Beaver, PA on Aug 15, 2011

There are three areas in our home with real wood paneling: Master Bedroom, First Guest Bedroom and Hallway.

I would really like to paint over it but my boyfriend is worried about the paint seeping into the wood and ruining it and how that will affect resale. Should we paint it or remove it?

29 Comments Displaying 25 of 29 comments | See Previous

Traci C Durham, NC

agreed... the only way to possibly make paneling look good is if you had a beachy cottage style and painted a distressed beachwood finish on it... but that could still go either way if it's not executed perfectly... and it could be overkill if you do it in all 3 rooms... i plan on creating a distressed beachwood headboard from floor to ceiling in my guest room... sure wish you lived close so i could reclaim your paneling when you rip it out. ; )

on Aug 15, 2011 · Like 0
Harold M Franklin, NC

Remove it. And hang new drywall. Gonna be a messy job, but should be no problem. Not sure what the thickness of the paneling is or how old the house is, but since your removing it, it might be a good idea to upgrade electric, computer cables, cable TV etc?

on Aug 15, 2011 · Like 1
Nichter's Home Services C... Islesboro, ME

If this is typical thin 4x8 sheet goods they sell for paneling, it probably has sheetrock behind it already that would only need a new skim coat and paint.
When I deal with paneling here, it is real solid wood paneling in the classical style, so I am not sure what this is.

on Aug 15, 2011 · Like 0
Peace Painting Co., Inc. Alpharetta, GA

A picture would help, if you can. It may be old growth wood, of which there is no more.
I like real wood paneling because it has more character than sheetrock and can be refinished in countless different ways. Before you undo and redo, creating more landfill material and buying new products, think about being creative with what you've been given, even if it's not ideal. I think chances are you could find a finish for your real wood paneling that you would like.
Best, Charles

on Aug 15, 2011 · Like 2
Nichter's Home Services C... Islesboro, ME

Well said! A photo would help immensely to define the scope of this

on Aug 15, 2011 · Like 0
Nichter's Home Services C... Islesboro, ME

For instance, I was raised in Western NY, in a house first built in 1832. The paneling there was knotty pine and the construction style was such that it was a structural part of the house. Removing it would not have been good advice. In a situation like that, with a strong desire for smooth painted walls, applying 3/8" sheetrock over the pane;ling to be finished and painted would be the right answer. ...»

LL says, "my boyfriend is worried about the paint seeping into the wood and ruining it"
I can understand his concern. In the history of the house I grew up in, one family of renters had painted those walls pink and moved the pet goats in to live with them.
;)
The homes I work on here are classical architecture and have panels such as might be found in European museums at times, or the Dean's office at Harvard. This is not mobile home type paneling.

on Aug 15, 2011 · Like 1
Paul M Fairburn, GA

Even cheap paneling is not cheap anymore. I just would not paint it or destroy it even if I didn't like it. Just replace it as everyone has a consensus to do and then sell the paneling on Craigslist or some place like that. Someone out there wants that paneling even if you don't. There is no reason to waste anything unless you have to. Good luck with your project.

on Aug 16, 2011 · Like 1
LeanneLately Beaver, PA

It is knotty pine. Our house was built in 1916 and my boyfriend says he thinks it could be original, as have a few other friends and family.
on Aug 16, 2011 · Like 0
LeanneLately Beaver, PA

And here, too. (Sorry, am having the HARDEST time uploading photos.)
on Aug 16, 2011 · Like 0
Paul M Fairburn, GA

Leanne, that wood is worth a lot of money as aged pine, some would say aged heart pine. Either way I would never even think about painting that and if I didn't like it I would carefully remove it so I could sell it to someone else. There are plenty of people who are looking for something just like that and the fact that it is 90 years old makes it very valuable. About three years ago I salvaged some wood similar to yours, it was only 70 years old. I redid the floors in a house with that ...»
wood and it looks phenomenal, according to others that looked at it when I was done. I spent 400 in materials and three months in labor but I ended up with a floor that is worth about 20,000, or at least that would have been my cost. About half that cost was the aged heart pine boards that I used.

on Aug 16, 2011 · Like 1
KMS Woodworks Nederland, CO

You are going to want to save that....that stuff is near priceless. I jumped to the conclusion that you had some cheesy 4 x 8 "sheet" paneling (like we had in my parents basement back in the 70's).
With this new information...ripping it out may actually negatively affect your resale. Old homes are classic and as you know they don't make them old anymore. Each year fewer and fewer ...»
classics are available due to remodels etc. The PBS show "This Old House" shows that for over 20 years people still want some of these old "character" homes.

