Last Updated on January 18, 2021 by Kimberly Crawford
There are various types of wall paneling which people use for different purposes. Some are for decoration; others are for insulating the walls or for soundproofing.
The wall panels are of different materials. And you can install them on your wall permanently or in the short term.
Given that they’re many kinds of wall paneling, it can always give you a hard time choosing the best. We can help you break down the challenging task by showing you the types of wall paneling. With a more in-depth insight, you’ll have an easy time settling for the best according to your needs.
- Raised Panels
- Reclaimed Wood
- Shiplap
- Tongue and Groove
- Board and Batten
- Beadboard
- Flat Panels
- Plank Wall
Types of Wood Wall Paneling
With wood wall paneling, you will have a beautiful house with all the qualities of a modern look that you’ll love. Below is each type of wood wall paneling where we will show you their pros and cons to make a good pick.
Raised Panels
Raised wood walls are associated with the royal families since long ago and have become more popular right now. The raised panels come in various styles, including horizontal molding and vertical stiles, which you can see in most rich homes.
With raised panels on your walls, they’ll give you a unique look that resembles a protruding shelf. It has a 3D feature. And to install it, you should alter the MDF or wood panels with either lower molding or vertical stiles. Raised panels have six parts that include stile, top rail, cove molding, and top rail. The other parts are raised boards, bottom rail, and cap molding.
The combination of this style of paneling is a beautiful and unique wall. To buy the raised panels, prepare $10 t0 $ 30 for each square foot.
Reclaimed Wood
Suppose you have an interest in a wood panel chosen on reclaimed wood. It’s capable of adding value and incredible texture to your walls. It gives you the chance to stain it to your choice of color and even choose how to finish.
The most outstanding feature of reclaimed wood is its stylishness and rich history. Reclaimed wood is a common sight in rural setting homes and barns. But it’s gaining popularity very fast.
You can spot this kind of paneling in most old churches or industries, including saw marks and nail holes. You don’t need to worry about installation fees with reclaimed wood since you can fix it yourself.
Shiplap
Shiplap was first a wall panel in boats around the 19th century. The panels would Crisscross one another as they form a watertight seal. With the evolution in the interior design in the 20th century, shiplap had seams and notched panels.
The boards consist of MDF materials or wood, which you can fix vertically or horizontally, depending on your preference. It’s best if you install a shiplap in your kitchen area or living room to give it a natural feel. But remember, shiplap best suits the exterior fittings of the house. While in these rooms it will provide them with clean and neat lines that are very attractive.
Although this type of wood paneling is durable, it’s hard to clean. So, this means it will require much of your time when doing a thorough cleaning. To extend the life of this panel, and reduce maintenance costs, ensure its installation is done well. When the fixing is good, it won’t bend hence preventing water leakage that leads to rotting.
The cost of shiplap ranges between $2.50 and $7 for every square foot.
Tongue and Groove
There’s a notable resembles between shiplap and tongue and groove except on how they connect. In shiplap, the connection is through the rabbet joints. But the tongue and groove type of paneling needs a tongue and groove installation method. But if you’re keen enough, you’ll realize how they differ before installation.
Tongue and groove connections have been used in the woodworking industry for a long time. And this is in reference to its great features like holding the panels together. It would help if you were keen to note that tongue and groove apply to only wood that can interlock. Or the types with groove-like cuts at the sides.
Board and Batten
If you’re planning to give your home a new 3D look, pick on board and batten. It will also give you a perfect texture that blends with any type of decor. Before builders discovered its aesthetic look, it was only for exterior installations.
Still, now it’s the type of paneling that gives most homes a perfect look. With batten wall panels capable of giving your house a stylish and unique appearance. You can stain this kind of paneling to a color of your wish and also change them at will.
Board and batten can serve your walls longer so long as you maintain them in good shape. The cost of preserving them is also cheap if you compare it with other types of panels. However, it’s expensive to buy and install since it’s of high-quality materials and measure.
Board and batten comprise materials made of wood or vinyl. So, if you want the cheaper version between the two, go for vinyl. Vinyl will not in any way disappoint you since some types copy the exact look of the wooden one.
You should budget with $75 to $9 for each square foot if you’re going for the board and batten wood wall paneling. To install these panels, you need nails or glue and after vertically fixing them on the walls, cover them with battens. You can also cover the seams using small pieces of wood.
