How Do I Hang Door Skins As Wall Panels?

Door skins come in a variety of colors or textures, which can create a dramatic appearance when mounted onto walls.

Doors become worn and dilapidated over years of use. Replacing a door can cost several hundreds of dollars -- an expense that may not be in everyone's budget. Door skins provide an option for homeowners to easily dress up a door and make it look like new. Door skins are also an inexpensive alternative to wall paneling for decorating the bottom border of a wall in your home.

Things You'll Need

• Door skins
• Tape measure
• Wall border trim
• Level
• Hand saw
• Liquid nails
• Straight edge
• One box finishing nails
• Hammer

Instructions

1. Measure the wall area where the door skins will be installed. This step will determine how many panels you will need for the wall space.

2. Place the door skin horizontally on the floor with the top edge of the door skin pressed into the corner area of the wall. The back side of the door skin should be facing up while the side to be displayed should be facedown on the floor.

3. Apply a liquid nail to the back side of the door skin as well as to the wall area where it will be installed. Allow the liquid nail to set for three to five minutes.

4. Line the door skin to the bottom and corner edge of the wall and gently press it onto the wall. Smooth the skin to the wall with your hand by rubbing in a circular motion to remove any air bubbles.

5. Measure the wall area that remains to be covered. Mark the length on the door skin and use a straight edge to create an even line. Cut the end-door skins to size with a hand saw.

6. Line up the next tile to the edge of the previously installed door skin.Continue to line up the door skins with the one previously installed. Apply a liquid nail to each door skin to be installed and place it on the surface in the same manner.

7. Attach wall trim above the door skins with finishing nails. Line the bottom of the trim with the top edge of the door skin. Use a level to ensure that the trim goes on straight, and apply a finishing nail every 12 inches along the length of the trim.

8. Attach trim to the top of each door skin section. Measure the remaining area at the end of the wall and cut the wall trim to size with a hand saw.

References

• Western Panel: Door Skins for Flush Doors
• Liquid Nails

Resources

• Decoraids: Decorative Door Skins