on Aug 16, 2011 · Like 0
LeanneLately Beaver, PA

Thank you, everyone! Sorry for the confusion about the type of paneling (newbie mistake). We've been talking all day and we're going to incorporate it into our decorating for now but eventually look into getting it removed so someone can repurpose it.

on Aug 16, 2011 · Like 0
Nichter's Home Services C... Islesboro, ME

The walls are neither knotty pine nor heart pine (which IS very expensive in high grade clear qualities). They are however nice white pine paneling T&G material. The vertical is likely more modern, bit the horizontal does look like and meet the style of the age of that house in PA. The Oak Newel and railing also fit the age. The oak especially would but a grievous sin to paint over. The other pine wall paneling is a mater of taste, IMO. That style comes and goes in 20-30 year cycles, like women's clothing

on Aug 16, 2011 · Like 0
Harold M Franklin, NC

If this is knotty pine definatley save it. You might break the tongue or groove off getting it off, but you'll be able to use it possibly in another home improvement project. (top for coffee table etc) I was thingking it was 4x8 sheets.

on Aug 17, 2011 · Like 0
Paul M Fairburn, GA

Heart pine is merely any pine wood that is cut from the central part of the tree. White, yellow, slash, long leaf, short leaf, it makes no difference. When it gets aged like that it become valuable due to the natural patina that comes with that aging. I disagree with your assessment Nichter, that wood is very valuable if for no other reason its age. Any aged wood is worth more than a newer wood for several reasons one of them being it color development.

on Aug 17, 2011 · Like 0
Shane Tallant Nashville, TN

Who would have thunk that so much talk could come from wood paneling? LOVE IT! I am interested to see/hear what the end result of this is. Is it knotty pine or knot? HAHA! Get it? Knot? Aw, nevermind.

on Aug 19, 2011 · Like 1
Nichter's Home Services C... Islesboro, ME

Knot gonna argue it Shane. I am a purist more than a generalist.

on Aug 19, 2011 · Like 0
TonyaM Williams Atlanta, GA

Leanne, if you are trying to preserve the character of the home...then leave the wood walls. I would suggest making them accent walls and the focal point of each of the rooms where they are located. The room with the ceiling fan...not sure if it is a bedroom or office/study...change those ceiling tiles to either smooth sheetrock, modernize the ceiling fan, lay an area rug with rich earth tones in the middle of the room, make the paint on the opposing walls more muted and earth toned but ...»
not too dark...paint the ceiling a few shades lighter than the chosen wall color for contrast and dimension. Place a desk or bed(whichever function this room will serve) and a great piece or several pieces of bold art work on the wood paneled wall to bring out their texture and uniqueness. I also suggest a large mirror at least 4'x 4' with a spectacular and interesting border to be hung on the wall opposite the wood paneling to open the room up and also reflect some of the natural light from the window giving the room a much larger appearance.Lastly get a natural look window blind or faux wood blind in natural wood color...and possibly strip the white wood door down to the natural wood and do a light honey stain. This room would look fabulous without much effort and all the while you will preserve the original charm and character of the home. These are just a few suggestions that came to mind, hope they are helpful. Please post pics of the final project...I would love to see them. TMW

on Aug 19, 2011 · Like 1
Barbara Durham, NC

I agree. The tenants in my rental house painted the paneling and it looked awful. Which if you want a starter home in Durham let me know. Just take it down and hang drywall. You will be happier!

on Aug 19, 2011 · Like 0
Traci C Durham, NC

i found this pic and thought of you!
on Aug 26, 2011 · Like 2
LeanneLately Beaver, PA

This is sooooo great! I have to show my boyfriend so he'll give in to letting me paint it. THANK YOU!

on Aug 26, 2011 · Like 0
Traci C Durham, NC

you're welcome! just do an image google search of painted wall paneling and you'll find tons of awesome paint treatments and ways to spruce up paneling! call me crazy but..... just from the pics you've posted, i have major paneling envy! LOL. happy painting! :)

on Aug 26, 2011 · Like 0
KMS Woodworks Nederland, CO

@traci...that pic has that "cape cod" look of painted exposed wood framing...very appealing

on Aug 27, 2011 · Like 0
Traci C Durham, NC

I do like that look! Miss Leannw, do we have any new pics?! I'm dying to see what you've done! :)

on Sep 08, 2011 · Like 0
Taylor H Gastonia, NC

We have a knotty pine kitchen and den. We painted our den, and it looks so much better and brighter! We cleaned the walls with TSP and then applied 2 coats of oil-based primer + two coats of paint. It was a job, but a fun one. Definitely give it a shot! Check out the blog The Lettered Cottage and look up her living room - they did the same thing and it looks awesome. Have fun!

on Oct 22, 2011 · Like 0