I'm in the process of buying an old house (about 175 years!) and I've got cork walls in the living room. I'm unsure of what might be underneath them. Should I try to remove the cork, or just put gypsum board over it? Also, would it be a good idea to hire someone for this job? If so, what type of professional should I look for? I've owned a condo before, but that was already renovated, so I don't know much about home improvements.
3 Answers
Whether you decide to tear it down or cover it, there are pros and cons. Tearing it down means you get to see what's behind it, which is a good chance to check your plumbing and wiring, but it also means you're dealing with a ton of debris to haul away. On the flip side, just covering the cork will keep things cleaner, but you'll definitely need to adjust any trim work around windows and doors due to the extra thickness. Also, realize that with an older house, nothing might be standard size, making it a bit of a puzzle to fit everything together nicely. If you go for a DIY approach, the demo can be a hands-on way to learn more about your house, just make sure you've got some tools and patience!
You might discover plaster underneath those cork walls, but it's tough to say if it's in good shape. It could just be hiding some damage, which is likely why someone covered it up in the first place. If you decide to cover the plaster with drywall, you'll avoid a big mess but have to re-trim your doors and windows to fit the additional thickness. Just a heads up, working with trim on a house that's 175 years old can be tricky since things aren't likely to be perfectly square! Take your time, watch some how-to videos, and don't worry if it doesn't turn out perfect on the first go. If you do go the demo route, just be ready for a big cleanup job, plus you could find more work waiting for you behind those cork walls.
Have you thought about leaving the cork for a while? It might be worth checking it out as-is, especially since cork can be great for sound absorption. If you enjoy music or watching movies, it could serve as a unique feature rather than a problem. Plus, if the cork is in good shape, you could save yourself the hassle of renovations altogether!