Virginia & Washington DC
202-743-5072
Wallpaper Removal & Installation Services
by Northern Star Painters | Northern Virginia | Washington DC | DMV
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Wallpaper Removal & Installation Services by Northern Star Painters
Welcome to Northern Star Painters, the wallpaper removal and installation specialists for homeowners across Northern Virginia and Washington DC. We are a Virginia Class A licensed and DC licensed contractor with an in-house crew — never subcontracted — trained on steam removal, chemical stripping, adhesive remediation, skim coating, and paste-the-wall, peel-and-stick, and grasscloth installation. Whether you inherited 1970s vinyl wallpaper from a previous owner or want a fresh mural in a powder room, we handle removal-and-paint-ready, or installation-from-roll, in a single visit.
Wallpaper removal goes wrong when contractors skip the skim coat. Old paste damages drywall paper underneath; painting over the damage telegraphs every paste line and torn fiber within 6 months. We always skim-coat after removal, prime to a paint-ready substrate, and document the wall condition before any new paint or paper goes up. We currently work on wallpaper in 32 cities across the DC and Northern Virginia region.
Our Wallpaper Removal Process
Six steps that turn wallpaper removal from a destruction project into a paint-ready or paper-ready surface.
Wall Assessment
Not all wallpaper comes off the same way. We test a small section first to see whether it is strippable (peels off in one piece, leaves paste residue), traditional (needs steam or chemical to break the bond), or pre-1980 vinyl-on-paper (almost always needs skim coating after). The test patch tells us the right tools, the right schedule, and the right line-item price before any deposit.
Steam & Strip Old Paper
Modern strippable wallpaper peels off dry in long sheets. Older paper needs steam (industrial steamer at 212°F to break the paste bond) or chemical solution (DIF or Piranha on heavy paste). We work in 4×4 ft sections, peel slowly to keep the paper intact, and contain debris with floor-to-ceiling drop cloths.
Adhesive Removal
Stripping the paper leaves paste residue on the wall. Painting over paste residue causes the new finish to peel within months. We wash every wall surface with a TSP-and-water solution (or a manufacturer-specific adhesive remover for pre-1980 vinyl pastes), rinse twice, and let the wall dry for 24 hours before any patching or priming.
Skim Coat & Sand
Almost every wallpaper removal job needs a skim coat — especially on walls where the original paste damaged the drywall paper face. We apply lightweight joint compound in three thin passes, feather the edges, and sand to a uniform surface. The result is a wall that looks like fresh drywall, ready for primer and paint.
Prime the Surface
Skim-coated walls are very porous and pull paint unevenly without a primer coat. We apply a high-build drywall primer (typically Sherwin-Williams ProBlock or Benjamin Moore Fresh Start) at full coverage. Primed walls hold the new topcoat evenly and protect against any residual paste pull-through.
Final Walk-Through (or New Wallpaper Install)
If you stop at paint-ready, we walk the wall with you with a flashlight, checking for missed paste residue, sand lines, or telegraphed seams. Anything we find gets fixed before sign-off. If you want fresh wallpaper installed, we move to that next: paste-the-wall, peel-and-stick, grasscloth, or mural — we install all standard types and match seams precisely.
How Much Does Wallpaper Removal Cost in Northern Virginia & DC?
Most wallpaper removal jobs in Northern Virginia and Washington DC run $3 to $7 per square foot of wall area, including skim coat and prime. A typical 200-square-foot room (bedroom or powder room with 4 walls of paper) runs $700–$1,400. The most accurate way to know your number is a free in-home estimate.
- Wallpaper type — strippable (cheaper) vs traditional (needs steam) vs pre-1980 vinyl (always needs skim coat)
- Wall condition behind the paper — intact drywall vs paste-damaged paper face vs heavy water damage
- Skim coat scope — spot skim on isolated damage vs full-wall skim on heavy paste pull-through
- Wall area and ceiling height — standard 8 ft ceilings vs cathedral or stairwell walls
- Furniture and fixture work — bathroom installations and kitchen walls take longer because of cabinet, vanity, and fixture protection
- New wallpaper installation — if you want fresh paper installed after removal, that runs an additional $3–$6 per square foot depending on the paper type
The most accurate way to know your cost is a free in-home estimate.
