8 Types of Wood Wall Paneling (2024)

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8 Types of Wood Wall Paneling (1)

ByAlex Rennie

Updated: Jun. 17, 2024

    Wood paneling for walls adds an element of classic style to your home, and it's easier to install than you think.

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    Shiplap Wood Wall Paneling

    Shiplap wood wall paneling is composed of flat boards with overlapping rabbet joints — a flat groove cut into the edge — that create a snug fit. These rabbets also allow for a small gap, AKA a reveal, between each board, which adds rustic charm. Shiplap can be installed vertically or horizontally.

    Although it’s waning as an overall design trend, shiplap can still look appropriate in a modern home. This pre-primed Pine Shiplap Wood Wall Paneling Board includes detailed instructions for vertical, horizontal and diagonal installation. Check out our half-wall paneling ideas to enhance your home.

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    Tongue-and-Groove Wood Wall Paneling

    This wood wall paneling resembles shiplap, with one key difference: Instead of rabbets, tongue-and-groove joints interlock the boards. It creates a tight fit and a clean look, though installation can take much longer than for shiplap. Tongue-and-groove wood wall paneling is well-suited for ceilings. If your ceiling is hideous, check out these wood look plank ceiling ideas.

    This Lowe’s 12-ft. Tongue-and-Groove Unfinished Spruce is made of solid wood, and available at an impressively low price.

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    Beadboard Wood Wall Paneling

    Traditional beadboard features narrow strips of wood with a small ridge or “bead” between each board. Beadboard is typically only used on the lower three or four feet of wall, an application known as wainscoting. It’s a good choice for walls that already have a chair rail or another type of wainscoting border in place.

    Beadboard wood wall paneling can be installed as individual boards or large sheets with the beadboard pattern mounted to the front. This House of Fara Red Oak Beadboard wainscoting can be stained or painted. It includes the necessary chair rail and baseboard molding for a complete look.

    8 Types of Wood Wall Paneling (13)

    Family Handyman

    Board-and-Batten Wood Wall Paneling

    Board-and-batten wood wall paneling combines wide boards and thinner strips, AKA battens, to create a distinctive three-dimensional pattern. These battens also conveniently hide the seams of the larger boards for a clean look.

    With no standard sizing for board-and-batten layouts, there are numerous ways to achieve the look you want, including creating a grid pattern with horizontal boards. Because they’re not typically found in prefabricated boards or panels, you’ll have to build your board-and-batten wall yourself or hire a pro.

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    Raised Wood Panel Walls

    Raised wood wall panels are just that — an elevated, beveled panel framed by rails and molding. This intricate style has a classic, colonial look, perfect for formal areas like a dining room, office or library.

    Although the central panel is typically made of medium density fiberboard (MDF) and not natural wood, it doesn’t negatively affect the overall look. When painted, it’s indistinguishable from the surrounding wood elements.

    This New England Classic Raised Panel Wainscoting kit includes everything you need and can be customized to the precise measurements of your space.

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    Pallet Wood Paneling

    Also known as barn wood or reclaimed wood paneling, this option uses rough and/or unfinished wood planks to create a farmhouse-like motif, so blemishes, knots, and rough spots are welcomed. This paneling would work well in an informal room like an art studio or workshop, or separate pool house or bathroom, but would likely clash with formal elements found in the home.

    Due to the uneven widths of the individual boards, it’s best to paint the backing black so there won’t be light paint peeking through. Pallet wood paneling can be low cost or free if you know someone looking to get rid of their pallets. You can also transform regular pine boards into reclaimed wood paneling relatively easily with the tools in your garage. Elevate your space with these reclaimed wood wall ideas.

    These Weaber Weathered Hardwood Boards are made of real wood and stained to give them a reclaimed look. They’re even cut with small variances in their widths to give that uneven, natural appearance.

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    3D Wood Wall Panels

    Unlike panels with a uniform, orderly layout, 3D panels offer an irregular pattern, in the width of the boards as well as the thickness. This gives the entire wall an eye-catching style, a great choice for those seeking something different.

    We’ve personally found this type of paneling to be a challenge to keep clean, though, and the offset ledges will need to be dusted regularly. These pre-finished 3D Teak Wood Panels come in 12- x 24-inch panels for easy installation.

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    Vertical Wall Paneling

    If you like the retro aesthetic of 1970s-style paneling, today’s vertical wall panels can recreate that vibe in a contemporary home. They’re made of real wood and easier to install because they’re thinner than other paneling. These are pre-finished, but you can prime and paint them to match your décor.

    These Canyon Yew Wall Panels feature alternating groove widths to give them a modern look. The installation manual is incredibly comprehensive and helpful.

