Beadboard panels are great in any space where durability is more important than formality, and since they are manufactured in 4′ x 8′ sheets, they’re much easier to install than traditional tongue-and-groove panels.
Materials:
Beadboard paneling, Hammer, Finishing nails, Tape measure, Level, Circular saw, Primer, Acrylic paint, Paintbrushes, Cap molding, Shoe molding, Safety glasses, Miter saw, Nail set, Sandpaper
Before you start, acclimate the sheets to the environment where they will be installed for a minimum of 48 hours.
You should begin the installation in a corner. Loosely fit a panel against the edge of the adjacent wall and trim if necessary to make the sheet plumb.
Note: Apply a minimum 4 mil. vapor barrier under the beadboard paneling when installing on below-grade walls.
Leave an 1/8″ gap at the corners and around cutouts and door and window openings. Leave a 1/4″ gap at the top and the bottom of the wall for expansion.
Nail the panel into the wall studs, placing the nails 6″ apart and 3/8″ from the edge of the panel. Place nails 12″ apart at intermediate areas of the panel.
Note: When nailing the panel to the stud, use casing, finishing or paneling nails that allow a minimum of 1″ penetration into the wall stud. Use corrosion-resistant nails for protected outdoor applications.
Drive nails into the underlap of one panel and nail the overlap of the next panel separately. Continue the process until all the beadboard panels have been installed. And cover the corner and floor gaps with moldings .
Tip: Drive the nails flush with the underlap or use a nail set. For interior applications allow 1/32″ between panel edges for expansion. For exterior applications allow 1/8″.
Note: If cutting the panels with a circular saw or saber saw, cut the wood face down and sand or rasp the rough edges.
Give the beadboard a more finished look with a cap and shoe molding and apply primer to all surfaces.
Tip: Use a miter saw to cut the cap molding in the corners.
Lastly, apply two coats of acrylic paint and you’ll have attractive new walls that will last for years to come.
