How to install prefinished shiplap

Place a nail through the top and bottom of each shiplap board where it crosses a stud. Use adhesive to glue the board down first or ask a partner to help you hold it in place. Before you attach the next board, place a nickel every few feet between the bottom board and the board above it.

Going from the bottom up is the way to go! Whether you are using tongue and groove boards or true rabbit edge shiplap – the process is the same. Once the next level board is in place insert a few of the paint sticks for an even gap between the two boards.

Recommended Cutting: When cutting, the finish side should be face up. Slowly cut for a smooth finish. 5. Continue fastening the shiplap by leaving a 1/16” gap between all end to end butt joints for expansion and contraction.

Nail through the top flange (the top flange is the longer flange). A second nail should be placed through the bottom face of the board, approximately 1” from the bottom edge. When installing shiplap over plaster or drywall, the walls need to be in good condition.

The 15 to 18 gauge is the right nail size for shiplap with a recommended length of 1.25” or 1.75”. This is long enough to penetrate the shiplap and hold it to the wall, but short enough not to go too deep and hit conduits or electric lines in most homes.

Your faux shiplap should be installed before anything else in the room — meaning baseboard, crown, and trim. If you have trim, very carefully notch out your shiplap with a saw and use wood filler/caulk to fill in the remaining gaps.

If you‘re installing new shiplap, paint it prior to installation. It will be far easier to paint the edges before the shiplap is up on the wall. If the shiplap was already installed, paint it like wall (with a roller and cut in with a brush), taking extra time to paint the gaps and shiplap grooves with a small brush.

Shiplap Wainscoting

Joanna uses natural wood shiplap as wainscoting in this home’s living room.

MDF baseboard molding for shiplap walls

It’s more affordable than wood, but really perfect for this type of installation. There might be even cheaper options, but this is already cut, primed, takes paint easily, and you can choose the right width for your job.

Before plywood and drywall, builders would line rooms in shiplap to keep them warm and dry, then cover it with a layer of muslin or cheesecloth and wallpaper to hide the shiplap’s seams.

Shiplap boards have grooves cut into their edges for a tight, overlapping fit. Shiplap paneling can add instant character, texture, rusticity and a focal point to any room in your house. It’s affordable and easy to install with just a few basic tools — a saw, level, stud finder, hammer and nails.

It can go up considerably from there if the job goes beyond traditional straight wall and flat ceilings. Shiplap installs easily, on stud walls or over existing drywall.

You will need a vapor barrier as well as an expanding spray foam to seal any possible air and draft penetrations. I would use a 3/4″ T&G horizontally. That is what is shown in your photo. You will first need to either shim or shave your wall studs to make sure you Do not have any humps or dips in you walls.

Stagger the Planks.

For best appearance, stagger the end joints as you work your way up and down the wall, so that the end joints do not match up from row to row. TIP: To accomplish this look and minimize the waste of plank material, use your cut-off piece from one row to start the next row.

Shiplap Costs

Shiplap wood prices range between $2.50 and $7.00 per square foot for real boards. On average, shiplap interior installation costs $1,000, with most homeowners spending between $500 and $1,500 for one room. Installing exterior shiplap costs $4,000, with most homeowners spending between $2,800 and $7,500.

Beware of Home Improvement Centers Saws!

The cheapest way to get thin wood shiplap strips at an exact height is to cut them out of 1/4″ plywood or MDF sheets (I went with maple plywood sheets because they seemed to be the smoothest of the 1/4″ plywood options at Lowes).

Shiplap is cheaper than tongue and groove, but it requires a bit more work on the carpenter to get the rows to lay flat against the building in a waterproof fashion. Also, if not installed properly, shiplap is more likely to warp and leak than its counterpart.

So back to the long answer – yes, overall, shiplap will be done a lot less in 2021. It will continue to be used in coastal or period style homes when appropriate. Vertical shiplap is more unique and a little more of a modern vibe if you still love shiplap, but want to be different.

Farmhouse style isn’t going away in 2021, but it is getting a makeover. The country chic design integrates farmhouse décor and furniture with clean, fresh colors and finishes. Rather than the distressed look on wood pieces, you’ll find options in a colorful painted design or a simple smooth wood finish.

Barn Doors

Maybe in the right place in the right room, this type of door is still appropriate, but for most of the country, it’s out of place and too contrived. If you’re looking for a space-saving door, a pocket door that slides into the wall is more functional and takes up zero wall space.