Book Your Wallpaper Removal Estimate Today
Free in-home consultation within 48 hours, anywhere in our 32-city service area.
Other Services by Northern Star Painters
Specialty work that often pairs with this service — or stands on its own.
Cabinet Refinishing
Kitchen and bath cabinet refinishing in your home. Hand-sanded, primed, and sprayed for a factory-smooth finish at a fraction of replacement cost.
Learn MoreDrywall Repair
Holes, cracks, water damage, popcorn-ceiling scarring — repaired, sanded, and feathered to match the surrounding wall before paint.
Learn MoreDeck & Fence Staining
Deck and fence cleaning, sanding, and staining. Solid, semi-transparent, or transparent finishes that protect against UV and Mid-Atlantic moisture.
Learn MoreWallpaper Removal
Steam-strip, scrape, skim-coat, and prime any wall back to a paint-ready surface. New wallpaper hung straight and seam-matched.
Learn MoreBrick Painting
Limewash, German-smear, and full brick painting using breathable masonry paint that lets brick dry between weather cycles.
Learn MoreStucco Repairs & Painting
Crack repair, patch, and elastomeric coating for stucco exteriors — color-matched and weather-sealed to last 7-10 years.
Learn MoreVinyl & Aluminum Siding
Yes — vinyl and aluminum siding can be painted. We use vinyl-safe colors and bonding primer so paint adheres without warping or flaking.
Learn MoreColor Consultations
Sixty-minute in-home color consultation with a staff designer. Whole-house palette, accent walls, and trim coordination — written palette to take with you.
Learn MoreWhen Should You Remove or Install Wallpaper?
Wallpaper is one of the most reversible updates you can make to a home — here is when to act.
- You inherited a previous owner's paper — the most common reason we get called in; outdated patterns date the home and reduce resale appeal
- Paper is peeling, lifting, or showing seams — humidity changes have broken the paste bond; removal is easier now than after the paper tears further
- You want a fresh design in a powder room or accent wall — wallpaper has had a strong design comeback; statement papers in small rooms are very on-trend
- You are selling and want neutral walls — remove and paint to broaden buyer appeal; the cost typically returns 2–4x in faster sale time
- You renovated and the old paper does not fit the new design — new flooring, cabinets, or trim makes old paper look dated even faster
- You want to repaint a wallpapered room — painting over wallpaper traps moisture and causes the paper to lift; remove first, always
A few situations say wait. Asbestos-era paper (pre-1985 on certain brands) needs an asbestos test before any removal — we cannot legally remove suspected ACM paper. Active leaks behind the wall need a roofer or plumber first. Otherwise removal is almost always the right move.
Why Northern Virginia & DC Homeowners Choose Northern Star for Wallpaper
✅ In-House Crew, Never Subcontracted
Every Northern Star painter is on our payroll, trained on wallpaper-specific removal and skim coating, and accountable to our 2-year warranty. You will not meet a stranger on day one.
✅ Skim Coat Is Always Included
We always include the skim coat in the quote, even when you might be able to skip it. Painting over paste-damaged drywall paper is the number-one cause of recall calls in this industry; we will not cut that corner.
✅ Test Patch Before Quote
We test a small section of your paper before quoting so you get a real price, not a guess. Pre-1980 vinyl pastes and modern strippable papers come off completely differently — the test patch is how we know which scope applies.
✅ Installation, Not Just Removal
We install every major wallpaper type (paste-the-wall, peel-and-stick, grasscloth, mural) with the same crew that does the removal. One project, one warranty, one point of accountability.
✅ Bathroom & Kitchen Specialty
Bathrooms and kitchens are the most common wallpaper rooms and the most fixture-heavy. We protect cabinets, vanities, mirrors, and tile during removal, and we re-mount fixtures cleanly afterward.
✅ 2-Year Workmanship Warranty
Written into every contract. If the new paint or paper peels, bubbles, or fails from workmanship within 24 months, we come back at no charge.
Common Questions About Wallpaper Removal & Installation
Can all wallpaper be removed?
