Historic Home Wallpaper Installation

Historic homes across Joliet, Aurora, Cicero, and many Chicago suburbs were built with original plaster walls — a beautiful and durable construction method that presents unique challenges for wallpaper installation. We have spent years developing expertise in working with these surfaces, preserving the character of your home while achieving a beautiful, lasting result.

Schedule Historic Home Assessment

Challenges of Older Walls

Plaster walls in homes built before 1960 often present conditions that require specialist handling:

• Uneven or wavy surfaces from settling and age
• Hairline cracks and loose plaster sections
• Multiple layers of old paint or previous wallcovering
• Moisture migration through exterior walls
• Lime-based plaster that requires specific primer types

Our Preservation-Minded Approach

We never demolish to rebuild unless absolutely necessary. Our philosophy is to work with the existing surface — stabilizing, smoothing, and priming it to accept new wallcovering without destroying the original character of the room. We use appropriate specialty liners and primers for older plaster, and we take the time to properly cure and test the surface before installation begins.

Wall Preparation Process for Historic Homes

1. Assessment

   We inspect the plaster condition, test for moisture, and identify areas requiring repair.

2. Repair

   Cracks are filled, loose sections are re-bonded, and soft spots are consolidated.

3. Lining

   In some cases we apply a liner paper to bridge uneven surfaces and provide a uniform base.

4. Priming

   We apply a primer appropriate for plaster — not standard drywall primer — to ensure proper adhesion and prevent moisture issues.

5. Installation

   Wallcovering is installed with techniques adapted to the surface, ensuring straight seams on slightly uneven walls.

Cities With High Historic Home Density

We frequently work in Joliet, Aurora, Cicero, Elgin, and Waukegan — cities with significant pre-1960 housing stock.

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