Wallpaper Over Wallpaper

Q. Can I wallpaper over my existing wallpaper?

A. It depends on the type, style, and condition of your existing wallpaper. Deal with the two types:

Non-coated Wallpaper:
Wallpaper without vinyl coating is the only wallpaper that can guarantee success. True "paper-papers" are generally high end products or products that are made overseas.

Homeowners can tell if it is a true paper by using a sponge. Wet an inconspicuous area. If there is a darkening throughout the entire surface, there is no vinyl coating. You may also be able to flake off or rub out surface inks. With coated papers, the opposite results are to be expected.

Another consideration is strikethrough. This is a condition where the original paper's inks or pattern appears through the new finish paper. Bleeding of inks may also occur. Both of these errors may take hours to months for the symptoms to show up. Test hangings can assist in determining if either of these will be a problem, but as they can manifest over time, they are not an exact indication.

If you feel there will be no strikethrough or bleeding issues, hang your new paper. Otherwise, perform the same steps as if you were painting your wallpaper.

Vinyl-coated Wallpaper:
You must make every effort to remove the wallpaper first. The reason for this is based on the principle of adhesion. Wallpaper adhesives stick best on porous surfaces. Coated papers have zero porosity. The paper does not have the same bonding capabilities as it would over a properly prepared surface. The other end of the spectrum holds true as well. Paper applied to un-prepped drywall has too much adhesion, therefore causing damage upon removal.

There is another issue that recently has become a major topic. That concerns mold and mildew. Imagine the mold and mildew invitation when you encapsulate wet adhesive between two layers of non-breathable vinyl. Aside from the lack of adhesion, you also created the ideal environment for mold.

If your vinyl wallpaper is causing excessive damage during removal, you should perform the same type of prep that you would for painting wallpaper prior to re-papering.

All types of Wallpaper:
Try to engineer the room so that the seams do not fall on top of old seams. Never paper over existing wallpaper that is not firmly adhering to the wall surface.