Do it Yourself Wall Panels

Wall panels are easily tacked in place over walls.

Wall paneling is a quick and easy way to update a room with a slightly different look. Vinyl-covered pressed board, wood like panels or real wood are among the choices of paneling you can install. These thin panels are light and easy to handle, requiring only a few nails and glue to install. The project takes anywhere from a few hours to a day to install, depending on the size of the room.

Things You'll Need

• Level
• Stud finder
• Saber saw
• Construction adhesive
• Finishing nails
• Hammer

Instructions

1. Check the walls with a level to see whether there are any places that stick out. Sand down any unevenness.

2. Measure the wall and subtract 1/2 inch for the top and bottom. This gap allows for expansion. Measure and cut all panels to this height.

3. Find the wall studs, using a stud finder. They should be 16 inches apart. Mark their locations on the wall, putting one mark at the bottom of the wall where there will be a gap.

4. Tap finishing nails through the panels at the top. Place four nails along the top edge of the panels, putting one nail in the corners and the two others spaced between.

5. Squirt adhesive on the back of the first panel and let it sit for three minutes until it gets tacky. Have someone help you lift it up against the wall in the corner. Press it up to within 1/4 inch of the ceiling and into the corner. Use a level to adjust it to be vertical. If there is a small gap at any point along the side, it will be covered by paneling on the adjacent wall.

6. Tap the nails in at the top to attach the panel of the wall. Press the panel in to adhere the glue to the surface. Finish nailing the panel to the wall with more finishing nails going down each stud. Place nails along the studs, spacing them about 12 to 18 inches apart. Try to tack them in along dark panel lines.

7. Attach the next panel to the wall with glue and nail in place the same as the last. Leave a 1/16-inch gap between panels for expansion. Repeat to install the rest of the panels.

8. Measure out to locations where there are outlets, windows or vents and measure the opening. Transfer the measurements to the panel and mark the location. Cut out the openings with a saber saw.

Tips & Warnings

• Cover the gap at the bottom with a baseboard.

• If you don't want to follow the studs for installation, tack furring strips horizontally across the studs. Tack one into the studs at the ceiling space and more below it about every 18 inches. No matter how the spacing works out for your wall height, tack the last furring strip 1/4 inch up from the floor.

References

• Georgia Pacific: Decorative Wall Panel Installation Instructions
• Home Tips: How to Panel a Wall