Wallpaper Installation & Removal - Lehigh Valley PA
Expert wallpaper services in Easton, Bethlehem, Allentown, Nazareth, and surrounding communities. 15+ years of experience with every wall type - including the plaster walls found in older Lehigh Valley homes.
Wallpaper Specialists in the Lehigh Valley
Most painters say they do wallpaper. Few actually specialize in it. Joseph Assise III Painting has been handling wallpaper installation and removal across the Lehigh Valley for over 15 years - including the challenging plaster walls found in Easton row homes, Bethlehem colonials, and older properties throughout the region.
Wallpaper requires patience, precision, and a fundamentally different skill set than paint application. Seam placement, pattern matching, adhesive selection, wall prep, and the specific handling of older substrates like plaster all determine whether the finished product looks professionally installed or amateurish. We get the details right.
Whether you want to remove old wallpaper and start fresh, or install a new design that transforms a room, we can handle the full project from start to finish - including all prep, priming, and painting after installation if needed.
What We Do
Wallpaper Removal
Safe, damage-free removal of all wallpaper types - including layers over layers, pre-pasted, and fabric-backed papers. We use the right scoring and steaming techniques for your specific wall type, then repair and prime the wall properly before any new finish is applied.
Especially skilled with: Older Easton and Bethlehem homes with original plaster walls, multi-layer removal, and paper hung directly on drywall without proper sizing.
Wallpaper Installation
Professional installation of all wallpaper types. We prime and size the wall properly before hanging, match patterns precisely, place seams where they will be least visible, and wrap and trim around all architectural features cleanly.
Types installed: Vinyl, paper-backed vinyl, grasscloth, fabric-backed, string, cork, peel-and-stick, designer and boutique wallpapers, and commercial-grade products.
Accent Walls & Feature Rooms
A single wallpapered accent wall - in a dining room, primary bedroom, or entryway - transforms a space completely. We handle single-wall projects with the same precision as full-room installations. Bring us your wallpaper choice or ask for recommendations based on your room dimensions and existing palette.
Removal + Paint Finish
Our most common wallpaper project: remove old paper, repair and prime the walls, then paint the room in a new color. We handle the entire project in sequence - you end up with beautifully finished painted walls without coordinating multiple contractors.
Border Removal
Wallpaper borders from the 1990s and 2000s are still common in Lehigh Valley homes. We remove them cleanly and patch the line they leave behind, leaving a smooth surface ready for paint.
Wallpaper Repair
Bubbles, lifted seams, and torn sections can often be repaired rather than replaced entirely. We assess damage and recommend repair vs. full replacement based on what gives you the best result.
Why Older Homes Require a Specialist
Easton, Bethlehem, Allentown, and Northampton County are full of homes built before 1960 - many with original plaster walls. Wallpaper removal on plaster requires completely different technique than on modern drywall.
Standard scoring tools that work fine on drywall can gouge plaster badly. Too much water or steam during removal can soften and damage the plaster face. And older plaster often has loose, blown sections that become apparent only after wallpaper is removed - requiring repair before any new finish can go on.
We have removed wallpaper from hundreds of plaster-wall homes in the Lehigh Valley. We know how to read plaster, where the vulnerabilities typically are, how to remove paper without causing damage, and how to repair blown sections when they appear. If you have an older home and you are nervous about wallpaper removal, that is exactly the situation where experience matters most.
Plaster Wall Checklist
- ✓ No power scoring tools on plaster
- ✓ Controlled moisture application
- ✓ Manual removal technique
- ✓ Inspect for blown plaster areas
- ✓ Skim coat repairs before priming
- ✓ Oil-based primer on repaired sections
- ✓ Full prime before any finish
What Wallpaper Services Cost in the Lehigh Valley
Wallpaper Removal Only
Single layer, standard drywall: $1.50-$2.50 per sq ft
Multi-layer or plaster walls: $2.50-$4.00 per sq ft
Typical bedroom (12x12): $400-$700
Includes removal only. Wall prep and priming quoted separately.
Removal + Wall Prep + Paint
Most popular package. Includes removal, all repairs, priming, and 2-coat paint finish.
Typical bedroom all-in: $900-$1,500
Typical dining room all-in: $1,200-$2,000
Paint cost included. Final price depends on room size, condition, and color change.
Wallpaper Installation
Labor only (you supply paper): $3.00-$6.00 per sq ft
Labor + paper supplied by us: varies by selection
Typical accent wall: $400-$800
Includes wall sizing and priming. Pattern matching complexity affects pricing.
All prices are ranges for planning purposes. Every job is quoted individually after a site visit. We provide written, itemized estimates - no surprises.
Wallpaper Questions Answered
How much does wallpaper removal cost in Easton PA?
Wallpaper removal in the Lehigh Valley typically runs $1.50-$4.00 per square foot depending on number of layers, adhesive type, and wall condition. A standard bedroom is usually $400-$900 all-in, including wall prep and priming ready for paint.
Can wallpaper be removed without damaging plaster?
Yes - with proper technique and the right products. Older Easton and Bethlehem homes with original plaster walls require a more careful approach than modern drywall, but experienced wallpaper specialists can remove it cleanly in almost all cases. The key is controlled moisture, the right tools, and patience.
How long does wallpaper installation take?
Most wallpaper installation projects in a single room take 1-2 days: one day for prep and priming, one day for hanging. Complex patterns, grasscloth, or murals may take longer. Full-room installations in larger spaces (dining rooms, master bedrooms) typically take 2-3 days total.
Can you paint over wallpaper instead of removing it?
Technically yes, but we rarely recommend it. Seams telegraph through paint over time, bubbling is common as moisture from paint penetrates the paper, and painting over wallpaper makes eventual removal far more difficult and expensive. Removal and a fresh start is almost always the better long-term investment.
What types of wallpaper do you install?
We install all wallpaper types: vinyl, paper-backed vinyl, grasscloth, fabric-backed, string, cork, peel-and-stick removable paper, and designer or boutique wallpapers from any brand. We are experienced with pattern matching, seam placement strategy, and working around architectural features like doors, windows, chair rails, and wainscoting.
Do you supply wallpaper or do I need to buy it?
Either way works. Many clients purchase their own wallpaper from a retailer, showroom, or online - we install whatever you provide. We can also source wallpaper directly from our supplier network if you prefer to have us handle selection and procurement. We always calculate the correct number of rolls based on your room dimensions and pattern repeat.