
What is wood wall paneling?
Wood wall paneling brings style to the interior space of any home, whether it’s a modern or traditional property. If you’re considering installing wall panels or choose some wall texturing to customize your home, you should first get to know some useful facts about wood wall paneling, its pros and cons, and 9 types to choose from.
What is paneling and how does it work?
Paneling adds dimension to your space. Wall paneling is an architectural element often installed in residential or commercial buildings. Decorative wall paneling is installed over walls to add aesthetic appeal, while other types of paneling may be added for their functional or structural characteristics.
When did wood paneling become popular for walls?
You can see this type of wood paneling in rustic homes and barn structures, so it’s not surprising to see why this traditional-looking wall paneling has become popular since the 13th century. In fact, many old churches and factories still feature old wood wall paneling with real nail holes, saw marks, and knots.
What are the different types of paneling systems?
There are commonly two paneling systems. One is the basic flat paneling that can be screwed on the wall and applicable for straight surfaces. The other is more widely used and has a frame grid-like raised panels. – Elegant and stylish look: wood panels are often associated with rustic, Colonial style houses.

What is paneling in a building?
Paneling adds dimension to your space. Wall paneling is an architectural element often installed in residential or commercial buildings. Decorative wall paneling is installed over walls to add aesthetic appeal, while other types of paneling may be added for their functional or structural characteristics. Many paneling varieties are available ...
What is decorative wall panel?
Decorative Wall Panels. Decorative wall panels are available in many different materials. They are often used to change the look of the wall, but may also be installed to help protect the wall from damage. Wainscoting is one of the most commonly used wall panels. It is made from wood or synthetic materials patterned with carvings and designs.
What is structural wall paneling?
Structural Wall Panels. While most types of wall paneling are installed on the interior, others are used to create exterior walls. These panels are frequently made from precast concrete and allow for quick and easy framing of homes and businesses. Some structural panels may be used to replace both interior and exterior walls.
How do acoustic panels work?
The panels help absorb sound and are commonly used n schools, auditoriums and hotels. These panels are available in a wide variety of colors and textures to match the room's decor. Acoustical panels can be installed temporarily using clips or magnets, or with nails or adhesive for more permanent applications.
What is structural insulation?
Structural insulated panels (SIPs) take the place of wall framing, interior drywall and exterior sheathing or siding. They are made from sheets of rigid foam insulation sandwiched between layers of wood fiber board. Advertisement.
What is tile board made of?
Tileboard panels are made from melamine or resin and are used to mimic the look of ceramic tile. They are textured and colored to look like tile, and are attached to a moisture-resistant backerboard. These panels are an affordable alternative to ceramic and are much easier to install.
What is utility paneling?
Utility Paneling. Utility paneling, often called pegboard, is made from perforated hardboard and is used for its function and appearance. These panels contain rows of small holes that can be used to hang objects from nails or pegs. They are frequently used in kitchens or garages, as well as in commercial applications.
The Different Types of Wood Wall Paneling
There are many types of wood wall paneling that will add a charming accent to your wall (s). Below are the most common types of wood wall paneling.
Things to Consider When Choosing Wood Wall Paneling
When choosing the right type of wood wall paneling for your house, there are a few factors you need to consider.
Frequently Asked Questions
MDF is commonly used when installing wood wall paneling and can sometimes be more durable. However, some people would prefer to have natural wood wall paneling. Either works great as long as it is properly installed.
So, What Are the Types of Wood Wall Paneling?
There are multiple types of wood wall paneling that suit just about every person’s unique needs and tastes. For a regal look, you may like raised paneling.
What is raised paneling?
Made popular by royal families several centuries ago, raised panels have remained a popular style over the years. Like board and batten, this look consists of 3-dimensional pieces: beveled wood panels that are elevated over their adjoining vertical and horizontal rails. The six components that make up this type of wood paneling includes the top rail, bottom rail, cap molding, stile, cove molding, and raised panel.
How wide is a panel?
The width between grooves, or the flat portion of the panel, is typically 1.5 inches or 3 inches. Though, you can have panels made with any custom width you desire.
What is board and batten made of?
The cost of board and batten wood paneling depends on the type of material that is used. It is typically made from either wood or vinyl, with vinyl being the more affordable option of the two. Fortunately, you can even find some vinyl board and batten paneling that looks almost exactly like the real thing.
How much does board and batten wood cost?
Depending on the material that you choose, the cost of board and batten wood paneling ranges from $0.75 to $9 per square foot.
What is batten wood paneling?
The word “batten” describes the thin piece of molding that is installed over the joints between boards.
Is wood paneling good for insulation?
Wood paneling is an excellent way to improve the aesthetics of your living spaces, while also providing some much-needed insulation. The wood serves as a natural insulator and offers a timeless, warm, welcoming look that stands out. There are many different types of wood paneling, including board and batten, shiplap, plank wall, reclaimed wood, raised panels, tongue and groove, beadboard, and flat panels.
