How can I take down wood paneling and install new sheetrock, is it expensive?

Question

I have wood paneling in a bedroom and it has been painted over with blue paint, so it just looks hideous. How can I take it down, and how difficult and expensive will it be to put up new sheetrock?

Answer 1

I had some old paneling that was in my mobile home since 1978 and when I painted it, the absorbed nicotine bled through and stained the white paint yellow. So what I did was get a couple of buckets of spackling and applied it over the paneling making swirls and swishes to make it decorative. Then I primed it and painted over it. Then I did a faux finish on some walls to help disquise the fact that the paneling seams and groves were still there. Everyone loves what I did with it and they don't even notice the seams unless I mention it first. It takes drying time in between each coat so it can take some time, but it is an inexpensive way to disguise the paneling.

Answer 2

I wouldn't worry about the expense, I would think about the work though. If your a lady and I'm assuming you are, your doing this yourself? then it's going to be a chore.
Sheet-rock weights 34 pounds a sheet but it's four feet by eight feet and very clumsy to work with. I've done many jobs with this and it's hard for a man that's in good physical condition.
I'm not saying you can't so don't get upset, it's just hard. If you think you can maneuver these sheets around then give it a try.
Put in a sheet-rock nail here and there to hold it, straighten it out some, then another nail. Mark the studs along the bottom at least if you can. Then the top, mark these with a line using a eight foot straight stick. Then put your nails in along the lines, about four to a line with one at the top and bottom. Leave a knife blade space between the sheets and continue.
Cut the sheets on a flat floor, I use a four foot metal ruler rather then buy an expensive cutter and a Stanley knife (box cutter)
Remember to measure twice, cut once. Good luck.

Make sure there's a stud along each edge, of each sheet or you will have trouble later.

Answer 3

Taking Down Paneling

Answer 4

It isn't really hard. It is nailed to the studs and you just have to pull it off. Sheetrock is really not that expensive $8 a sheet. You tack it to those same studs and then tape and spackle, sand and paint. Price really depends on the size of the room. Measure it and then go to Home Depot or Lowes and see how much you are going to need. If you want to sound proof that room put up some roll-out insulation before you sheetrock.

Answer 5

Sheetrock isn't that easy if you don't know how to do it and have never seen anyone do it either.
I'd call a company and get a quote or visit anearby construction site where they are installing drywall and ask if anyone could do it on the side.

One wall should cost you about 200 bucks that way.

Answer 6

Sheetrock is relatively inexpensive. The job is 90% labor. More than likely, the paneling was installed over an existing dry wall or plastered walls. You might be able to repair whats there. if not, installing new dry wall is not that difficult.

Answer 7

If your paneling this thick (3/4") use a pry bar to remove it. If it is thin (1/8") just install the drywall material over it. In either case there are hidden problems:

all electrical switches and outlets will have to be moved to be flush with the new surface,

door and window casings and baseboards will have to be removed and replaced. Also, if the wall becomes thicker the door jambs may have to be modified to account for the thicker wall.

if you have any arched openings things just got trickier again.

Answer 8

materials are cheap; labor is expensive ($10-$15 for a 4X8 sheet of drywall), could be a few thousand in labor if you do none of it yourself

a hammer and crow bar will remove old coverings, I would take it down to studs unless the paneling peels off easily and there is drywall in good shape underneath

a novice could do the job in a few weekends, but expect that in reality the room will be out of service for a month if you DIY.

Answer 9

Just pull it off with a crowbar. As to replacing it, it is actually fairly cheap to do, but it will depend on if you do it yourself or have it done, and if there are any intricate areas that have to be worked around (arches, vaults).

Answer 10

why not just cover the panneling with some 1/4 sheet rock, it'll save you a bunch ...just a thought.