How to Install Wall Paneling (Wainscoting)

Installing wall paneling transforms a room by giving it warmth and character in just a few days. This guide is aimed at intermediate-level DIYers who want to renovate a wall without heavy masonry. You will learn how to choose the paneling, install the framework and fix the boards cleanly.

Choosing the paneling and preparing the wall

Solid pine paneling offers an authentic look, while PVC suits damp rooms better. Standard boards measure 240 cm long, 10 cm wide and 10 mm thick. The wall must be dry, flat and sound, free of saltpetre stains and damp.

1. Measure the surface to be covered and add 10 % for offcuts
2. Choose pine or PVC according to the room and its humidity
3. Check the flatness of the wall with a 2 m straightedge
4. Treat the wall against damp if necessary
5. Let the boards acclimatise for 48 h in the room

Installing the batten framework

Fix 25 x 40 mm battens horizontally every 60 cm over the whole wall surface. Start at the top and bottom, then space out the intermediate battens. Anchor each batten with 6 mm expansion wall plugs suited to the brick, and check the level with wedges.

Fixing the boards and finishing

Install the first board in a corner checking the vertical level, then nail through the tongue on each batten. The boards then slot together easily with a mallet and a wedge. Finish with miter-cut skirting boards at 45° on the protruding corners.

Precautions and mistakes to avoid

• Installing on a damp wall, which causes swelling and mould
• Forgetting the 10 mm expansion gap at the top and bottom of the boards
• Sloting the boards together without tapping them fully home into the groove
• Cutting all the boards in advance without allowing for the irregularities of the wall

Your wall is now covered with elegant, durable paneling, with neat finishes at the corners and skirting boards. The room has gained comfort and style at a controlled cost. You can paint or varnish it later to vary the decor.