Wallpaper Installation in 1970s Denver Homes

1970s Denver homes come with wall conditions that make wallpaper installation more complicated than any other era of construction. Orange peel texture, old wallpaper with damaged drywall underneath, and thinner drywall panels all require a specific approach that we’ve refined over hundreds of 1970s home installs across Denver, Aurora, and Lakewood.

Get a 1970s Home Estimate — (720) 719-8899

1970s Construction Characteristics

The 1970s building boom in Denver produced a massive number of single-family homes in neighborhoods like Green Valley Ranch, Aurora, Lakewood, Westminster, and along the C-470 corridor. These homes share recognizable construction characteristics that directly affect wallpaper installation.

The defining feature for wallpaper purposes is wall texture. Where Victorian and pre-war Denver homes have smooth plaster walls, 1970s homes almost universally have spray-applied texture: orange peel (a fine, bumpy texture), skip trowel (irregular hand-applied patches), and in some cases, heavy knockdown texture. None of these surfaces are suitable for wallpaper without prior treatment.

  • Orange peel texture: very common, medium difficulty to skim coat
  • Skip trowel texture: irregular pattern, requires more skim coat work
  • Knockdown texture: heaviest, needs aggressive skim coating
  • Thinner drywall (3/8” in some areas): more fragile during prep and removal
  • Popcorn ceilings: common in same era — full removal required before ceiling wallpaper

Why Texture MUST Be Skim Coated Before Wallpaper

There is no workaround for wall texture if you want wallpaper to look right. The bumps and ridges of orange peel or knockdown texture telegraph directly through any wallpaper thinner than heavy vinyl — which is most wallpaper. The resulting installation looks lumpy and unprofessional, and the high and low points of the texture create uneven adhesive contact, leading to bond failures over time.

Skim coating is the process of applying a thin layer of joint compound or skim coat plaster over the entire textured wall surface, then sanding it perfectly smooth. Done correctly, skim coating transforms a heavily textured 1970s wall into a smooth, paintable surface suitable for any wallcovering. It’s extra work and extra cost — but it’s non-negotiable if you want the installation to look right.

Skim Coat Process and Cost

A professional skim coat involves cleaning the wall, applying a bonding primer, applying one to three coats of joint compound with a wide taping knife, and finish-sanding between coats. The process for an average-sized room takes one to two days plus drying time. Cost in Denver typically runs $1.50 to $3.00 per square foot depending on texture severity — heavy knockdown costs more than fine orange peel.

We handle skim coating as part of our wall prep service. We assess your texture severity at the estimate and quote the full project — prep plus installation — so you know the real number upfront. No surprises when we show up and discover the walls need three days of prep work.

Removing Old 1970s Wallpaper — Handle With Care

Many 1970s Denver homes still have their original wallpaper — or have had wallpaper hung and subsequently painted over. Removing 1970s-era wallpaper from drywall requires care that’s different from removing paper from plaster. Drywall’s paper face is bonded to the gypsum core, and aggressive water or steamer application during wallpaper removal can saturate and delaminate that face paper, leaving a gouged, fuzzy surface that must be skim coated before anything new can go up.

We’ve repaired dozens of Denver walls where a previous removal attempt — often DIY — damaged the drywall face. The damage is repairable, but adds cost and time. Our removal process uses careful scoring, controlled moisture, and patience to remove the old paper without damaging the substrate. In cases where damage is found, we assess it immediately and adjust our prep plan accordingly.

How We Quote 1970s Homes Differently

A standard installation estimate assumes reasonably smooth, primed walls. A 1970s home estimate includes a thorough wall assessment for texture type and severity, existing wallpaper condition (painted-over paper is common and changes the removal approach), drywall face condition, and baseboard and trim condition. We quote 1970s homes with the full prep scope included — skim coat, repairs, primer — so the installation price reflects the real work involved.

Your 1970s Denver Home Deserves Proper Prep

We’ve worked in hundreds of 1970s Denver homes across Aurora, Lakewood, Thornton, Westminster, and the city proper. We know exactly what these walls look like and how to prepare them correctly. Whether you’re starting from textured walls, removing old paper, or dealing with painted-over wallpaper, we have the process and the experience to deliver a finished installation you’ll love.

Free 1970s Home Estimate — (720) 719-8899
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