Is wall paneling outdated?
Wall paneling used to be considered incredibly outdated but, like many things, it has seen a resurgence in recent years. The dark, dull, laminate-covered plywood sheets have been replaced by a more modern approach. When implemented well, modern wood paneling can make a unique decorative statement in your home.
What is wood paneling used for?
Before drywalls and their alternatives gained popularity, wood paneling was used to decorate the walls and protect them from damage. Wood wall paneling brings style to the interior space of any home, whether it’s a modern or traditional property.
What is the best material for wall panels?
Today, there are various different materials aside from pine and oak that you can choose for your wall panels. MDF is the most popular and cost-effective option for a home interior.
What is the most cost effective paneling system?
MDF is the most popular and cost-effective option for a home interior. There are commonly two paneling systems. One is the basic flat paneling that can be screwed on the wall and applicable for straight surfaces. The other is more widely used and has a frame grid-like raised panels.
How long do wood paneling panels last?
With proper maintenance and routine cleaning, interior wooden panels can last for many decades in both contemporary and traditional homes.
What is tongue and groove paneling?
Tongue and groove generally applies to any interlocking wood that has a groove-like cut into the sideboard. The other side of the board that’s left sticking out is referred to as the tongue. When the two boards are installed side by side, they create an invisible seam. This type of wood panel is very similar to shiplap and offers the same elegant look. The only distinctive difference between the two is in the way the boards connect. Shiplap panels are joined using a rabbet at the bottom and top of the board, whereas the tongue and groove paneling consists of one board fitting into the other as I explained earlier. In this way, there is no overlapping as the boards just fit one on top of another. This type of wood wall paneling is more expensive than shiplap, and when used indoors, it remains better protected from the elements.
What were the primary partitions used in the early colonial period?
In the early Colonial period, shingles and boards were used to cover the interior walls. These planks were the primary partition walls, which often featured decorative detailing along their edges.
Why do we use wood panels?
Wood wall panels were originally developed for practical reasons: to provide insulation and cover the wall’s blemishes. But it wasn’t long until they were recognized as decorative detailing to bring warmth to a living space.
What is raised panel wainscoting?
Raised panel wainscoting, popularized in 17th-century Colonial and Queen Anne-style homes, features beveled wooden panels elevated above their surrounding vertical stiles and horizontal rails. This dimensional quality creates the illusion of a narrow shelf protruding from the base of the wall. Installation involves wall-mounting alternating beveled wood or MDF panels and vertical stiles between an upper and lower rail of molding of the same material. The effect is tasteful and traditional, suited for wainscoting that occupies the lower third of the wall in formal dining rooms or living rooms where a buttoned-up look is desired.
What is plush felt wall paneling?
Plush felt wall paneling comes in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, colors, and effects from the traditional aesthetic of stone to modern fractal patterns. They can be wall-mounted temporarily with metal offset clips such as Z-Clips, or with a manufacturer-approved adhesive for a semi-permanent option. The material brings a sense of quietude—indeed, felt can sound-proof a space —and softness, like a blanket that spans the full width and height of walls, which makes it well-suited to a family room or game room. For a fun, unique look, mix-and-match panels of different hues.
What is shiplap paneling?
For interior décor, such notched panels with deep seams became known as “ shiplap ” by the early 20th century, and today, shiplap paneling is installed by wall-mounting wood or MDF shiplap planks, either vertically side-by-side or horizontally stacked one on top of the another.
What is beadboard paneling made of?
Artisans of old mounted the stiles one by one between horizontal rails, but you can now buy pre-painted beadboard paneling made of wood, MDF, or vinyl and stick it to the wall using construction adhesive or nails. Traditional and timeless, beadboard mounted on the lower one-third of a wall adds romance to spaces meant for “me time,” like bathrooms and bedrooms.
How to make a cutout of wallpaper?
Add a focal point with an eye-catching patterned wallpaper cutout in an unexpected shape. Outline the shape you want with a pencil on a regular sheet of wallpaper and then cut it out with scissors. Apply wallpaper paste to the back of the cutout and adhere to the wall to frame the object in front of it —be it a feature fireplace, a favorite piece of furniture or, a pedestal sink with a mirror. Leave the rest of the wall simply painted to maximize the effect.
What is board and batten siding?
First used as siding for barns, board and batten is a type of wainscoting (paneling on the lower portion of a wall) featuring alternating wide wood or engineered wood (e.g., MDF) panels and narrow wooden stiles—strips called battens—between upper and lower horizontal rails of molding.
Can you use salvaged wood for wall paneling?
Salvaged, repurposed wood can be transformed into avant-garde wall paneling by a savvy DIYer, whether you source planks and beams from old buildings or deconstruct defunct furniture. Drawer fronts from cabinets and bureaus can be sanded and painted, the drawer pulls left intact or replaced, and then wall-mounted with construction adhesive or nails to evoke a powerfully eccentric puzzle that energizes a play room, study, or other interior designed for creativity.