Almost always. Modern strippable papers peel off dry in long sheets. Older paper needs steam (industrial steamer at 212°F) or chemical solution (DIF, Piranha) to break the paste bond. Pre-1980 vinyl-on-paper sometimes leaves the original drywall paper damaged underneath and requires skim coating before any new paint or paper goes up. Pre-1985 wallpaper with suspected asbestos backing requires asbestos testing before removal — we cannot legally remove ACM paper.
Do you skim-coat after removal?
Yes — included on every wallpaper removal project. After the paper is off, we wash residual paste with TSP, repair any drywall gouges, and skim-coat the wall in three thin passes to a paint-ready finish. Skipping the skim coat is the number-one cause of recall calls in this industry; we will not cut that corner.
How long does wallpaper removal take?
Most single rooms take 1–2 working days for removal + skim-coat + prime. Add 1–2 days if you want fresh paint or new wallpaper installed after. Whole-house wallpaper removal runs 3–6 days depending on room count and paper type. Bathrooms and kitchens take longer per room because of fixture, vanity, and cabinet protection.
Do you install new wallpaper?
Yes — we install every major type: paste-the-wall (modern non-pasted papers; we apply paste to the wall, not the paper), traditional paste-applied papers, peel-and-stick (renter-friendly, removable), grasscloth (natural fiber, needs special seam matching), and murals (panel-numbered, large-format). Bring us your roll count and we handle prep, paste, and seam-matching.
Can the wall be painted right after removal?
After our skim-coat dries (overnight) and primer coat is on (another 4 hours), the wall is ready for paint the next day. We bundle paint into the same project so it is one point of accountability and one warranty — you do not have to coordinate two crews or worry about who is responsible if the new paint shows a flaw.
Will removing wallpaper damage my drywall?
It depends on the paper and the wall. Modern strippable papers come off without damaging the drywall face at all. Pre-1980 vinyl-on-paper papers often damage the drywall paper because the paste was so aggressive. We test a small section before quoting so you know which scenario you are in. If the wall is damaged, the skim coat in our process restores it to a paint-ready finish — no extra cost, included in the line item.
How much does wallpaper removal cost in NoVA and DC?
Most jobs run $3–$7 per square foot of wall area, including the skim coat and prime. A typical 200-square-foot room (bedroom or powder room with 4 walls of paper) runs $700–$1,400. Whole-house wallpaper removal runs $3,500–$8,500 depending on room count. Free in-home estimates with line-item pricing.
Wallpaper Challenges We Handle
Three difficult situations that come up on almost every wallpaper job in the Mid-Atlantic.
Pre-1980 Vinyl on Paper
The hardest paper to remove and the most common in older Mid-Atlantic homes. Original paste was aggressive enough to bond to the drywall paper face. Strip and skim-coat is the only reliable approach — we have done hundreds of these and the skim coat is always included.
Paint Over Wallpaper (Removed)
Some homeowners try to paint over wallpaper to avoid the removal hassle. The paint locks moisture into the paper, the paper lifts, and the new paint cracks within 12 months. We strip the painted paper, skim-coat the damaged substrate, and restore the wall to paint-ready.
Grasscloth & Specialty Papers
Grasscloth has natural seams that have to be matched carefully (no two rolls are identical). Murals are panel-numbered and have to be hung in exact sequence. Peel-and-stick is renter-friendly but unforgiving on wall imperfections. We handle all three.
2-Year Workmanship Warranty
Every wallpaper removal and installation project from Northern Star Painters is backed by a written 2-year workmanship warranty. If our new paint peels, bubbles, or fails from workmanship within 24 months — or if a newly-installed paper lifts at the seams from installation error — we come back at no charge and make it right. The warranty is included in your contract.
The warranty does not cover damage from leaks, foundation settling that opens a paper seam, or impact damage from outside causes. But those are exactly the issues we look for during the free in-home inspection, so they get flagged up front. Most painting contractors in the region either avoid wallpaper jobs entirely or charge double and offer no warranty. We treat wallpaper as a core service and back it the same as our paint work.
Ready for a Free Wallpaper Estimate?
Free in-home wallpaper assessment within 48 hours. Removal, installation, or both.