Most people with wood paneling in their homes look for makeover ideas to make their space more desirable. However, when they begin to think about all the renovation work they will need to do, they often change their minds.
The truth is that there is an easy way to change your wood paneling. You just need the correct information, including some tips on quick fixes that won’t require you to use a special screwdriver or expensive building tools you have never heard of.
Upgrading Your Wood Paneling Walls
When making plans for your remodeling project, you can either replace your wooden panels entirely and start over with something new, or replace the paneling you have with something that will give you the look and feel you want.
The first step is purchasing the right wood paneling. Once you’ve figured out what you want, take your time and find a merchant that not only carries your desired panels but also has the knowledge to help you make decisions about the paneling and how to install it.
Most homeowners who have been through this before will also tell you that swapping your outdated wood paneling for today’s modern versions can transform any space into something beautiful, contemporary, or classic, depending on your specific tastes. However, you will also need to consider wood paneling weight limits.
Others will tell you there are several ways to renovate a space covered with wood paneling, and that one of the best options is painting over old pieces. However, if you have enough money, changing your wood paneling with more modern options like medium-density fiberboard (MDF) wood can give you stunning and affordable results.
Doing Renovations Yourself
If you are the sort of person who doesn’t mind do-it-yourself projects and has no intentions of hiring a contractor to change out your current wood paneling, then you must understand what needs to be done before starting.
First, you need to carefully remove the paneling so that you don’t hurt yourself or anyone who may be around you. Attaching wood paneling to walls can be done in several ways so work cautiously until you find out how your wood paneling has been installed.
For instance, you can opt for a crowbar to pull out any wood paneling from the wall. In case the contractors used glue, this may be difficult. In such a situation, a heat gun to soften the glue works best, but it can also damage the drywall or plaster underneath if you don’t know what you are doing.
Most contractors in the past preferred to nail paneling directly to bare wall studs. Once you remove your wood paneling, the bare studs will need to be covered with drywall before you can apply any new wall treatment such as modern paneling or wall paint. In this scenario, you will also have an opportunity to add insulation inside the walls before installing drywall.
Now, it’s time to decide on the new kind of paneling you’d like to add to your walls!
In the past, most people viewed wood paneling as a form of decoration, insulation, or a way to protect walls from damage. Even though paneling still offers some of these benefits, it evolved into more of a decorative element used to lift the appearance and feel of different spaces in a home.
Modern paneling also comes in a wide range of groove shapes, compositions, widths, and lengths. It is now made using new materials like MDF wood, which many homeowners have come to appreciate–so, you’ll rarely go wrong if you decide to change out the wood paneling on your walls with a modern version.
