How to install shiplap? It is a frequently discussed topic among people who want to add texture or character to make their modern, farmhouse or coastal-style interiors appear aesthetic.
Its clean horizontal lines and small gaps between the boards help in giving a designed feature to the home.
Shiplap is easy to do by yourself in comparison to other wall treatments, which makes it more appealing.
No big contractors, just the right tools and a bit of patience to cover a single shiplap wall, an entire room or even the ceiling. Hence, installing shiplap is a great choice for someone who wants to transform their room without a full renovation.
In this blog, we will go through everything that you need to know. This includes the tools required to prepare your wall, what to avoid while installing shiplap and how much it can cost.
By the end of this blog you will have a clear idea of how to install shiplap with proper detailing and steps that need to be followed.
So let’s begin!
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What Is Shiplap And Why Is It So Popular?
Shiplaps are made up of wooden boards that fit together when edges overlap a bit and make a groove between each other.
It was originally used on the exterior of buildings to keep moisture out. Today, shiplap is used inside homes as it helps add texture and makes them look more interesting, unlike plain or flat walls.
Traditional Purpose of A Shiplap Wall
Shiplap originated as a building material used on the exterior of barns and farmhouses to keep rain out.
Its overlapping boards let water run off instead of collecting in the cracks.
Shiplap was also used on roofs and floors for its strength and low cost. It kept things dry, warm and buildings protected from the weather.
Modern Application of Shiplap
Today, shiplap is used more for decoration purposes than for what it is supposed to be used for.
They are used in living rooms, bedrooms, hallways and even bathrooms. People also use shiplap at fireplace surroundings, kitchen islands and even for outside cladding and siding.
Some homeowners even research how to install shiplap trim for a finished edge along doors and windows.
However, shiplap today is used more in the inside of homes for renovating and transforming the look. It is a versatile wood treatment which is also easy to do.
Interior Design Trends for Shiplap
Shiplap was popularised in home design through farmhouse-style aesthetics and renovation shows on television in the 2010s influenced their prominence largely.
Since then, it has grown beyond the farmhouse category to coastal, Scandinavian, industrial and transitional homes making rooms feel warmer and more interesting.
White, natural wood or dark colours are widely preferred by people in choosing shiplap.
Hence, this still continues to remain a popular and trending choice among people.
Shiplap Accent Wall
Shiplap has become very popular for walls since it looks great, requires less effort and costs less.
Shiplap on one wall of your living room, bedroom or dining room draws attention. It adds a lot of depth and dimension than paint alone.
Shiplap also makes rooms feel bigger and taller. It can be added easily to any space without thinking about the colour matching. It does not require changes in any other aspect of the space.
Shiplap Ceiling Installations
Learning how to install shiplap on ceiling surfaces is a simple way to make a room look more appealing without doing much and still make people look up. They try to understand how it’s different from a regular smooth ceiling.
Installation of white shiplap on ceilings is done to make the room feel bright and open. Also, the natural wood tones make the room feel warm.
Shiplap is used to add some character and make the room look interesting without taking much space.
How To Install Shiplap in Different Spaces of Your Home
Installation of shiplap varies depending on the space it is getting installed on. For example, shiplap installation on a wall is different from the way it is done for a ceiling or over drywall.
The surface decides which steps are involved in the installation. In this section, we will go through how to install shiplap according to different surfaces, indoors and outdoors as siding since every installation needs different techniques.
On Walls
How to install shiplap on walls starts with locating the studs and then drawing a line at the bottom, followed by attaching the first row of shiplap.
Once one row is installed, the rows go up one by one, ensuring spacers to maintain gaps between the boards for a clear shadow line.
Nailing directly into the studs and checking level after every few hours is important for a secure hold and to prevent drift.
This is one of the easiest and simplest ways of installing a shiplap for beginners.
On a Ceiling
Installing shiplap on a ceiling is different from installing it on walls since ceilings work against gravity and need to be fastened well. Many people ask how to install shiplap with liquid nails for extra hold.
Using adhesive along with nails to attach boards on the ceiling joists gives a stronger bond before you start nailing.
A ladder or scaffolding is needed to reach the ceiling and place the boards correctly since seams are easily visible from the floor.
If you want to know how to install shiplap on ceiling without nails showing, try blind nailing.
Ceiling shiplap installation puts a lot of pressure on your body, making it a longer process than wall shiplap installation.
Shiplap Paneling
Learning how to install shiplap paneling is popular among renters and beginners who want an easier and faster installation with good results.
Paneling comes pre-assembled and the boards are secured with construction adhesive and finish nails around the edges unlike individual boards that require a board-by-board installation.
Understanding how to install shiplap panels on wall surfaces starts with measuring your wall and ordering panels in matching sizes to reduce cutting. Then, just like with individual boards, locate and mark the studs to get the final look you want.
Shiplap over Drywall
Installing shiplap over a drywall is a lot easier and less messy in comparison to other types of shiplap installation.
How to install shiplap over drywall? Always attach the boards to the studs behind the drywall as the drywall is not strong enough to hold.
A stud finder helps locate the studs so you can mark the spots and place the boards correctly.
This method of installing shiplap doesn’t make the wall thicker which also saves time of trimming and outlet covers.
Shiplap Cladding
How to install Shiplap Cladding? Since it is mainly used for outside applications as it needs materials like cedar or treated pine or composite boards rather than MDF that can handle different weather conditions.
Start by installing a moisture barrier then attach the cladding to the wall studs using nails or screws that can resist corrosion.
In shiplap cladding, you should overlap the boards one below the other to seal it properly. Use exterior-rated paint or stain since cladding stays exposed to sun, rain and changing weather all year round.
