Right way to remodel wood panel wall?

Rehabbing, Fix and Flip, Rental Properties
1

Dear folks,
there is a big apartment with dark wood panel wall all around!
of course people don’t like that. I don’t want just use primer to
paint on the paneling directly coz people still can see it is wood panel
wall even the cover is changed.

I am wondering what the most inexpensive, but RIGHT way to remodel an apartment with wood panel wall. It will be very costly if I hang drywall all around. some handyman suggests me use “compound mud” to hide the wood panel and then paint on it. I have no idea if this can works in the long run, I don’t want someday it start peel off like some crap. but Is my worry unnecessary?

I hope to do the job in the right way. Please share your experience and advice with me . I am very very appreciated!!

2

Hang sheetrock right over it, you can use 1/4 or 3/8" since the paneling will be behind it, or you could tear out the paneling all together and hang sheetrock.

3

thank you very much, the apartment is about 890 sq ft. so if I hang sheet rock right on the wood panel, will it be very expensive?

4

a 4x8’ sheet of 3/8" should run between $8-$10/ sheet. finishing sheetrock isn’t very hard, i believe someone said lowes has a how-to on their site. of course you could sub out finishing it. Finishers generaly charge ~$10 sheet.

5

This is very helpful!
one more question: one handyman said he can use “compound mud” to put directly on the wood paneling and hide it. is this works? Will it be a problem if some tenants try to nail on it in the future? l

6

DO NOT put drywall or anyother mud, dirrectly over the panneling. The panneling expands and contracts more than one would think. This and nailing into it just makes for bad news down the road, “do it right…do it once!”

7

you can also paint and it will look fine. I have quite a few units with this.

as for hangin’ sheet rock, it is a good bit work even if you go over the paneling

8

Donald,The only thing that I have ever done with paneling is paint it or i have put wallpaper over it.First you put up a liner over the paneling then you can hang wallpaper over it.If you want the cheapest and fastest PAINT!!!Hope this helps.Michele

9

I see nothing wrong with painting over the paneling, but if you want to hide the lines, try this tip: ;Dhttp://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/ah_tips/article/0,1801,HGTV_3206_2865127,00.html