I like to live in neat, harmonious, and comfortable surroundings. I do most of my work from home, and I also like to entertain friends for drinks and dinner. Although I spend a great deal of time socializing in cafes and restaurants and traveling to other countries, I like the feeling of coming back to my house—to my refuge and castle.
Soon after I moved in, I was determined to make my surroundings as agreeable as possible. It wasn’t until I started furnishing the place that I realized the importance of the walls. The ones that came with the house would not do for the kind of furniture I intended to purchase. That is when I discovered the value of wood wall paneling.
I am a writer by profession, so whenever I take an interest in something I am inclined to learn everything about it. I have done the same with wood wall paneling. What follows is a summary of the nature, types, and history of wood wall paneling.
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What is Wood Paneling?
It is a category of material used to decorate walls. Panels can be made from real wood, wood-based materials like plywood, or less expensive types of wood. Most wood wall panels are designed to be placed over the wall to enhance its aesthetic appearance.
Wood panels can be painted or left bare. In most instances, if you spent good money to buy high-quality wood paneling, it is best to leave as it is.
Types of Wood Wall Paneling
A word of advice before we get into the thick of this topic. Most of the types of wood wall paneling presented below can be installed by non-professionals. This type of material has been designed to be put together and put up by homeowners.
However, if you are just no good at this sort of thing (and I am not), then you should hire a professional to do it for you. Otherwise, you can spend hours or even days in endless frustration. And in the end, you will probably not be happy with the job you have done.
Now, on to the main event. Here are some of the most popular types of wall paneling.
1. Shiplap Wood Wall Paneling
This paneling is composed of flat boards with overlapping rabbet joints that lead to a snug fit. This type of paneling is not as popular as it used to be. However, it can still enhance the look of a modern home.
2. Tongue-and-Groove Wood Wall Paneling
This paneling resembles shiplap paneling. The biggest difference is that instead of rabbets it contains joints that interlock the boards. This creates a tight fit and a clean look. The one downside of tongue-and-groove paneling is the amount of time it takes to put it together. If you have purchased this type of paneling, you will need to lay aside a day to put the boards together and install them on the wall.
3. Beadboard Wood Wall Paneling
This type of paneling is typically used only on the lower three or four feet of wall. This application is known as wainscoting. Beadboard wood wall paneling can be installed as individual boards or large sheets with the pattern mounted to the front.
4. Board-and-Batten Wood Wall Paneling
This type of paneling combines wide boards and thinner strips to create a three-dimensional pattern. These strips hide the seams of the boards, which gives the paneling a sleek and clean appearance.
There is no standard sizing for this type of paneling. This allows a great deal of flexibility in the creation of the grid pattern you want. Indeed, because there are no prefabricated boards or panels, you will have to build your board-and-batten wall panel yourself. Or, if you lack the skills, time, or confidence for such an undertaking, hire a professional to do it for you.
5. Raised Panels
These panels are elevated and beveled and framed by rails and molding. This will give your home a classic look, and it is perfect for areas like your dining room or home library. In these types of boards, the central panel is typically made of medium density fiberboard rather than natural wood. However, this does not affect the overall look. If you decide to paint the central panel, it will be indistinguishable from the surrounding wood elements.
6. Pallet Wood Paneling
This type of paneling uses rough or unfinished planks to give the appearance of a farmhouse. This is the kind of paneling that goes well in an art studio, workshop, or pool room. You may also consider putting it in a detached shed or living space.
The individual boards of pallet wood paneling have uneven widths. To prevent the light paint shining through, you should paint the backing black. This is one of the most cost-effective ways to transform the look of a space that is not in your home and not regularly visited by guests. It is a good way to spruce up a room that you want to keep informal and a bit roughish.
7. 3D Wood Wall Panels
These panels offer an irregular pattern in width and thickness. They will give your wall a distinct style. However, you should be warned that it is hard to keep these panels clean and presentable. You will need to dust the ledges regularly.
8. Vertical Wall Paneling
This paneling has a bit of a retro look (circa 1970). They are made of real wood and are easy to install because of their thinness. The panels are also pre-finished, which gives you the option of priming and painting them to match the rest of your home.
9. Knotty Pine Cabin Paneling
These panels have a great deal of texture and variety. They are meant to evoke the look and feel of being in a pine cabin near a lake or river. It is the kind of paneling that you may want to consider if you have a summer home or cottage.
