Don’t worry—I’m not talking about the dark, wood looking laminate sheets of decorative paneling that your grandparents had on the walls in their basement. These days decorative paneling options are much more attractive, and they enhance the aesthetic of the home. The paneling also provides an extra layer of insulation.
Decorative paneling can be installed in any room of the house. It can be applied on all the walls, just one wall, or the ceiling. It can also be installed in just a certain area—such as a fireplace surround or a backsplash. You can have it painted any color that you like, but you usually see it painted white.
Types of Decorative Paneling
Shiplap
Shiplap has been all the rage for the past few years thanks to Chip and Joanna Gaines. Additionally, the clean, crisp lines have a coastal or beach feel, and they look great in cottages and farmhouses.
Shiplap started out as a waterproof covering for the exterior of the home. It is made up by grooved, horizontal boards. These boards are positioned tightly together. Also, a rabbet joint along the top and bottom of the boards joins them together and makes it appear that the boards are overlapping.
Shiplap is more durable than drywall, but it takes time and effort to clean because all the grooves will collect dust.
Tongue and Groove
The tongue and groove decorative paneling is similar looking to shiplap. This is because it is made up of horizontal boards. But the main difference between the two is how the boards are joined. With tongue and groove boards, the tongue of a board fits into the groove of the board either above or below it. The boards fit very snugly into place and will keep out the dust and dirt.
Beadboard
Beadboard features evenly spaced, vertical boards. The typical width of the boards are between 1 and 5 inches, and the height will can run either halfway up the wall or be the full height of the wall. Beadboard can be made up of either individual boards or can come in sheets that look like individual boards. The individual boards are more expensive and more labor intensive to install. The grooves are also susceptible to trapping dirt.
Board and Batten
Board and batten decorative paneling features vertical boards that have a narrow piece of molding covering each joint. Previously, this type of paneling was seen on a home’s exterior. Later, it became available in individual pieces or in sheets. Additionally, the individual boards are more expensive and labor intensive to install.
Wooden Plank Wall
To make a plank wall, you cans use new or old wood. Also, the boards can be the same size or different sizes. The boards can be installed vertically, horizontally, diagonally, or in a pattern. Reclaimed wood (old barn wood or upcycled pallets) provide a rustic look. On the other hand, new boards can be installed as is or distressed to resemble reclaimed wood.
Wainscoting
Wainscoting are decorative wooden panels designed to make a room more visually appealing. Typically covering the bottom third of the wall, it is topped off with chair rail. Also, it can be applied to the entire wall.
If you are interested in replacing or adding decorative paneling to your home, contact us for a free estimate.