How to Panel a Wall - Your Easy DIY Guide

This easy guide to understanding how to panel a wall in a few easy steps will make your next DIY project a whole lot easier. Keep reading and learn the tools you need, and the steps to getting the job done quickly -and neatly!

How to Panel a Wall: Tools and Equipment

Installing panelling calls for some tools and protective gear. Even though this is an easy job, you still need to make sure you have all you need before you get started.

Depending on your level of experience and DIY-prowess, you'll find yourself doing things slightly different, which is, of course, totally fine! In this guide, you'll learn specifically about how to panel a wall with wainscoting. Use this list below to gather your materials, and get ready to start.

White-primed MDF Wall Panelling Kit - including dado rails.
Jigsaw
Mitre saw
Nail gun
Stud finder
Hammer
Measuring tape
Pencil
Standard Level
Finishing nails
Construction adhesive
Sealant gun
Paintable caulk
Wood filler
Safety glasses
Gloves
Dust mask

Step 1 - Choosing the Height of Your Wainscoting Wall Panels

In general, it's recommended to have your new wainscoting wall panels cover 1/3 of the height of your wall. So for starters, get your measuring tape out, check how tall your walls are, and then divide this number by three.

Once you are clear on measures, mark with your pencil where your panels will end. Then, grab your level and draw a horizontal line across the length of your walls. For 100% certainty, measure again from the floor to the line once every 50 cm to 1 metre.

Bear in mind that as you'll crown your panels with a line of dado rail moulding, a tiny error in measures can stand out visually.

Top tip!

If you'll also remove your skirting boards, do so before getting to work on your wall panels.

Step 2 - Cutting and Mitring Your Wall Panels and Dado Rails

At the beginning of this DIY-guide on how to panel a wall, we included some power tools which you can use to cut your panels and mitre your dado rails.

If you prefer not to do this yourself, you can take your wall panelling kit to your closest hardware store and have them cut these for you. The Skirting Board Shop top guide to mitring skirting boards will set you off to a great start as you can apply its same principles to mitring all mouldings, including dado rails.

Top Tip!

It's quite common to be working on walls with electrical outlets, so you'll need to remove their coverings, measure the outlet size, and cut the section on your wall panels. This will guarantee everything will fit perfectly once you get to the installation.

Step 3 - Find and Mark the Location of Wall Studs

Before you get started, you must locate your wall studs. To do so, grab your stud finder, run it on your wall and mark the studs’ locations with your pencil.

Do so in a way where you can still see where the studs are once you put the panel on the wall.

Step 4 - Final Try Before Fixing

This step seems obvious, but it's just as important as learning how to install wall panels! Before you fix the panels, do a trial and place them on the wall -if possible have someone assist you on this.

Ensure the power outlets have been cut to measure. Also, check the panel sits evenly on your skirting boards and that its top is perfectly horizontal.

Once you are done with this, it's finally time to fix your brand new wall panels.

Step 5 - Adding Instant Grip Adhesive

Grab your sealant gun and instant nail adhesive. Now distribute the adhesive evenly from the top to the bottom of the rear of your wall panel. Ensure to follow the manufacturers instructions when applying the sealant.

Instant nails adhesives can actually replace nails. However, many DIY-ers double-down on fixing and end up pinning the panels to the walls as well.

Once ready, place your wall panels on the wall, and you'll be almost ready to call it a day!

Make sure corners are meeting neatly, and apply even pressure to fix the panels to the wall. You'll repeat the same steps for your dado rail.

Step 6 - Nailing Your Wall Panels

Now that you are almost done, it's time to put in finishing nails. Grab your nail gun and fix the nails to the wall where your marked studs are.

Do the same on your dado rail.

Step 7 - Finishing Touches

For finishing touches, put back your outlet covers, hide the nails with slight touches of wood filler, and caulk up all joints and seams.

Step 8 - Extra: Painting Your Wainscoting Wall Panelling

Painting your wall panelling is material for another guide. But, to give you a heads up, it's a very easy job. All that's required is a bit of dedication.

Make sure to choose a paint that's a good fit for MDF -like acrylic and latex. As The Skirting Board Shop Wall Panelling Kits are already white-primed, you can apply paint directly, without the need for any extra steps.

Once you are ready, simply apply the paint with a small to medium paint roller. Be careful not to apply too much, and cover a small section at the time.

Then grab a paintbrush and run it from top to bottom to smooth out the paint and finish distributing it evenly.

Final Thoughts on How to Panel a Wall

Did you notice it takes longer to prepare the panels than it does to install them?

As a final tip, if you'll be painting the room where you'll put up wainscoting, do so beforehand -the same goes for removing and installing skirting boards.

If you need help choosing your new wall panelling, call our team of experts on 0800 048 0786, and make the most of our award-winning customer service team. You can also request free samples to decide what will be best for your home. Happy reno!