Create the look of shiplap walls for a fraction of the cost by using this easy and affordable DIY alternative to solid wood planks. 

Materials

•4’x8’ sheets of 1/8” hardboard handy panels

•Table saw (or ask your home improvement store to pre-cut to size)

•Chop saw

•Construction adhesive

•Pin nailer

Wood filler

•Sand paper or palm sander (180 grit)

•Perma White in Satin Finish

•Tile spacers (or nickels work well too)

•Micro-fibre Lin-free paint roller and cage (or sprayer if preferred)

•Synthetic paint brush

•Paint tray

•Drop cloths

•All necessary safety equipment (ie. Protective eyewear, mask, latex gloves etc)

How To

•Using a table saw, cut the 4x x 8’ hardboard handy panels lengthwise into equal size strips (*Cutting them into 8” widths will give you 6 equal panels per sheet, but don’t forget to deduct the width of your saw blade for each cut to create consistent sized boards.  Many home improvement stores will cut the boards on-site, but be sure to have exact measurements with you)

•If the boards have rough edges from cutting, give them a light sand to smooth them out

•Prior to installing the boards on the wall, ensure that your surface is clean and any visible holes are patched 

•Apply a generous amount of construction adhesive to the back of your first panel, and then place it in the top left corner of your first wall

•The construction adhesive will hold it in place long enough for you to install pin nails using a nail gun around the perimeter of the plank.  This will secure it and ensure that the board doesn’t move while the adhesive dries

•Repeat with the next board, use a spacer between the end of the board to create the standard “shiplap gap”

•When you’re ready to install your last board in the top row, measure and cut to size using a chop saw, but ensure that you’re also deducting the “spacer” amount from the cut measurement

•Use the cut end piece from the last board to start your second row back under where you applied your first board, and repeat installation process. Ensure that you’re using a spacer at the top of the board as well as end-to-end

•Once all of the boards are all attached and the construction adhesive has thoroughly dried, fill any visible nail holes with wood filler, but if you’re using a small gage pin nailer, the holes will likely be so tiny that the paint finish will cove them well

•When you’re ready to begin painting, place a drop cloth on the surrounding area, thoroughly store the Perma White paint, and pour into a tray.  Perma White is a paint/ primer in one with built-in mildewcides, so you do not need a separate primer prior to application

•If applying with a brush and roller, it works best to first brush the corners and all horizontal and vertical gaps between the boards, then roll out a top coat over all surfaces

•Repeat with a second coat of paint and allow to dry thoroughly

•If spraying is preferred, use a .017 tip and high/ medium pressure.  If thinning is required, use only water and no more than 10% per 12oz gallon of paint

WATCH our how-to video HERE!