You probably have seen wood planks on other houses’ walls, and you plan to redecorate yours soon. In case you’re wondering, the materials put up on those walls are wood flooring. It’s a perfect way to accentuate the natural vibe in your house.
If you’re eager to install these in your home, our woodworkers and contractors are here to elaborate on what you need to know!
Is it Possible to Install Wood Flooring on Walls?
Yes. As a matter of fact, it’s an ingenious idea to install wood flooring on walls. Wood is a great insulator. It can normalize room temperature against heat waves and direct sunlight. In addition, wood is durable, sustainable, dent-resistant, and long-lasting.
Installing wood flooring also gives you endless creative possibilities. It can be coated, polished, sealed, or painted with the colors and materials you prefer.
Also, there are many hardwoods and softwood species to choose from, all with unique characteristics. You can play with different patterns to fit your taste.
What Type of Flooring Can Be Used on Walls?
All types of flooring sold on the market can be used in other areas, including walls and ceilings, without defects.
What Do You Need to Consider Before Installing?
Walls are vertical. Unlike floors where you just lay the planks, its adhesion needs to be stronger the higher your wall gets. Therefore, it’s imperative that you have a plan on how you would structure the planks and consider what mounting type to use.
Height
Gravity plays a big part here. Plan how strong your adhesive should be after you know the height of your wall. Heavier hardwoods may require screws to adhere, and be mindful if you’re installing in a wall with a slope less than 90 degrees, especially on ceilings.
Structure
You can pile your planks horizontally, emulating bricks to create a compact wall. Another way is to have long vertical planks. Place your wooden planks in whatever you like. After all, the design matters most, and you can always find a way to make it sturdy.
Mounting
There are various ways you can mount. And some work better on certain structures, designs, and types of wood. Gluing planks directly to the wall is the most popular choice and works for all preferences.
We’ve seen people who lay it out on plywood first before attaching it to a wall as a whole. Thicker planks may need screws or nails to fully attach, and small structures like wall kitchen cabinets can be mounted by thin and light planks.
Avoid mounting it on top of wallpaper or near the sinks and other areas prone to water splashes. In most cases, wood may not work and will easily detach.
Some wood may not work on the outside as well. They’re most common in home interiors.
Planks or Tongue and Groove?
Tongue and groove, hence the name, is a wood flooring joined by tongues and grooves in holding boards together. Although it can be tight on floors, it requires thorough application on walls.
It takes time to assemble grooves together. Leave eighths of an inch on the gaps for sealers or screws. Grooves are thinner than the board and can break if you’re hasty. Tongue and groove are intact. It’s great against vibration, and you’ll have a hard time disassembling it.
Meanwhile, planks require nails/screws to keep the boards from sliding. It’s better because it’s far easier to install. If attached firmly, it’s just as sturdy and intact as tongue and groove.
How to Attach Wood Flooring on Walls: 4 Steps
Take a look at the steps below on how to attach wood flooring on walls.
What You Need
- Wood floors
- Circular saws
- Tapping block
- Caulking gun
- Pry bar
- Measuring tools
- Pencil/chalk
- Screw gun or nail gun
- Screws or nails
- Electric drill
- High-quality wood glue
- Clips
- Ladder
- Protective equipment
Step #1: Install the Boards on the Ceiling
Whenever you have a project, always start with the most difficult and least accessible part. Use a ladder when installing boards on the ceiling if needed. Working in the ceiling is labor-intensive, so wear helmet.
It doesn’t matter if you install boards parallel or perpendicular to the joists. The important thing is you put screws on joists to firmly attach them to your ceiling. Just make sure you mark joists beforehand.
Leave gaps between grooves enough that it can slide freely on the tongue, but not too loose (at least a half-quarter inch). When you reach the edge, cut your board and leave ¾ inch gap, and put wood glue on the edges.
Step #2: Lubricate the Wood
Most wood being sold is pre-finished. You can use tung oil to bring out the natural look of your wood while offering external protection. Wood grain is the best part of wood ceiling, and it wouldn’t make sense to fully cover it with paint.
