Wall paneling is a great way to cover your walls in an attractive and stylish manner, while also adding some extra heat insulation. It’s a great idea for any room in the house, and fairly easy to do if you follow these seven steps. It’s simple enough that even the most inexperienced DIY can try it out in their home. New wooden wall panels projects are being introduced all the time with new designs, so there is plenty of opportunity to add some personalized flair to your home.
Planning:
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The first thing you will need is the right materials. Most wall paneling is available in large rolls or panels, but some special customized projects may require other methods. There are many types of wall panels that you can choose from like textured wall panels. Start by deciding exactly what design and style of paneling you want to use. You can get panels in different colors and textures as well as designs based on brickwork, stone or even wood-grain patterns.
Measure your wall:
Next you will need to measure the wall where you have decided to create your paneling. You will need to measure both the height and length of your wall, and then make a template or drawing of the space. Try to keep it in view of your eye as you are drawing it, so that you can check for any measurement errors as soon as possible.
Cut the panels:
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Once you have the measurements, you need to take the roll of paneling and find where the inner ends of the strips are, then simply cut these off with a pair of scissors. It’s important to do this step separately from any other cutting you may be doing to your wallpaper or wall covering. This will ensure that you don’t damage any other parts of the sheet, and that your paneling is not too tight on any edges.
Sand and smooth your walls:
You will now have to manually begin working all the edges of the wall panel, using a fine grit sandpaper. This is a time-consuming process and it can be frustrating, especially when you don’t know how much it is going to cost. But by taking your time and sanding the edges carefully, you can get a very smooth surface that you should be able to see on your finished paneling.
Apply the panels to your wall:
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Now comes the most important part of the process. You need to begin applying your sheet to your surface. It’s best to start with a piece at a time, then work on the remainder of your wall panel over time as you can see what is happening to it. Make sure you apply it correctly, and don’t just rush through this part without any planning. Start at the edges and work towards the middle section of your wall paneling so that you can get an even finish all over.
Allow it to dry:
After you have finished your wall paneling, you need to let it dry for a few days or even a week or so before applying any other treatments. This will ensure that the paneling has been treated properly and that each piece is not going to move or shift as soon as you apply something else over top of it. It’s best to allow it to dry naturally instead of attempting to speed up the process by using an air-drying unit.
Fill in any gaps:
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Once you have waited a few days, you will be able to begin applying your wall paneling to the surface that you want it on. You need to make sure that your wallpaper or wall covering is as “level” as possible. You can use a simple level and adjust accordingly, but some people like to use their nail gun or other means of making it level. If your paneling is not quite even, you may find that some parts appear higher than others, or have gaps in between them.
Paint your wall panel:
While you wait for the wall paneling to dry, you can begin painting your wall in whatever way you wish. If you have used a textured wall covering, such as brick or cork, then it may be best to leave these textures as they are. Apply paint to the areas that have been exposed where the paneling has not been applied yet, and then begin applying your paneling to those areas. You don’t need to paint this time around so just try and keep the finished look consistent.
Conclusion:
After a few days you should be able to begin applying your new paneling. This will make your wall look as good as new and it may even be ready for some other treatments such as wallpaper or decorative paint. You can use this particular method of wall paneling in or around the house, but it can also add a special look on the outside, especially if you have brickwork on your house. Start by creating a plan and then setting out your materials and then get to work on the process.
