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How to panel a wall: DIY wall panelling in 5 simple steps

Keen to learn how to panel a wall? Wall panelling has picked up momentum recently, with Instagram users sharing their wall panelling transformations across the home, especially in the hallway, bedroom, living room and bathroom.

DIY wall panelling has taken over both people's homes and social media feeds, as 'wall panelling DIY' saw a search increase of over 250 per cent, according to data from Google Trends.

Wall panelling can come in a few different forms, so it's really important to do your research and choose the style you think will best suit your home. For example, mouldings include grand period designs, tongue and groove, traditional shaker-style, Jacobean-style grid, or dado style.

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But don't be put off if you've never done it before: with a little know-how, you can make decorative wall panels easily and quickly, with great results.

How to panel a wall

'Panelling adds warmth, depth and character to any space no matter the size,' says Craig Phillips, celebrity builder and expert. 'It truly transforms a room and is completely different to a typical feature wall.'

Before you begin, the essentials you will need include:

pvc panelling      A spirit level      No Nails Glue (or a similar brand)

Decorators caulk      Saw or cutter      A notebook and pen to jot down sizes

Sandpaper or an electric sander      Hammer     Pin      Tape measure

A calculator (we recommend trying this calculator and online visualiser to get the measurements correct).

Step 1: Planning

Panelling a wall is an exciting DIY task, but before you begin it's important to plan and prepare your wall first.

'As with most DIY jobs, preparation is key to getting the look you want,' Chris O'Boyle, Trading Director for Everyday Repair and Maintenance (EDRM) for Homebase, tells House Beautiful UK. 'Start by having a clear idea of what your panel walls will look like by sketching it down in a notebook. That way, you'll stay on track and know how many panels you need to complete your project.'

HB's tip... Instagram is a great place to seek out inspiration if you're stuck for ideas. Use the hashtags #wallpanelling and #wallpanellingideas to see what other people have been up to. We recommend not to rush your panelling. If you can't decide what style to go for, push your project back until you can decide.

Step 2: Measure your wall

When panelling a wall, you need to measure how many pieces of PVC panels you need (home retailers such as Homebase, Wickes and , or your local timber merchants will stock various types of wood). Once you have worked out how much you need, it's time to measure your walls. This is one of the trickiest parts of panelling, so take your time until you've got it spot on.

• Use your tape measure to work out the full width and height of the wall you are deciding to panel.

• Decide how many panels you want. Some prefer panelling only half the wall, while others love the full panelled look.

• Remember to account for top and base panels (the frame) as well as vertical and horizontal panels.

'It may sound obvious, but make sure you measure your walls accurately. To ensure your panels are even and give you a neat finish, write down all your measurements clearly and carefully, down to the last millimetre,' says Chris.

And, always double check your measurements to ensure it'll fit like a glove. 'Measure your wall. And then measure it again, just to be sure,' advises Craig. 'It's crucial that your measurements are correct and that your panel sizes are even and fit the space perfectly. Work out the distance you would like to have between each panel – this will help determine how many panels you'll need.'

Step 3: Cut the panels

Now it's time to cut the panels, which is dependent on the size of your wall, or how much you want to panel. You can either cut the panels yourself or ask a professional ( will cut PVC panels for free, depending on how many you have).

'Using a saw and mitre box at a 90-degree angle, carefully cut the panels that will be horizontally placed according to the measurements,' explain the experts at Richard Burbridge. 'Repeat this process for all of the vertical panels, then lightly sand the ends until smooth.'

Step 4: Sand and smooth your walls

Next, it's time to sand and smooth down your walls. You can either use sandpaper or an electric sander if you have one to hand.

'Prepare your walls before attaching the panels by sanding and smoothing them down. This removes any lumps or bumps which may otherwise show through,' adds Chris.

Step 5: Apply the panels to your wall

Start by adding the frame. First with the base panels, followed by the top. Place your panel onto the marked wall and use a laser level to ensure the panel is straight. Apply strong adhesive to the back and apply to the wall – be sure to press down firmly and leave to dry.

Continue to add the vertical panels first, followed by the horizontal panels.

Craig recommends sticking the panels to the wall using No More Nails glue but for extra security and hold.

Tip: Use a pipe and cable detector before nailing or drilling into any walls. If you are unsure it is safe to nail into your wall, opt for a strong adhesive instead.

Cladding

Save money on professional Cladding. With a great selection of uPVC and Timber Cladding, Marlenecan supply quality cladding for DIY enthusiasts and tradesmen. Our versitile selection of cladding is suitable for a range of project from plastic bathroom panels to that suitable for exterior use.

CLADDING
Transform the look of your home and give both your interior and exterior surfaces a new lease of life with our easy to install cladding. Available in a choice of finishes, our timber, MDF and uPVC cladding is fitted as an outer layer that provides improved thermal insulation and weather resistance.

Freshen up tired ceilings and walls and create a chic countryside or nautical look in your home with our tongue and groove cladding in marble, polished and wood grain effects. Our interior PVCu cladding is durable, low-maintenance and easy to install, making it an ideal choice for kitchen and bathroom cladding.

For other rooms in your home, opt for our interior timber cladding in both ship lap and tongue and groove v-jointed profiles. Our selection offers you complete decorative flexibility with painted, primed, treated and planed finishes in a choice of lengths, widths and thicknesses.

When it comes to fixing your interior wood cladding together, our packs of cladding clips make installation incredibly simple and give you invisible joining for a truly seamless finish to your project.

If you’re looking to freshen the appearance of your home’s exterior, choose our range of exterior PVCu cladding, designed for enhanced durability and weather-resistance. With a professional and polished finish, you can choose from a number of pack sizes with lengths up to 4m long, which are a great choice for roofing projects.

Ideal for both your garage and shed, our precision engineered exterior timber cladding is available in both natural and white finishes. Giving you plenty of options when it comes to deciding on your preferred look, you can install our exterior cladding horizontally, vertically or even diagonally for a bold statement.

Welcome to our website to know more details. Thanks. www.marlenecn.com 

 


Post time: Nov-28-2022