Either varnish or polyurethane can protect your wood as well. Although they’re fast drying, tung oil soaks through wood fibers deeper. Tung oil doesn’t form into protective barrier on wood surfaces. Rather, it fills the spaces inside and draws out moisture to prevent decay.
Step #3: Paint the Walls (Optional)
You can paint the walls as you deem fit. However, it’s not necessary. Painting walls provide extra protection. Wood floorings will also adhere better if your drywall is painted well.
Paint the boards while it’s not yet installed. It’s more accessible and easier. Apply primer first and let it dry. Then, add layers of semi-gloss or gloss paint. You can also choose clear latex if you prefer preserving its natural properties.
Step #4: Install the Walls
Follow the installation technique used for ceiling as mentioned above. In fact, walls are easier than ceilings because you’re less likely need ladder, and your neck won’t tire as much.
Advantages of Having Wooden Walls
People use wooden walls for their houses because it’s durable, easy to install, and attractive. Have a look at more elaborate details on why you should consider having wooden walls:
Durability
By nature, wood has strong structure. Lumber like teak and cedar can resist certain amount of force, and it has natural properties that barriers itself from external elements. Treated wood extends its rot, dent, and water resistance. And well-finished further extends its lifespan.
Easy to Install
Wooden walls require basic tools, has simpler procedure, and consume lesser energy than other materials. Woodworking has been around for years, so it’s well-understood. With the help of technological advancement, the ease of wood application developed throughout the years.
Wooden and Warm Aesthetic
There’s no denying that walls made of real wood provide natural, warm, and relaxing appeal. Every species of wood has distinct looks you can choose from. The sky’s the limit in installing wooden walls. You’ll have prettier walls, the more creative and imaginative you are.
Wooden walls are common in sustainable houses, but people love to mix them with modern designs as well. They are naturally warm, so you’ll lessen the use of heating system. They’re great insulators and provide wonderful acoustics to a room.
Places to Install Wood Floors on Your Walls
You can use wood floors to highlight certain areas in your house. Surrounding your minibar [1] with wooden walls has a nice feel to it. Wood planks bring nice aesthetics to bedrooms, at the back of your TV in the living room, or simply surround your house with wooden walls.
If you’re more practical, wood has great acoustics. If you’re a musician who practices a lot, use it to treat sound reflections in your studio.
Moreover, wood is 10 times better at keeping room temperature from rising. Heat transfer rate moves slowly on wood. Therefore, walls made of wood are ideal for houses exposed to direct sunlight, especially in summer.
FAQ
Can you use plank flooring on walls?
Yes, you can use plank flooring on walls. Plank flooring is built durable to withstand weight and pressure for 10-20 years. That’s why it will last longer if used on walls.
Plank flooring on walls becomes a trend for its sustainability and creative possibilities. DIY enthusiasts use it on their walls in lots of ways. Planks are easy to apply and accentuate a natural vibe to your house.
How can I mount laminate wood flooring on a wall?
The main goal here is to keep laminate wood flooring stuck to your wall for a long time. Unlike flooring, wall is 90 degrees, and gravity will pull the planks if it’s not sticky enough. Plan ahead and ready your tools.
You’d need better adhesives for it to stay adherent. Have nails, screws, measuring tools, hammers, and drills to do the job.
Is it possible to use hardwood flooring on walls?
Hardwood is denser than other types of lumber. It can withstand heat and moisture, besides being a great addition to your interior design.
Hardwood has protective properties it can naturally protect itself from rot, dent, and water. Technology and engineering developed hardwood to work on walls and other applications outside flooring.
Read Next: Can I Put Acrylic Paint on My Face?
Conclusion
As our team elaborated, you can put wood flooring on walls, but it’s essential that you make the right measurements. Wood flooring can be expensive, so we recommend you only buy what you need to save money.
Wood flooring is worth it anyway. A good one can last for 10-20 years, especially in places with rare weather and temperature fluctuations. Well-treated wood is incredibly resistant to moisture, humidity, and dents for a long time.
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