How We Install Bead Board Walls

$450.00
2 Days
Medium
Since the first day I started blogging, the most frequently asked question is “What kind of bead board do you use?” closely followed by “What kind of bead board should I use?” I know there are a bajillion products out there to give you the look of bead board, but the time has finally come for me to share how we hang our bead board walls.
We use a product called Ply Bead, which we can always find at Home Depot or Lowe’s in the same aisle with the plywood & MDF. It varies a little, but runs about $25 per sheet. 


Ply bead has a tongue and groove feature, where one side is recessed (like in the photo) and the other side has a lip. The top and bottom and simply straight, so it goes together in an interlocking fashion. 
We use screws in the corners of the ply bead to make sure it’s safe & secure. Notice how he pulled it up off the floor just a bit? That wall is about 102 inches tall, which is about 6 inches more than 8 ft. The sheets we use are 8 ft. tall, so we pull it up off the floor just a little, then cover up the difference by using shims beneath and covering it all up with 6 inch trim on the bottom (aka base boards) and 4 inch trim on top (aka crown molding.)
After putting the screws in the corners (which will be hidden by the trim), then we use a nail gun to use pin nails to secure it to the wall along the studs from top to bottom.
The second piece overlaps just a bit, to make the tongue and groove action do it’s magic. Then rinse and repeat with all of the screws and nails. To make holes for electrical outlets, we measure out where it needs to be, then cut it out by using a jigsaw.
Once it’s all hung, I use paintable caulk to seal up the corners & where the trim goes, then paint it all. Now here comes the “UGH!” moment… it’s all painted – from top to bottom – with a brush. I know, I know… it’s not fun, but painting it with a good brush will get in all of those nooks and crannies, but also helps to make it smooth and beautiful. There is a slightly rough texture to the ply bead, which is somewhat typical of any plywood product. Painting it with a brush makes all that grain lay down smoothly and creates a beautiful result.
So pretty icon


Gina @ The Shabby Creek Cottage
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Frequently asked questions
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3 of 9 questions
  • Patty Morgan Patty Morgan on Apr 13, 2017

    if I wanted to paint it with an airbrush paint gun can I get the smooth look as you did with a brush?


  • Betsy B. Betsy B. on Apr 24, 2017

    I have a question for you....we have a park style trailer which we live in for the summer. It has an add-a-room and one wall has the original house siding.

    Can you install bead board over the siding which has an uneven surface (faux wood siding)? I would like a regular wall surface which would look more finished.

  • Sandra Herrera Sandra Herrera on Jun 09, 2017

    Can you usr beadboard for a backspalash?

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  • Hey there, I used a brush, though I would have preferred to use my sprayer, it would have been much quicker. I figured it was worth the extra effort to make sure I was able to get into all of the crevices since it is not a smooth surface. I am sure it would work, you'd just have to concentrate on getting all of the surfaces. Good luck :)

  • Sidney Rippy McLaughlin Sidney Rippy McLaughlin on Apr 16, 2017

    I put a breadboard wainscoting in my bathroom. I love the look of it! When I get to the laundry room, I think I'll do the whole wall. I appreciate your instructions.

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