Shiplap Paneling 4×8 Sheets
How to install shiplap paneling 4×8 sheets? These sheets are easier and faster to install as they are large and can cover a part of your wall in one go. To set up, you need to first measure the wall and plan where each 4×8 sheet will go so the seams stay hidden.
Mark the studs then use adhesive and finishing nails around the stud lines to keep them tight and conceal panel edges.
If you prefer visual guidance then searching how to install shiplap paneling 4×8 sheets youtube can help you see the process before you start.
This method is suitable for larger rooms or accent walls where speed and consistency matter more than the texture of individually fastened boards.
Tools That Make Shiplap Installation An Easy Task
Before you install shiplap in your house, it helps to understand the necessary tools and materials required so the project doesn’t stall halfway through.
Using the right tools and materials helps give a cleaner look for your living room or even the entire room. Here’s a proper guide of things you need before you start installing the shiplap.
Shiplap Boards
Picking the right shiplap boards for your project is very important. People often prefer using pine and cedar boards as they bring a natural look to the room.
Standard MDF shiplap also works well indoors since they are smooth, easy to cut and paint. Shiplap boards of four to six inches wide and eight feet long are a preferred size for interior walls.
Buying a little extra board can help later in case you make a mistake or need to fix something.
Special shiplap boards like composite or primed boards should be used for places that get humid easily like a bathroom or laundry room. These help to ensure it resists moisture.
Tape Measure and Stud Finder
A tape measure is one of the essential tools for measuring the square footage of your walls or for measuring boards while cutting them.
A 25-foot tape measure is good for most home projects. Using it correctly helps you cut and place the boards perfectly to avoid any gaps in between boards and give them a clean look.
A stud finder is another essential tool which holds and attaches boards to the studs and not the drywall since they are not strong enough.
Some people search how to install shiplap without studs but skipping this step risks loose boards over time. Using a stud finder helps you find all the studs in the wall which you can mark with a pencil for accuracy.
Level and Nail Gun
The four-foot level is essential for keeping every row straight across the wall as floors and ceilings are not always as level as they seem.
Getting the first row right matters most since every other row follows that same line.
A nail gun makes placing the shiplap easier than hammer and nails as it can split the wood or drive nails in at the wrong angle. It leaves small holes that are easy to fill before you start painting.
A sixteen-gauge nail works well for standard wood shiplap, while an eighteen-gauge nail suits thinner boards.
DIY Shiplap
Installing a shiplap by yourself is no rocket science. You just need to have some experience and some basic tools and a bit of time.
While doing DIY you should focus on measuring and leveling the first row right as mistakes at this stage are tough to correct later.
Starting off with a small wall or areas which are less visible to people can be used for practice before moving to a major living space or bedroom.
A clear layout plan, stud placement and board alignment all help give a cohesive, DIY-finished look to the room.
Things to Avoid While Installing Shiplap
Installation of shiplap cannot be saved even if the best materials and tools are used. Most mistakes with shiplap happen when people rush or skip steps to finish it faster.
This later turns into more time-consuming work, wasting both material and time. But the best part of it is that these mistakes can be avoided if you know what to do and how to do it.
Whether you are a first-time DIYer or a professional, this section will help you understand the mistakes better.
Uneven Spacing
This is one of the most common mistakes made by people while installing shiplap that is not keeping spaces between the boards.
This looks uneven once the wall is painted. To fix this, you can use a tool to keep even spaces and ensure the width of the space is what you want and then use it for every row.
This makes the wall look clean, planned and adds character to the space.
Don’t leave nails visible
People often wonder how to install shiplap without nails showing. The answer is, nailing of shiplap can only be done correctly when the boards are attached to the studs properly.
One of the popular ways to do this is using blind nailing technique. In this technique, place finish nails or staples at a 45-degree angle through the tongue of each board.
This will eventually slide the next plank over it through the groove to conceal the fasteners.
Misaligned First Board
Placing the first board correctly on the wall is very important as it decides how every other row will look.
Do not assume that the floor is level since most floors have small dips and rises rather than being perfectly straight.
So, using a level to draw a straight line can help in ensuring the board’s alignment from the very first row.
Poor Measurements
Measuring boards correctly is really important to avoid major problems later in the project. Trimming a board short looks very bad near the corner and too long makes the wall curve and seams uneven.
To avoid this, measure each board twice before cutting to ensure proper board placement on the wall.
Conclusion
In this guide, we have discussed how to install shiplap across different surfaces along with the materials and tools required.
Preparing the wall surface and leveling the first row matter most. And maintaining above rows can give you a clear and cohesive look while avoiding visible problems later.
Proper measurement, secure fastening into the studs and using good-quality materials are essential for durability and give your shiplap wall a polished and finished look.
Starting slowly through each of these steps can help in avoiding uneven seams or loose boards.
Following all the above-given steps and guidelines on how to install shiplap will help you give a cohesive look on your wall, ceiling or accent wall.
It adds real character to your space. So all that is left to do is pick your boards and get started.
FAQs on How to Install Shiplap
According to professionals, starting off from bottom to top is the best way as the weight of the boards helps to keep them in place. This also makes it easier to hide any pieces of wood that you were supposed to cut at the top. It also prevents water from collecting in the seams.
Today, people are moving away from the rustic look of horizontal shiplap toward sleeker and more polished finishes. Fluted wood panes, reeded wood panels, mineral plasters or classic grid style trim like board and batten are becoming popular alternatives.
Start with removing the existing trim and mark the wall studs with chalk lines followed by securing the first board correctly. Then level it using a brad nailer and adhesive. At last use nickels as spacers between the boards to get an even gap.
Start with removing the existing baseboards and marking studs. Then cut boards according to the length and apply liquid nails to the back followed by using a brad nailer to secure them. At last use a laser level to keep the vertical planks correctly by using nickels as spacers between the boards.
