Lincrusta - repair or get rid

[nodogz]

We have some damaged lincrusta (Victorian panelling) in our hallway and I don't know whether to replace it or try and repair it. I hope someone here has an answer which will steer me one way or another

Before we moved in there was a water leak in the wall and the one section/wall panelling bubbled and warped and has now cracked. Behind it the plaster looks dry and sound.

I've rang and emailed loads of painters and decorators and no one does lincrusta. I can't find much info on repair kits and they seem to be for the fancy patterns. I'm in Yorkshire and there's no one in a 70 mile drive!

I do like the rest of the panelling in the hallway and up the stairs - however there are a few places where the panelling is bubbling and warping. It's just old and you can see skirting boards etc just need caulking in a year or two

I'm half tempted to rip off the damaged panelling and stick on some mdf fake panelling and paint to match as its not going to last much longer with boisterous kids barging in to it.

Or I could find a specialist, redo the whole hallway and decorate/new flooring? But I'm really worried about our jobs this year and whilst we have some money I'd rather save it for a rainy day especially as the hallway is otherwise looking ok. It just looks like a big, messy expensive job!

Thank you if you got to the end of this indulgent whinge about my panelling!

Keep it if you can. Ours was a bit damaged in places but our builder managed to make it look decent. (Mainly near the skirting boards) It's hard to say without seeing it or knowing which wall it's on. Maybe join some social media groups where you'll find people who've come across it before? Or search Instagram? Loads of perfect Victorian houses on there to make us all feel inadequate!

Lincrusta is funny stuff but is really just a fancy wallpaper that is very hard wearing but looks delicate.
My neighbours redid theirs as their house had been stripped by the previous owner and it looks amazing (they've got an amazing 2 colour burnished paint finish and it's a thing of beauty) they are just DIYers
But took their own time to do it.
You can get restoration kits if they no longer stock your pattern

There is lots of online guidance on how to hang it & fix it ukwallpaper.co.uk/products/lincrusta-hanging-instructions.htm
traditionalpainter.com/lincrusta

classonedecorating.co.uk/decorating-services/lincrusta-installation-restoration/

We found that lincrusta still make the pattern used in our house, so we were able to replace a couple of damaged sections. It looks great!

Many thanks helpful people in my phone!

There is NO chance I could put up lincrusta myself. I have no practical skill whatsoever and I'm not being modest.

So friendly builders managed to patch your lincrusta and competent homeowners managed to sort it. Why are all my decorators just not wanting to do it? Maybe they know I'm poor! I've looked at that guy up in Birmingham but done think I can afford him and the 200mile round trip here!

There is a very active conservation group near me - the houses are a bit different to mine but they might have the friendly builders if there's no lincrusta people

This is my poor panelling, they do still make one very similar - I will just need someone to fit it.

Lincrusta is a time served decorators job, so a proper old school city and guilds. My dad did it years ago and my current decorator does. I can’t see any lincrusta in your picture though.

Where in Yorkshire are you? Mine is Leeds based and is good. Around £200 a day plus materials.

Thank plum, Leeds is 50 ish miles away but that may be the closest. I'm deepest darkest east Yorks.

I'm pretty sure it is lincrusta, it's very much like the Georgian panel design. I'd best check before I bring someone on a 100 mile trip

Just wondered if you managed to get sorted out......if you go on to lincrusta's own website (I did it through fb tonight and had a reply within minutes!!)
Send them a photo of the good part, they can tell you if it's current design...if not they can produce mould repair kit.
Our design is not current, going to find out the cost of repair kit.
As others have said any proper decorator would be able to fit it.
Hope this helps and good luck. Definitely keep it!!