But wood paneling is increasingly being used in contemporary homes to protect walls and to create visual interest.
Wood paneling is a soundproofing material.
Indining rooms, paneling protects the lower half of the walls against chair bumps.
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Natural wood paneling that is stained or clear-coated gives rooms a soothing feeling.
Wood paneling can be painted for a more formal look.
Wainscoting
Wainscoting: Panels on the lower section of a room.
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Wainscoting is commonly assembled from beadboard panels.
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Beadboard
Beadboard: Vertically grooved panels with a traditional style.
Beadboard paneling is characterized by long, continuous vertical grooves and raised beads spaced every inch or two.
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Alternatively, beadboard can be purchased in large panels as long as 8 feet which expedite the installation process.
The beads and grooves are molded into the board in the factory.
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Shiplap
Shiplap: Horizontal siding boards similar to house siding.
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Shiplap is a style of interior paneling whose inspiration comes from anexterior house sidingof the same name.
Shiplap panels are long, horizontal boards that overlap each other along the long edges.
The lip of the upper board overlaps a part of the lower board.
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In exterior applications, this creates a joint that is weather-proof, tight, and stable.
Interior shiplapis more about appearance than function.
Shiplap gives dining rooms, bedrooms, halls, or living areas a rustic, charming look.
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Shiplap can also be used on accent walls for afarmhouseortraditional look.
Tongue and groove attachment is used for paneling, exterior siding, ceilings, and flooring.
Board and Batten
Board and Batten: Wide vertical molding pieces installed on larger boards.
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Board and battenpaneling is noteworthy for its regular pattern of wide vertical molding boards called battens.
Board and batten panelingis a strong, severe look and was commonly used in early 20th-century homes.
The battens serve to cover up the joints between the boards.
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Additional battens are placed between the joints merely for aesthetics.
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Coffered Panels
Coffered Panels: Inset squares in a grid pattern.
The name’s origin is significant:cofrefrom French to mean chest orcophinusfrom Latin meaning coffin.
In other words, these squares are deeply sunk.
Coffers in wall paneling are different because there is less space behind the panels to sink the coffer.
So, with wall paneling, it’s more the suggestion of a coffer than its full execution.
This look is created by fixing vertical and horizontal boards to form the grid.
Sometimes, each square is routered or has trim added to it for even more embellishment.
Deep V-shaped bevels form raised wood panels, with horizontal rails at the top and the bottom.
Raised panel is a highly showy look; it’s often found in expensive older homes.
Due to the deep bevels, raised panels create deep shadows for a highly eye-catching look.
Raised panels are often incorporated into wainscoting.
They can be purchased pre-built and ready for installation.
MDF board or polystyrene panels can be molded into the raised panel style.
Alternatively, they can be built from scratch with thin pieces of molding attached to flat panels.
Flat Panels
Flat Panels: Smooth, unadorned panels that impart a modern look.
Flat paneling is completely smooth on the front and has no bevels, grooves, or beads.
The only visual interruption in a line of flat panels will be the seams between the boards.
The seams are sometimes left open; other times, they are covered with metal or wood strips.
Sleek and smooth, flat paneling is a hallmark of modern or contemporary design.
The featureless face of the paneling lets the rich wood grain of the panel take precedence.
Less focus is on the perimeter of the roomthe panelingwith the room and its elements taking a front seat.
