Installing Bead Board

Essentially, beadboard (or wainscot) is interior wall paneling. Installing beadboard in any room can add to the room's character and give it a distinctive look, although it's especially attractive in the bathroom or the kitchen. Creating a wainscot wall or a visually appealing ceiling can be easily accomplished by installing beadboard.

Beadboard is milled with a tongue on one side and a groove on the other side so that the boards fit together flush. Beadboard can be as thin as three eights of an inch or as thick as three quarters of an inch and is available in various finishes. Here are some essential tips on installing beadboard:

1. Once you have purchased your beadboard wall paneling, allow it to cure in the room that it will be installed in for around two days. Any natural contraction or expansion will occur during this time that will make your installation go smoother.

2. If you plan to stain the beadboard wall paneling, do so before hanging it. You can finish your beadboard wall paneling with stain or polyurethane, or both. Allow the stain you choose to dry thoroughly before installing your beadboard paneling.

3. Use a level to draw a level line around the room that you will be installing beadboard paneling in. Your level line should be at the height of the top of the where the beadboard will hang. This is crucial to lining up your beadboard paneling.

4. You are now ready to cut your beadboard paneling to the desired height.

5. Begin in one corner of the room. Using a zigzag motion, apply the beadboard paneling adhesive to the back of the beadboard and put the board in place. Use your square to align the beadboard panel with the line that you previously drew. Hammer paneling nails into the studs in your wall to secure your beadboard. Use a stud finder if necessary.

6. Repeat the above step as you work from corner to corner around the room.

7. It may become necessary to use a narrower piece of beadboard paneling to finish your corners. This is best accomplished by using a table saw, but you can also use a circular saw to trim the beadboard in a face down position.

8. After installing beadboard, you can choose decorative molding trim to use around the top and attach baseboard to the bottom to give your room a finished look. Use paneling nails to secure molding, baseboards, and corner moldings