It feels like you’ve traveled back in time to the 1970s when you enter a home with wood paneling. While nostalgia has its appeal, there are times when you prefer your house to have a more contemporary, updated appearance. It is time to take the outdated walls of your home and make it have a modern appeal again. Between the craziness of the housing market and the cost of building materials you may be asking yourself, “Should we paint our wall panels or renovate our home to have drywall?
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Frequently Asked Questions About Drywall Vs. Wood Paneling
Below are a few common questions we have received about drywall vs. wood paneling:
1. Is Drywall Or Paneling More Expensive?
While it primarily depends on lumber costs, presently, wood paneling costs more than drywall. There is wood paneling “that is plastic” that is much cheaper than drywall. While it is cheaper in price, it is cheaper in value and quality.
2. Can You Install Wood Paneling Without Drywall?
Yes, you can install wood paneling a variety of ways. You can first place plywood down that is graded for fire resistance, and you can simply place the wood paneling directly on plywood. When we do home remodeling in Schuylkill County, we see this to be the case for many homes. It is important to note that you should have insulation behind the wood paneling or it will not be as effective.
If you are doing a bathroom remodel you have to be careful. Incorrect installation can allow for moisture to get behind your wood paneling and result in mold and mildew build up. We have performed a variety of bathroom remodels in Schuylkill County that had mold buildup behind the paneling because it was improperly installed.
3. Is Drywall Or Wood Paneling More Energy Efficient?
Drywall is more energy efficient than most low-grade wood paneling. If the wood paneling is solid wood or installed on plywood, the barrier the paneling adds to the wall is more energy efficient. Like most things with home renovations and interior construction, the quality of the materials determines the value of the end product.
4. Does Replacing Paneling With Drywall Increase Home Value?
Typically, replacing the paneling or wood paneling with drywall will increase a home’s value. A large majority of people prefer drywall over wood paneling. What truly determines if the value is increased is the quality of the installation. If you hire a new contractor or someone who has not installed much drywall before and they do a bad job, it might lower the value of your home. Make sure your drywall installation is done correctly by Jared D. Aungst Construction.
5. Does Wood Paneling Look Good Painted?
Sometimes, painting wood paneling looks good… okay, rarely does wood paneling look good, in our opinion. Typically, painting over the paneling is a temporary fix for your home. Learn more about the different approaches of painting wood paneling vs. installing drywall.
Paint Wood Paneling Vs. Installing Drywall
Is it better to paint over the old wood paneling instead of replacing it with drywall in order to save money? Learn about the advantages and disadvantages of each option, along with the reasons why replacing wood paneling with drywall may boost your home’s value and provide a wealth of remodeling options. Consider the options for your home and contact Jared D. Aungst Construction for your home renovations in Pennsylvania.
Benefits Of Replacing Wood Paneling With Drywall
Below is a collection of reasons you should replace your wall panels with drywall to improve your home.
1. Replace Your Wall Paneling To Increase Home Value
It’s important to make a good first impression when selling your house. Potential buyers might be seriously turned off by outdated wood paneling. You may quickly update your area, make it more attractive, and possibly raise its market worth by replacing it with drywall.
2. A New Start for Renovation
Drywall provides a blank slate for your home remodeling aspirations. Without being constrained by the paneling’s intrinsic ’70s look, you are able to experiment with a variety of design approaches, from minimalist to modern.
3. Improved Insulation and Energy Efficiency
Drywall has superior insulating qualities than wood paneling, which can improve your home’s energy efficiency. Saving money on heating and cooling can increase the long-term worth of your house.
4. Bring Your Home Into This Century
Say goodbye to wood paneling’s antiquated appearance and welcome to a modern, timeless space. Your house will instantly feel more modern and trendy if wood paneling is replaced with drywall, making the area more hospitable and fashionable.
5. Find Out What Is Behind The Wood Paneling
Many times when we have renovated a home with wood paneling, we have found major electrical issues and potential problems that would be even more costly if they had been ignored. Removing the wood paneling and updating your home is a great way to fix those problems. Like we mentioned above, we have removed wood paneling in bathrooms and found a lot of mold issues. When we have removed wood paneling in kitchen remodels typically we can see how well the electricity is installed and and other underlying issues.
Negatives To Replacing Wood Paneling With Drywall
There is only one negative to replacing wood paneling: cost. It is a larger investment than a few buckets of paint. While it is a large investment, it is well worth the cost, especially if you plan to sell your home in the next 10-20 years.
Positives Of Painting Over Your Wood Paneling
There are two key benefits to painting over your wood paneling.
1. Painting Over Wood Paneling Is Fast
Painting your walls is not a full construction project. It is a quick fix you can easily complete or hire a painting company to perform quickly. When painting the paneling make sure you paint the grooves of the paneling first. They are typically darker and need extra layers and attention. Try to find more fluffy paint rollers to get into the cracks of the wood paneling.
2. Painting Over Wood Paneling Is Affordable
It is much cheaper to purchase paint than it is to purchase and install drywall. Painting your wood paneling is a low cost investment, the only problem is, the payoff is also low.
Negatives Of Painting Over Wood Paneling
There are actually quite a few negatives to painting over wood paneling.
1. Painting Wood Paneling Doesn’t Look That Good
Although covering wood paneling with paint is more affordable, it is only a Band-Aid solution. You and your visitors will be reminded of the paneling’s antiquated beginnings by the texture and grooves that are still clearly evident.
2. Painted Wall Panels Restricts Your Home’s Design
The design options available when replacing wood paneling with drywall are more than those available when painting over it. Your ability to create a really contemporary and coherent appearance is constrained by the texture and color of the paneling.
3. Painted Wall Panels Typically Peel
The paint of wood paneling can peel or fracture with time, creating maintenance problems and a less-than-ideal appearance. Periodic maintenance and repainting may be necessary.
Update Your Home With A Home Renovation
At Jared D. Aungst Construction, we recognize the value of making your house into a cutting-edge work of art. In addition to raising the value of your house, replacing wood paneling with drywall also opens you a world of creative options. Imagine your house without the limitations of outdated wood paneling, with new drywall, clean finishes, and modern flooring.
We serve Schuylkill, Lebanon, and Berks Counties with professional home renovation services. Contact us today!