    Originally Published: April 26, 2022

    Author

    Alex Rennie

    Alex Rennie is a freelance writer who specializes in the home improvement, DIY, and appliance space. Having spent more than five years as a residential and commercial carpenter in NYC–specializing in custom furniture construction and installation–Alex uses his hands-on experience and expert insight to craft product reviews, buying guides, and h...

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    8 Types of Wood Wall Paneling (18)

    8 Types of Wood Wall Paneling (2024)

    FAQs

    What are the three common types of wood paneling? ›

    Wood paneling is also a relatively inexpensive way to update a space. Plus, it can be painted any color under the sun. There are several different types of wood paneling to consider, including shiplap, beadboard, and board and batten.

    What is 70s wood paneling called? ›

    Shiplap is the Classy Version of 1970s Wood Paneling.

    What are the wood panels on walls called? ›

    Wainscoting is a general term for wall paneling, while beadboard is a specific style that uses vertical panels.

    What is another name for shiplap? ›

    While shiplap is the catchiest design term you'll hear and see most often, there are actually several additional types of wood paneling, from beadboard to board and batten to wainscoting. However, the closest style to shiplap is tongue and groove.

    What is a widely used structural wood panel? ›

    Oriented Strand Board is a widely used, versatile structural wood panel. Manufactured from waterproof heat-cured adhesives and rectangularly shaped wood strands that are arranged in cross-oriented layers, OSB is an engineered wood panel that shares many of the strength and performance characteristics of plywood.

    Why did wood paneling go out of style? ›

    While traditionally crafted in natural wood, usually oak or pine, the 20th century saw the introduction of laminate and vinyl wood-look products that lowered the cost of the material significantly, making it widely accessible—and widely overused.

    Can you paint over 70s wood paneling? ›

    I think more wood paneling was installed in the '60s and '70s than any other time period. If retro isn't your decorating style, the good news is--you won't have to remove the paneling; it can be painted. So choose your paint color, then follow these tips and painting techniques for a brighter, more updated room.

    What are wood panels on outside of house called? ›

    Siding, also known as wood cladding, is a building material installed on the exterior facade to protect it from damage.

    What does judge paneling look like? ›

    These panels are usually rectangular shaped; this common style is a recurring pattern of rectangles and squares. While the rectangular designs in wainscoting typically appear horizontally, judges paneling utilizes vertical rectangles.

    What is the wood paneling on the bottom half of the wall? ›

    Half wall paneling is also known as wainscoting. It is any type of wood paneling that goes along the bottom half to third of a wall, usually all the way around the room. Wainscoting keeps the wall from getting damaged, especially in places where things are likely to hit it, like dining rooms or kids' rooms.

    Which is cheaper, shiplap or beadboard? ›

    Shiplap costs an average of $1,000 to install, or between $2.50 and $7 per square foot. Beadboard and similar wood paneling costs around $1,325 on average, or about $7 to $20 per square foot.

    How many types of panels are there? ›

    In this blog, we have explored the four types of electrical panels: automatic power factor control panels, motor control centre panels, automatic mains failure panels, and power control centre panels. Each type serves a specific purpose and caters to different electrical system requirements.

    What are the classification of wall panels? ›

    Classification of wall panels. According to the decoration design size of the wall panels, they can be roughly divided into three categories: full wall panels, wooden batten skirts and hollow wall panels.

    What is a didactic wall panel? ›

    A didactic panel is often used in a museum or gallery to display a wall of text. The text usually explains what the pieces are in that particular room and why they are important. Curators will often work with the education department to develop this text.

    What are the three main types of wood? ›

    These three types are: softwoods, hardwoods, and engineered wood. Each of these different wood types can be used in a number of different ways.

    Which wood is best for paneling? ›

    • Oak: Known for its warm tones and unique grain patterns, oak wood paneling exudes sophistication. ...
    • Walnut: Walnut paneling creates a deep, luxurious atmosphere with its rich brown tones and intricate grain patterns, adding opulence to any space.
    • Cedar: Offering a rustic ch.
    Mar 4, 2024

    What is the most common wood frame type? ›

    We're often asked, “What is the best wood for timber framing?” Although it's estimated that 60% of timber frames in North America are built from Douglas fir, there are other timber frame wood species that may work as well, or better, for your building project.

    What is the difference between beadboard and shiplap and tongue-and-groove? ›

    Shiplap features overlapping horizontal boards with a distinctive rabbet joint, creating a tight and flush look. Beadboard has narrow, vertical planks with a groove or "bead" running along one or both edges. V-groove paneling consists of tongue-and-groove boards with a V-shaped groove running along the joint.

    References

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