Wallpaper for Historic & Older Michigan Homes
Metro Detroit is home to thousands of beautiful pre-war homes, mid-century Colonials and Victorian-era houses — many with original plaster walls that require specialized preparation before any wallpaper can be successfully installed.
Troy Wallcovering has deep experience working with these unique substrates. We understand the quirks of lime plaster, horsehair-reinforced walls, and the settling cracks that come with a century of Michigan winters. Our approach prioritizes protecting the integrity of your home's original architecture while delivering a beautiful, lasting installation.
Schedule a consultation for your historic home.
Working with Older Walls & Plaster
Plaster walls present challenges that modern drywall does not: uneven surfaces, hairline cracks, areas of delamination and a substrate that doesn't accept adhesive the same way. Skipping proper preparation on these walls leads to bubbling, peeling and eventual failure.
Our historic home process includes:
- Thorough plaster assessment — identifying cracks, soft spots and delaminated areas
- Stabilization of loose plaster sections before prep begins
- Skim coating to create a smooth, even surface
- Application of oil-based or shellac primer to seal porous plaster
- Cross-lining with lining paper to bridge minor imperfections
- Selection of wallpaper weights appropriate for the substrate
Preservation Mindset
Not every imperfection needs to be erased. Part of the character of an older home is its history — slight undulations in plaster, hand-crafted trim profiles, original crown molding. We work around these features with care, fitting wallpaper precisely to original architectural details rather than forcing a modern approach onto historic fabric.
We've worked extensively on homes in Sterling Heights, Warren and Dearborn — communities with significant mid-century and pre-war housing stock.
Talk to us about your historic home project.
Materials for Historic Homes
- Traditional paste wallpapers: Period-appropriate choice for older homes
- Non-woven wallpapers: Dimensional stability, paste-the-wall application ideal for plaster
- Lining paper: Bridging surface imperfections for smoother results
- Natural materials: Grasscloth, sisal, seagrass — historically inspired textures
- Reproduction historic patterns: Available through our trade accounts
Our Process for Historic Homes
- Home Visit & Assessment: Examine plaster condition, moisture levels and architectural details.
- Repair & Stabilization: Fill cracks, re-bond loose sections, patch damaged areas.
- Skim Coat: Apply smooth finish coat where surface is too irregular for direct papering.
- Primer: Shellac or oil-based primer to seal plaster and create proper hang surface.
- Lining Paper: Applied horizontally to further smooth surface and improve adhesion.
- Wallpaper Installation: Careful, methodical installation respecting all original details.
- Trim & Detail Work: Precise cutting around original trim, ceiling medallions and architraves.
Preserve Your Home's Character
Our historic home specialists are ready to help. Contact us for a free in-home assessment.