When it comes to installing reclaimed wall paneling, there are a lot of very specific steps that must be followed in order for it to be durable and last a while. Every material is different and different manufacturers may have certain directions and recommendations that are specific to their product. However, these tips and tricks will help you no matter the material you are installing.
Of course, if you are installing anything in your home, you want it to look good once you are done. You spent time and money on it and if it ends up not looking right or lasting as long, there will be a lot of frustration and anger that comes from.
Tip #1 – Acclimate Your Materials
Before you start installing anything or working with your materials, give them time to acclimate. Make sure that the environment isn’t too hot or too moist and give the wood a chance to adjust to the environment. Don’t let your materials get exposed to excessive levels of moisture, or get too cold as they could expand or shrink. Spread out the materials and give them breathing room, because if they are in a tightly closed box they won’t be exposed to the climate and be able to acclimate.
Tip #2 – Prepare your backdrop
To prepare the wall behind the paneling, make sure the area is clean and dry and hasn’t been freshly painted. You also want to make sure the color of the wall is something dark and neutral like black so the size of the gaps isn’t as noticeable. Basically, you want to make sure your wall isn’t a bright color like white, pink, blue, red, or green.
Tip #3 – OSB or Plywood
Most people will install the paneling directly on the wall. While this is okay, it isn’t the most stable. If you add OSB or plywood to the surface before, you will get better stability and your paneling will secure easier to the wall. You also want to make sure that each board of paneling is cut to the proper length and size so you don’t encounter any mistakes. Double-check your measurements before you cut and make sure your cut is precise.
Tip #4 – Use nails or screws and adhesive
To give the paneling an extra layer of security, you want to use a construction grade wood adhesive along with your nails or screws. This way, if one of them falls down the line, the panel will still be secured in some way. We recommend that you use adhesive rather than caulking because the adhesive is stronger.
Tip #5 – Avoid Moisture
When you are deciding whether or not to install wall paneling in your home, make sure that the area you are installing doesn’t get exposed to high levels of moisture. For example, do not install wall paneling on the exterior of your home without the proper materials. Make sure that if you install paneling around windows, that you make sure when it rains that it does not come through the window, as it can damage the paneling.
Tip #6 – Don’t Be Afraid To Stand Out
When you are designing your accent wall, don’t be afraid to stand out and do things outside of the box. If you want different colored panels at random lengths, then do it! Every reclaimed paneling wall doesn’t have to look the same. You can be as creative as you wish because it is your wall and your home.
If you are interested in adding a feature wall to your home, check out our website and our blog page to learn more about reclaimed wood and to gain some design inspiration. We post weekly blogs full of new tips, tricks, and design ideas as well as a post on our social media accounts. Go follow us and see what new content we post daily. If you are interested in talking to a reclaimed wood specialist, come visit us or give us a call. We can get you some samples and start the buying process today!
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