A rustic look can be given a room by the use of shiplap walls.Installation of your own shiplap wall doesn't require a lot of specialized carpentry knowledge as long as the wall is not in need of extensive work.It's a great project for people who want to improve their homes.You will need to cut boards the right width, but it is mostly a matter of filling in the wall with nailed down row after row of plank.You can add a coat of paint or stain.
Step 1: If necessary, build a wall.
It is possible to install shiplap on a completely new wall.You will need to hire a contractor or frame the new wall.You could just put the boards on top of the bare ones.This type of construction may or may not meet building codes in your area.It will be harder to insulate.If you want to do that, you can put plywood over the bare studs and then put shiplap boards on top of that.The plywood creates a better surface to nail the boards onto.
Step 2: The wall should be prepared.
To install your wall over, you want a clean surface.For instance, take down any wallpaper.If there are bulges in your wall, sand them down.If the current color will clash with the color you want the wall to be, paint the existing wall first.There will be small gaps between the boards.If your current wall is purple and you want the shiplap to be white, prime or paint the existing wall white first.It will prevent the tiny purple pieces from showing through on the wall.
Step 3: Measure your wall.
Run your tape measure along the bottom of the wall you want to cover, from one end to the other.The height from the floor to the ceiling can be measured using the tape measure.You can get the area of your wall by using these two numbers.
Step 4: Take your tools with you.
A saw and nail gun can be used to make a wall.The job will be easier with a few other tools.If you've been working on the wall, make sure you have the following items.
Step 5: Get the materials you need.
You can either buy plywood or cut your own plank from a home improvement store.You can use reclaimed wood flooring, barn wood, or pallet wood to create a wall.You will need a few other supplies to finish the project.The following items are available at a lumber supply store: Plywood 0.25 inches (0.64 cm), precut shiplap planks, reclaimed wood flooring, barn wood, or pallet wood.
Step 6: If it's necessary, cut the plywood into pieces.
If you purchased plywood instead of precut shiplap plank, you should cut the plywood into enough boards to cover the entire wall.The boards that make up the shiplap walls are between 15 and 20 cm wide.When you are done, sand the edges.You can use a table saw to cut the plywood.For free or a small cost, most lumber supply stores will cut it for you.
Step 7: You need to find the wall stud.
Use your electric stud finder to mark all the studs in your wall.These are 16 inches apart in many cases.Place a vertical pencil line from floor to ceiling in the center of each one.This will be a guide for where to put the nails.
Step 8: If the wall is level, you should check it.
There is a carpenter's level at the top of the wall.Place it at the bottom of the wall parallel with the floor.If your wall is majorly out of level, you can place the first plank at one end of the wall under the ceiling and angle it up or down until it is level.Once you nail in the boards on the first row, cover the gap between the plank and the edge of the ceiling with trim.You can fit the last plank at the bottom of the wall into place if you nail it down.To cover the gap between the plank and the floor, nail down the baseboards.Crown molding can be used to cover the planks that meet the ceiling.If the wall is not even, you may want to use crown molding.
Step 9: The first plank should be on the wall.
Just below the ceiling line, place the first plank along the top left of the wall.Use the marks you made as a guide to drive in 2 nails at each stud.Before and after the plank, double check the level.
Step 10: Measure the length of the plank.
Unless you have a very narrow wall, one plank won't be enough to stretch from one side to the other.Take the distance from the end of the first plank to the other side.Cut a plank and nail it in place.
Step 11: Work down the wall alternating between long and short planks.
Just under the first row, apply another plank with its end against the wall.Cut another plank to cover the left side of the second row, and then nail it in place.To give your wall a nice staggered pattern, keep alternating between long and short planks.Tiles, popsicle sticks, and nickels should be placed between the rows of planks.The boards will be able to expand and contract with the help of these.When you are done, remove the spacers.To make sure the rows are even, use a level now and then.If they are, angle the next row slightly to make it more parallel with the floor and ceiling.
Step 12: Obstacles in the wall should be dealt with.
Sometimes when you run into a window or door, you can't run long plank from one end of the wall to the other.You can shorten the boards to fit around the obstruction.Turn off the power to the electrical outlet if it's in the wall.Remove the outlet from the wall without connecting the wires.Carefully remove the outlet and install the shiplap.The outlet should be reinstalled using longer screws so it is flush with the wall.
Step 13: If you'd like, add a baseboard.
The boards can be run all the way down to the floor.You can nail a baseboard on the bottom of the wall if you prefer.Any standard baseboard is fine.
Step 14: The corners need to be installed with molded along the corners.
If you are shiplapping several walls, use quarter roundMold where one wall runs into the other.To cover the joints if the walls run around a corner, use L-shaped molding.Measure from floor to ceiling, cut the mold, and nail it in place.
Step 15: caulk can be used to fill in gaps.
A caulk pump gun can be used.There are cracks in the wood.You don't have to fill in the spaces between the planks.If there are gaps, you can caulk the edges.
Step 16: Paint or stain the wall.
If you want to paint the wall, you need to first apply a coat of primer and then at least one coat.If necessary, add another coat.If you want to stain the wall, cover it with a coat of stain.If you want, you can use an oil finish or another product to seal the wall.