Quick answer
Wallpaper Installer Seattle is a licensed and insured wallpaper installer serving Newcastle, WA, with 10+ years of experience. We remove dated wallpaper and borders, repair and prime the drywall underneath, and install new paper, murals, and ceiling wallcoverings. We come to your home for a free on-site written estimate. Call or text (425) 500-6842.
Key facts
- Removal of older wallpaper and borders, with drywall repair and sealing
- Homes built before 1978 are tested for lead paint before sanding
- Popcorn ceilings should be tested for asbestos before removal
- Free on-site written estimate at your Newcastle home
- Roll count confirmed from measurements before you order
Updating a Newcastle home, one wall at a time
A lot of Newcastle wallpaper projects are really update projects: taking down a dated border or a busy 1990s print and replacing it with something that fits how the home is used today. Others are fresh starts on plain walls in newer homes.
Newcastle is a small city tucked between Bellevue and Renton, near I-405, with hillside neighborhoods that look west toward Lake Washington and Seattle. The area began as a coal-mining town in the late 1800s, but most of today's homes were built in the second half of the 20th century and later. That mix of decades is the best way to think about what your walls will need.
What will I find under the paint, by decade?
The age of the house is the best early clue to how much prep a wallpaper job will take. This is a general guide, and every home is different, which is why we check walls in person at the estimate.
| When the home was built | Common wall conditions | What to plan for |
|---|---|---|
| 1960s and 1970s | Early drywall, many paint layers, possible popcorn ceilings | Lead test before sanding (pre-1978), asbestos test before disturbing popcorn ceilings |
| 1980s and 1990s | Original wallpaper or borders, sometimes hung on unprimed drywall | Careful removal, drywall facing repair, sealing primer |
| 2000s and newer | Orange peel or knockdown texture, builder-grade flat paint | Skim coat, sand, wallcovering primer |
Can you remove old wallpaper without ruining the drywall?
Usually, yes, with patience and the right technique. The problem in many 1980s and 1990s homes is that the original paper was hung directly on drywall that was never primed or sized, so the adhesive bonded to the paper face of the drywall itself.
Our approach to wallpaper removal is to:
- Test a small area to see whether the top layer peels dry and how the backing behaves.
- Strip the top layer, then soak the backing so the adhesive softens.
- Scrape gently at a low angle to avoid tearing the drywall paper.
- Seal any torn or fuzzy drywall with a penetrating primer before patching, so it doesn't bubble.
- Skim, sand, and apply a wallcovering primer for the new paper.
When working near outlets and switches with water, we turn off power at the breaker first. For the full method, read our guide on how to remove wallpaper without damaging drywall.
Can you just wallpaper over the old wallpaper?
It's possible in a few limited cases, but we rarely recommend it. Old paper can loosen at the seams once new paste soaks into it, and patterns or texture underneath can show through the new layer.
If the existing paper is very well bonded, smooth, and in good shape, sealing it with a primer and papering over it can work for some materials. In most Newcastle homes, though, removing the old layer gives a cleaner, longer-lasting result. Our guide can you wallpaper over wallpaper explains when it might work and when it won't.
What about wallpapering a ceiling with popcorn texture?
Popcorn texture has to be dealt with before any ceiling paper goes up, and older popcorn ceilings should be tested for asbestos before anyone scrapes or sands them. If testing comes back clear, the texture can be removed and the ceiling skimmed smooth.
Once the surface is flat and primed, a papered ceiling can be a beautiful upgrade, especially in a dining room, powder room, or bedroom. See our ceiling wallpaper installation page for what's involved.
Which small projects make the biggest difference?
If you'd like to start small, these projects tend to change the feel of a Newcastle home without a big time commitment:
- Powder rooms. A small room with a big pattern is the classic first wallpaper project. Our powder room wallpaper ideas guide has plenty of directions to consider.
- Dining room feature walls. One papered wall behind a buffet or hutch can anchor the room.
- Stair and hallway walls. Long walls connect spaces, and a continuous pattern makes them feel intentional.
- Bedroom headboard walls. A mural or large-scale print behind the bed creates a focal point.
- View rooms. In rooms with a lake or territorial view, a quieter texture or grasscloth lets the window stay the star.
How is the cost of a Newcastle wallpaper job determined?
Cost comes down to how much prep the walls need, the type of paper, and the size and complexity of the space. Removal of old paper, drywall repair, and ceiling work add time, while a smooth, ready wall goes much faster.
Other factors include pattern repeat and match type, wall height, and the number of windows, doors, and outlets. We look at all of this at the estimate and put it in writing. Most clients buy their own paper, and we confirm the roll count from our measurements before you order.
How should I prepare the room before install day?
Clear small items, wall art, and window treatments from the walls being papered, and give us a clear path to the room. We move or cover furniture near the walls and protect the floors ourselves.
Keep the wallpaper rolls indoors at room temperature for a day or two before the install, and check that all rolls share the same batch number. If you have pets, plan a spot for them away from the work area while paste and tools are out.
Close to Bellevue and Renton
Newcastle's central Eastside location makes scheduling easy. We also work regularly in Renton, Bellevue, and Mercer Island.
Schedule your free Newcastle estimate
Ready to take down that old border or finally paper the powder room? We'll come to your Newcastle home, check the walls, measure, and give you a free on-site written estimate. Call or text (425) 500-6842, email seattlewallpaper@gmail.com, or tell us about your project. We reply within 24 hours.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to remove old wallpaper?
It depends on how the paper was hung and how many layers there are. Paper that peels cleanly can come off a room in a few hours, while paper hung on unprimed drywall takes longer. We give you a realistic estimate after testing a small area.
Why does my drywall look torn after the wallpaper came off?
That usually means the paper was installed on drywall that was never primed, so the adhesive bonded to the drywall's paper face. The fix is to seal the damaged area with a penetrating primer, then patch, skim, and sand before new paper goes up.
Can you remove a wallpaper border and leave the painted walls?
Yes. We remove the border and its adhesive, then repair any damage to the wall underneath. You may need to touch up or repaint the band where the border was, since paint behind it often differs in color.
Is it safe to remove the popcorn ceiling before wallpapering?
Only after testing. Older popcorn ceilings can contain asbestos, so a sample should be tested before the texture is disturbed. If it is clear, the ceiling can be scraped, skimmed, and primed for paper.
Do you install wallpaper in Newcastle on weekends?
Scheduling depends on the job and our calendar, so ask when you contact us. We reply within 24 hours and will work with you to find an install date that fits.
