What Can I Use to Cover 50-Year-Old Cardboard-Style Wallboard?

Paint

• Paint provides you with a versatile range of colors and applications to choose from. A textured paint application can help you hide any imperfections in your cardboard-style wallboard that accumulated during the last 50 years and will also camouflage seams covered by drywall tape. You can also paint a pattern on your walls to accomplish the same goals. Using paint to cover your wallboard allows you the option of choosing a color to match your furnishings or other building materials in the room.

Wallpaper

• Wallpaper provides an effective way to cover flawed 50-year-old cardboard-style wallboard since it allows you to place a covering over the wallboard. Unlike paint, wallpaper will completely cover imperfections since a different material rests on top of the wallboard. Wallpaper is available in a variety of colors and patterns, so it's not difficult to find a sample that matches your home's decor and your decorating style.

Wainscoting

• Wainscoting will let you cover the bottom portion of your wallboard, while also adding architectural detail to your home. This is an effective covering since you will install the wooden wainscoting over your old wallboard. Other types of paneling can be used in combination with the wainscoting or as a substitute.

Fabric

• Staple fabric to the wall to cover your old wallboard. A subtle pattern makes the wall covering coordinate with other walls, while a bold pattern makes the fabric wall the focal wall in the room. Hang the fabric from a long curtain rod to prevent damage to the wall.

Paper

• Paper is a material that can easily be adhered to your cardboard-style wallboard. Use decorative scrapbook paper to cover the wall and glue in place with a scrapbooking glue runner. This will prevent bubbles from forming in the paper. Add pictures and other mementos to make a feature wall in your room while reflecting your style and family memories.

Tile

• Tile is available in a variety of sizes, colors and textures that you can use to cover your wallboard. You may need to repair any gaps or holes in your wallboard with joint compound before applying tile to the wallboard. Ceramic tiles provide a subtle option that coordinates with many rooms. A mosaic pattern can add detail to a sparsely decorated area. Peel and stick tiles provide a faster installation and the ability to change out the design when you prefer.