid of all remnants of the woodchip.
3. Using wallpaper removal gel
   Again, this method is not unlike the one described for the wallpaper remover solution above, and you will start by scoring the surface of the old wallpaper. However, instead of sponging the wall with a liquid you will use a gel that will stick to the woodchip wallpaper, allowing its active ingredients to penetrate the surface. Apply the gel with a brush or a roller and wait at least an hour for it to work through the paper and then the adhesive. Apply plenty of gel as otherwise you will have to work harder to scrape the old wallpaper off! It is very likely that you will need to repeat the process a couple of times, particularly if the woodchip wallpaper has been painted over several times. If you have a steamer at your disposal, this would be my favourite method.

Will plaster fall of the wall if I remove woodchip wallpaper?

If the woodchip wallpaper was put up decades ago, there is a distinct possibility that part of the plaster might fall off. After many years, the woodchip has become part of the wall structure, but you need to consider that - if the plaster is so old and weak that it falls off when removing the wallpaper - it is time to renovate it.

What can I do if I am renting and cannot risk damaging the walls?

If you have no other option but wallpapering over woodchip, there are a few options you can try:

• Using very thick wallpaper
  Using a thick, vinyl coated wallpaper combined with paste with parts of dispersion adhesive will cover the woodchip and result in a fairly smooth finish. However, the weight will be a risk as you are adding heavy wallpaper over an already thick material that has been on the wall for decades.
• Sand the woodchip and apply lining paper
  Another option is to sand over the woodchip using an electric sander and fine grain sanding paper. Once wiped clean, you can paper it over with thick lining paper, using a paste with parts of dispersion adhesive. Again, the risks are the same as those outlined in the first method.

Your wallpaper expert
Isabel