10. Chevron-style Paneling
These are made of natural wood, and are arranged in a fetching chevron pattern. The different shades of grey in the panels enhance the atmosphere and feel of the room. The panels do not add much color. But if you are going for stylish and chic, then you can do no better.
11. Barn Wood Herringbone Paneling
This is made of reclaimed wood placed in a herringbone pattern. It can significantly, and somewhat dramatically, transform the look of your home. It is possible to lay this pattern yourself. If you can cut clean angles into the wood, then you can take on the paneling of your home as a DIY project.
12. Wood Slat Paneling
These are similar to a tongue-and-groove pattern, but the wood is raised rather than indented. Wood slat panels have a rugged and modern feel. They can give a room a great deal of character.
13. Plank Wall Paneling
This type of paneling uses natural colors. It can give a rustic look and feel to one of the smaller spaces in your home—your home office or library for example. These panels are simple, stylish, and warm. Though there is nothing too sophisticated here, it may still be better to have this type of paneling than a plain white surface.
14. Natural Wood Planks Paneling
To make this type of paneling work, you must first choose the kind of wood you want. When installing the paneling, you will need to use a levelling device to ensure that each board is smooth and even and fits together. The effect will be a wall that feels natural, unpolished, and earthy, which will create a cosy atmosphere.
15. Simple Diagonal Slat Paneling
The diagonal direction of this paneling appeals to many homeowners. You should use white paint to keep things simple and uncluttered. White paint is especially appropriate if you want to redo your home in a farmhouse style. The color will also make your home look bigger.
16. Rich Vertical Paneling
These panels have a deep brown color with a hint of red—similar to mahogany. This is the kind of paneling that goes well in a room in which you entertain guests. It has a rich, soothing, and sophisticated appearance.
A Brief History of Wood Wall Paneling
There is a history of wood wall paneling. It starts in the Tudor period. This is when interior decoration moved away from the styles and tastes of the Medieval era to more sophisticated structures and classically-inspired decorations. This was the 15th century. This was the time of the Renaissance, and the knowledge and fashion of oak paneling moved from Italy through Western Europe to the British Isles.
During the Tudor period the number of county estates and manor houses decorated with wood wall paneling increased significantly. The rebellions, violence, and wars of the Medieval period had ended. Peace reigned under the Tudor monarchs.
Landowners large and small and prosperous merchants prioritized comfort over fortification and relaxation over security. Paneling the walls of homes was part of the general effort to attain a vernacular style of house building and decoration.
The type of paneling in this period was made of thin boards let into grooves composed of solid timber uprights and cross members. Most such boards were made of oak. Carved decoration was popular, as was a linenfold pattern.
As the century progressed, the new nobility that had been raised up by Henry VIII became even wealthier after the dissolution of the monasteries. They sunk a great deal their newfound wealth into their homes. The oak paneling design patterns they used can be traced directly from Italy. Indeed, actual Italians were present at the court of Henry VIII to oversee directly the design and decoration of many noble homes.
This situation was short-lived. With the accession of Elizabeth I, the protestants were in power, which meant the Italians (all Catholic) had to go. Native talents took command. English-born designers such as John Thorpe, Robert Huntingdon Smithson, and Thomas Holt encouraged oak panel designs that were symmetrical, elevated, and had strong horizonal lines.
These new designs established their own standards of stateliness and dignity. They also increased levels of comfort in homes. The paneling of walls led to fireplaces, ceilings, and staircases to also be ornately treated. The oak and linenfold paneling gave way to plain paneling in a variety of rectangular shapes.
Carved pilasters and friezes were also introduced to give a richer effect. As time went on, even more intricate patterns filled the patterns and use was made of inlaid woods of different colors.
The 18th century saw the coming of a new paneling style: wainscot paneling. This got its start in Denmark. Danish wainscot oak paneling was characterized by covering only the lower section of a wall. Wainscot oak created large and knot-free boards that were attractive and easy to work with.
In time, these became more popular than oak paneling and began to crowd out the latter in both the European and British market.
Wainscoting is still popular today. It is used in many different types of wood. Such paneling can be made to suit both traditional and modern interior design and decoration. Wainscoting is especially well-suited to rooms that are smaller and darker.
These are spaces in which full walled paneling may be too heavy. Wainscoting gives you the option to leave the top section of a wall to be painted or papered. You can a dash of color alongside your wood paneling.
