How to Install Tongue-and-Groove Wainscot Paneling (page 2 of 2)

There are many way to add wall paneling. Sturdy, interlocking boards give a more dimensional look than flat-plywood type paneling.

Excerpted from Do It Yourself Home Improvement

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Install the Framework page 1
Install Tongue-and-Groove Paneling page 1
Dealing With Corners page 1
Paneling Around Obstacles page 1
Working Safety current page
Cutting Around an Outlet or Switch current page
Cutting Around an Outlet or Switch current page
Laying the Last Board current page

Working Safety

Switch off the electricity supply at the consumer unit before removing the face plate from any fixtures such as an outlet or switch plate. Pay attention to all safely advice for working with electricity, and check terminal connections before replacing a switch plate and turning the electricity back on.

Cutting Around an Outlet or Switch

Deal with fixtures as you come to them. Remove the switch plate, remembering that wires are still connected to it (Image 1).

Remove the wires from the back of the switch plate and tape the cores separately before taping the wire as a whole to protect it (Image 2).

Insert a box extension so the outlet sits beyond the paneling (Image 3).

Attach the box extension with the screws provided (Image 4).

Position furring strips around the perimeter of the hole, and nail them in place (Image 5).

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- Image 5

Cutting Around an Outlet or Switch

Place a vertical board over the opening. Measure and mark the opening (Image 1).

Cut carefully measured sections of the paneling to sit around the fixture. Position and secure paneling in the normal way (Image 2).

Attach the receptacle in place with screws (Image 3).

Reattach the cover plate (Image 4).

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- Image 4

Laying the Last Board

Temporarily position a new board exactly on top of the last placed complete board (Image 1).

Cut a small section of the width of a board. Holding one end against the wall, run it down the wall, using a pencil at the other end to draw a line (Image 2).

Surface nail along the edge of the board. There is no tongue for blind nailing at an angle (Image 3), so you must nail through the face of the board into the furring strip below. Then neaten the seam between the paneling and wall by pinning some quarter-round in place, mitering any seams between lengths if required.