# Wallpaper over concrete? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 28, 2007, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wallpaper-over-concrete/420864 "2007-09-28T20:33:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![xnylder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/bbce88/32.png) [@xnylder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xnylder)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2007, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wallpaper-over-concrete/420864/1 "2007-09-28T20:33:45Z")
(I’m not sure if home decoration fits under Café Society, so please move this, mods, if it belongs somewhere else.) OK, the hubby and I just bought a new condo. I’m happy as a proverbial clam. It’s being painted today and tomorrow, and we’re moving in next week. One issue of contention is the ceilings. They’re bare concrete, for that modern, industrial look. I kind of like it, but hubby is grumbling. Painting it seems kind of pointless as it’ll look uneven anyway. Plan A is to lighten the look with concrete dye, but I’m having a hard time finding a professional in my area who can do it. Plan B, suggested by my dad, is tiling. I like the look of tin tile ceilings, but they’re awfully expensive. I’ve found a [wallpaper](http://www.usawallpaper.com/silahemewa.html) (trust me, it looks better in person) that simulates tin tile for a reasonable price. My question is, can I apply this directly to concrete? Hubby thinks no, I’m pretty sure yes, so I appeal to Dopers’ greater wisdom in this situation. Has anyone here wallpapered concrete? Or is it just such an absurd idea that I shouldn’t be thinking of it? Thanks for any advice. ---
**Author:** ![\_bolding\_mine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/_/77aa72/32.png) [@\_bolding\_mine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/_bolding_mine)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2007, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wallpaper-over-concrete/420864/2 "2007-09-28T20:53:46Z")
Depends on how dusty the concrete is. Some is smooth and hard. That should work. But if you can pass your finger over it and leave a permanent streak, then the paper will just fall off. It’s easy enough to check with a small sample of paper. ---
**Author:** ![\_bolding\_mine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/_/77aa72/32.png) [@\_bolding\_mine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/_bolding_mine)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2007, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wallpaper-over-concrete/420864/3 "2007-09-28T20:55:58Z")
Actually, that site you linked to would be your expert, since it’s their product. They have an 800 number you can call. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2007, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wallpaper-over-concrete/420864/4 "2007-09-28T21:56:43Z")
[QUOTE=xnylder] Painting it seems kind of pointless as it’ll look uneven anyway. [/QUOTE] How do you feel about a faux finish in a treatment that would work with the unevenness? It would at least lighten up the ceiling. I think you could also get rolls of self-adhering mesh which you could then skim coat and paint. Of course that’s a lot of messy work! ---
**Author:** ![xnylder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/bbce88/32.png) [@xnylder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xnylder)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2007, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wallpaper-over-concrete/420864/5 "2007-09-29T13:15:01Z")
\*\*[bolding mine] \*\*(nice username, btw!), I’ve done the dust test you suggested and it’s not that bad. It isn’t really smooth, though. Oh, and the 1-800 number on that site isn’t available from Canada, unfortunately. **gigi** , I like your faux finish idea too. I’ll think about this some more and continue my research. Thanks!