The short answer
Yes, we serve Lockhart and the 32810 area. Specialist Wallpaper Installer handles removal of old paper, repair of concrete-block and plaster walls, and installation of new wallpaper, murals and commercial wallcoverings.
Our crew heads about 12 miles north from Orlando to reach Lockhart, an unincorporated community in Orange County with the 32810 ZIP code. Housing here leans toward established single-story homes, many of them concrete-block ranches with plaster or older drywall inside, along with some newer infill houses. Older walls bring their own puzzles: layers of paint, patched holes, sometimes paper from decades ago hiding under a coat of latex. We take the time to understand what is on your wall before deciding how to cover it.
Concrete-block homes and what is under the paint
Mid-century Florida ranch homes were usually built with concrete-block exterior walls. Inside, those block walls are often furred out and finished with drywall or plaster, while interior partitions may be framed differently. Each surface takes paste a little differently, so we feel, tap and test before we choose a primer.
It is common to find old wallpaper that someone painted over instead of removing. That shows up as bubbles, faint seam lines or a soft, papery feel when we score the surface. Painted-over paper usually has to come off, because new paste will soak into it and cause the old layer to release, taking your new paper with it.
- Tap and score test to find hidden paper layers
- Check exterior block walls for moisture before priming
- Seal porous plaster so it does not drink up adhesive
- Fill old anchor holes, cracks and outlet gaps
Removal done patiently
Stripping paper from an older Lockhart home can be slow, and rushing it causes damage that costs more time later. We break the painted or vinyl surface so water or a removal solution can reach the paste, then lift the layers in sections. Steam helps on stubborn goods, but we use it carefully on plaster.
After the paper is gone, we wash the walls to remove leftover adhesive, let them dry, and evaluate what remains. Gouges get filled, loose plaster gets secured and patched, and a skim coat goes on where the surface is rough. Only then do we prime.
Choosing new paper for an established home
Older homes look wonderful in papers with a bit of texture and forgiveness. Grasscloth, textured vinyls and heavier non-woven papers hide small wall irregularities far better than thin, glossy prints. If you want a crisp modern pattern, we can get the wall smooth enough for it, but that usually means more skim work.
Ranch layouts also lend themselves to focused accents: a papered hallway connecting the bedrooms, a feature wall in a living room, or a ceiling in a small bathroom. These small projects can update the feel of a house without taking on every room at once.
Climate considerations north of Orlando
Lockhart shares the same humid subtropical climate as the rest of the Orlando area. Hot, sticky summers with afternoon thunderstorms run from June through September, while winters are mild and drier. Block walls can hold moisture after long wet spells, so we always check readings on exterior-facing walls in summer.
We schedule around the June 1 to November 30 hurricane season as well. If a storm brings outages or water intrusion, we will wait until the home is dry and cooled again before installing anything.
What a typical Lockhart project looks like, step by step
Because older walls hold surprises, we break the work into clear stages so you always know where things stand. A first visit covers measuring, looking at the condition of each wall and talking through the paper you have in mind. If old coverings are present, we test a small patch so we can explain what removal will involve before anyone commits.
On work days, we lay drop cloths, pull furniture away from the walls, switch off power to outlets in the room and remove cover plates. Removal and repair come first and sometimes need a day to dry before priming. Installation follows once the primer has cured, and we finish by reinstalling plates, trimming any final edges and cleaning up paste from trim and floors.
Afterward, we leave simple care notes for the specific paper you chose. Most vinyls can be wiped with a damp cloth and mild soap, while natural fibers should only be dusted or vacuumed with a soft brush attachment. Knowing that in advance keeps the new walls looking good for years.
Our northern service area
Along with Lockhart, we regularly work in Eatonville, Maitland, Winter Park, Ocoee and Windermere. Businesses in the area can also book commercial vinyl wallcovering for offices and common spaces.
ZIP codes we serve
- 32810