Beadboard
If you are interested in a wood wall that gives you a variety to choose from and of high quality, go for beadboard. It’s also pocket-friendly with different styles to offer don’t forget it also has different sizes. Going by its attractive look, you can mount it all over the walls or to a length of your choice, depending on what you can afford.
Its width varies between 1.5-3 inches, although you can trim it down to a size you love. Beadboard has two types: sheets and tongue-in-groove, and each needs a different time of installation. If you pick on tongue-in-groove, it will take most of your time and energy since you install each board independently. The sheet boards have varying lengths ranging between 4 to 8 feet.
The advantage of installing beadboard on your walls is that you can stain them to your choice color. Giving your house a personal feel with a natural and outstanding beadboard will never disappoint you. Decorating the rooms with beadboard panels is also easy as it can blend with any décor. But be ready for the challenging cleaning process it comes with as it includes grooves which can harbor dirt.
Given that beadboards come in different sizes and quality, their prices also differ. Going by material composition, wood will need you to spend more than you would on MDF. So, prepare to pay around $1 on wood while $0.5 or $0.75 on MDF for every square foot.
Flat Panels
With neat lines and a polished look, flat panels are the right choice for your walls. The great flat-panel style came into the limelight in the 19th century and ever since keeps becoming popular. With the flat panels, it will give you an alternative simple look than that of raised panels. Although it’s a simple design, it will give your walls a unique and impressive look.
Remember, the height of the paneling is of your choice, so go by your taste. You can either pick on the 28 inches or 32 inches, covering more than half of the wall. Flat panels have great textures that can blend well with any décor in the house. If you’re budgeting for flat panels spare around $7 to $10 per square foot.
Plank Wall
Plank walls can give your rooms a beautiful look rich in wood-like texture, creating a natural feel. You can either use reclaimed or new wood to get the perfect high-quality look. You can arrange them vertically or horizontally to install the boards and get a pattern you wish for.
If you want to for herringbone style, ensure the panels align in the right direction. The planks’ color will also determine the room’s beauty, so pick on the right one. The MDF plank version will cost you less than wood would. Remember, you can either buy the wood or cut it yourself to save on costs.
FAQs
Is Paneling Cheaper Than Drywall?
The notable difference between these types of paneling materials is their price, style, and installation time. You can spend around $5 for every square foot with a wood panel, while drywall will cost $1.5 for the same measurement.
But don’t forget that most builders prefer fixing both drywall and paneling at ago. You’ll get that you also end up buying both for your walls.
Is Wood Paneling Out of Style?
Wood paneling is still the in-thing in most walls except that some of its colors and design are outdated. Suppose your wall has dark plywood panels; know that’s not fashionable right now. However, you can repair it by sanding or painting to give it the latest style.
If you get the modern wood wall panel, you’ll merry at the great styles and patterns it offers. It’s also beautiful, so make sure you install it well to get a unique design.
What Is the Best Color to Paint Wood Paneling?
Like you’d pick any color for your standard rooms, so does that apply here. You can paint the wood paneling your favorite color and even mix them to get a perfect combination. Ensure the paint is oil-based or stain-blocking latex primer so that it can last longer.
How Can I Make Wood Paneling Look Good Without Paint?
You can make the wood paneling look good by hiding it under artwork so that the piece becomes the center stage of attraction. Curtains or shelves can also give your wood paneling a better look without having to paint it by distracting people’s view. You can also change the wood panels to regular walls or add some strips to it.
How Do You Make Wood Paneling Look Like Drywall?
Instead of replacing the whole wood panel after it becomes old, you can make it look like drywall. First, load in the seams with spackling fusion using a knife. Then sand the spackling compounds with smooth sandpaper.
Sanding will help make the hard edges to become soft and even. Doing this will make the spackling compound to cover the seams giving the paneling a new look which resembles drywall.
After the sanding, use primer paint to cover the wood paneling. To make the painting easy, use a paint roller and do it as you would to a regular wall. But ensure the seams are not visible through the paint.
To get a perfect look to repeat the process until you get high-quality drywall. You can opt for coats to make your work easier.
Conclusion
Wood wall panels are making a great comeback in the building industry, with homeowners opting for it. To choose the best type of wood, though, you need to have a deep understanding of all of them. Knowing what each type of wall panel contains will give you an easy time picking on the best that suits your needs and meets your budget. Remember, you can go for the DIY wall panel to save on costs.