How to Glue Beadboard to a Wall

Beadboard is often used on ceilings as seen on this porch overhang.

When installing beadboard, first draw the layout lines on the wall. Start the installation at an outside corner – a corner that protrudes from the wall – if one is available; if not, start at a corner that is recessed into the wall. Gluing beadboard is meant to temporarily hold it in place while you nail it in permanently to the wall.

Things You'll Need

• Construction adhesive
• Caulking gun
• Finishing nails
• Nail set
• Hammer
• Level

Instructions

1. Drill pilot holes into the beadboard. These will be used later to nail the boards into the wall.

2. Squeeze out four or five horizontal stripes of adhesive on the wall using the caulking gun. Make each stripe of adhesive about 1 or 2 feet long.

3. Fit each board's groove over the tongue of the previous board, making sure to align the top edge with the layout line. Press the wood into the adhesive.

4. Using the nail set and hammer, hammer the nails through the beadboard and into the wall.

5. Check with a level to make sure that the boards remain even with the layout line as you nail them to the wall.

Tips & Warnings

• Start the installation of the beadboard on the most visible part of the wall and try to end at the least visible part of the wall.

• Don't apply all the adhesive at once, the top layer will dry out.

References

• This Old House; How to Install Beadboard Wainscoting;Tom Silva
• This Old House; How to Install Beadboard Wainscoting; Tom Silva

Resources

• "Decorating 1-2-3": Home Depot