Paneling has been used for years, and is a great way to cover stubborn areas of drywall, or create character in new builds. In the 1970s and 80s, it was in the form of wood paneling, and recently, there's been a resurge of a horizontal version called shiplap.
Materials can vary; dependent upon the condition of the space and the overall look and feel you're looking to achieve: mdf (smooth side, sanded), knotty pine, etc. Trimming a 1x2" furring strip to wall-height to either side of the wall and nail gunning it in place will give uneven surfaces a much more finished look.
The trick for installing shiplap is to nail straight through the bottom of the board, but not through the lower rabbet. Use nickels or quarters as spacers between the boards, otherwise the boards will rest flush together.
A wider gap allows more of a shadow in the paneling detail and will accentuate the wall when painted a darker color. Shiplap looks best with very clean trim (little to no detail), and, in my opinion, very light, and or muted colors.
At Reed & Caudle, there isn't a shiplap we haven't enjoyed installing. Contact us today, to transform your space.
At Reed & Caudle, there isn't a shiplap we haven't enjoyed installing. Contact us today, to transform your space.