Paneling is surprisingly easy and quick. With a little preparation, even a home carpenter can do it. Grab our tips below for paneling, and a stunning result is guaranteed!
Paneling easily brings character, warmth, and naturalness to your interior, and improves the room's acoustics. Wood paneling has also been scientifically shown to have numerous health benefits both on a physiological and psychological level, e.g., by lowering our body's stress levels and balancing indoor air humidity on flat surfaces.
How should paneling be done? We have compiled the most important paneling instructions step by step below and share our best tips for achieving successful paneling.
1. PANEL SELECTION AND TREATMENT
Panels are now available in many varieties, with different profiles, materials, and various treatments. When choosing a panel, keep in mind that not all panels are suitable for all spaces. Especially in saunas and other wet areas, the material must be moisture-resistant and the product must withstand significant temperature fluctuations.
Wood-ready panels are suitable for almost anything, as long as they are treated properly. Treatment should be done before installation so that no unpainted gaps remain after the panel dries. Oils, waxes, paints, varnishes, and stains are suitable for treating wood panels. Choose the appropriate product based on the application and desired result. Ask for detailed treatment tips from your nearest hardware/wood store that sells paints. If you want an easy option, choose a pre-treated product. Pre-finished panels are suitable for use as is in dry spaces or on bathroom ceilings.
In addition to the profile and treatment, choose the installation direction. When paneling a wall, note that horizontal paneling widens the room, while vertical paneling makes the space feel taller. For some profiles, it is also important from which direction the paneling is started. This applies, for example, to the popular Dyyni panel. A good rule of thumb is to panel away from the viewing direction from which you most often look at the finished surface. This way, the panel joints blend better. When installing ceiling panels, consider the direction from which the light falls. Ceiling panels are usually installed perpendicular to the window wall.
2. HOW MANY PANELS ARE NEEDED?
After choosing the right profile, material (and treatment), it's time to calculate the required amount. Calculating the correct amount is easy with the consumption calculator, which you can find on each of our product pages. You need to know the surface area to be paneled, and the consumption calculator will calculate the required meterage for that specific panel. We recommend allowing about a 10 percent waste margin. You can also learn how to use the consumption calculator on our Instagram.
Especially when ordering wood paneling, it should be noted that wood is a natural material, so each panel is a unique piece. There may be differences in the shades and the number of knots in the panels. It is advisable to sort the panels before installation so that the different shades and patterns can be arranged evenly across the area to be installed. This way, you get a balanced and neat result.
Please also note that if there are defects in the panels that affect appearance or installation, the panels must be claimed before installation. Installed products can no longer be claimed. A slight chamfer on the back of the panel is allowed and does not affect attachment.
3. Preparations
Once you have received the panels at your doorstep, you might be eager to start installation right away, but hold on a moment! Take the panel packages to the installation site and make small cuts at the ends of the packages. Let the panels acclimate to the installation environment for about 5-6 days. The room temperature and humidity at the installation site should be normal: temperature about 20 °C and humidity below 50%. While the panels acclimate, it's a good time to do the groundwork!
The white lacquered Dyyni panel is a stunning solution for the backsplash.
4. Groundwork
Panels are installed on top of the battens, i.e., base battens. Thanks to the battens, the panel wall becomes straight and air can circulate behind the panel, which is especially important with wooden panels.
The thickness of the battens should be chosen according to the substrate. On a solid and even substrate 20 x 40 mm batten is suitable, whereas on a more uneven or flexible substrate, it is advisable to choose thicker timber.
The installation spacing is determined by, among other things, the panel thickness and the installation site. The most common batten spacing for wall panels is 600mm and for ceiling panels 400mm. The most important thing is that the panels are attached firmly and safely.
The installation direction of the battens is determined by the panel installation direction: for a vertically paneled wall, battens are installed horizontally, and for a horizontally paneled wall, battens are installed vertically.
A movement gap must be left between the batten and the opposite wall, as the panel is not installed flush against the side wall either. A good gap is about 10-15 mm.
The battens can be glued to a stone wall, or the panel can also be glued directly to the wall using strong mounting adhesive. However, the use of base battens is recommended to allow air circulation. Battens can also be installed using, for example, metal anchors.
The installation direction of the battens depends on the installation direction of the panels.
5. Installation
Once the groundwork is done, we get to the paneling itself. Are you ready? Now the finished surface starts to appear, and quickly!
The panels are attached to the battens with a finishing nailer. One or two nails are shot at each base batten. In damp areas, remember to use galvanized nails. If the female edge's lower lip of the panel is longer, the panel can be easily hidden-nailed. It is also possible to make a hidden attachment from the male side, but this requires a bit more precision.
Remember to leave a small movement gap of about 10-15 mm between the wall and the panel. The same applies between the ceiling/floor and the panel. If you install the panel vertically, you can use a molding between the floor and the panel as shown in the image below.
When installing vertical panels with a strong profile (Dyyni panel, finger joint panel), it is recommended to install a molding between the floor and the panel. This ensures a neat finish and makes cleaning easier!
Measure the first panel to the correct size and saw off the end groove if necessary. It is also advisable to cut the male groove of the starting panel smaller for a neat finish. Attach the first panel to the wall ensuring it is straight. Blind nail the panel if possible from the female groove's lower lip. The starting panel is also nailed on the other edge from the top of the panel.
Attach the remaining panels from the groove to the base battens. When installing the panel into the groove, do not tap the panel by hitting the side directly; instead, use a piece of panel or a pry bar in between.
The upper image shows blind nailing from the female groove's lower lip, and the lower image shows nailing of the Dyyni panel.
6. Time to admire the result!
Done! Finish the space with your desired moldings and admire the result. Share it on social media using hashtags #centfi and #centlistat, and tag us @centfi so we can see the result you achieved.
The Rimapaneeli and Dyyni-paneeli combination creates a calming atmosphere in the bedroom.
Paneling checklist:
- Not all panels may be suitable for all spaces, so choose the right panel specifically for the space.
- Treat wood-finished panels before installation.
- Consider the installation direction carefully in advance.
- Calculate the required amount carefully, use the consumption calculator to assist you.
- Allow the panels to acclimate to the installation environment for about 5-6 days before installation.
- Install large surfaces from the same production batch.
- Panels should be installed on top of battens.
- If the female groove's lower lip of the panel is longer, the panel can be blind-nailed.
- Finish with suitable floor, cover, or ceiling moldings.
- Do not attach lights or other heavy objects directly to the panel
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