How do I do shiplap with an uneven wall?

Rosin Hernandez
by Rosin Hernandez

I love the look of a shiplap wall, but what can I do if the wall is uneven? In the middle of the wall its a 1/2" or 1/4" dish.

  2 answers
  • Bijous Bijous on Jul 16, 2018

    Hi Rosin, build up that area with vertical strips of wood, such as screening moulding. That should level out the wall. Good luck.

  • Elaine Elaine on Jul 21, 2018

    You can either build up with thin molding or get compound and smooth the wall out. Run string line from corner to corner to see how unlevel the wall is, that way you’ll know if it will be easier to skim coat the wall or add the vertical slats

    • See 1 previous
    • Elaine Elaine on Aug 06, 2018

      Great! Good luck and keep the string the same distance from the wall. You could use a Combination square to set and check the distance. I’d do it every couple feet up the wall to the ceiling You could use those removable hangers as they are molded plastic and should be the same distance and use mason’s string A long level at least 4’ long will help, 6’ would be better but more expensive It will also be helpful in locating dips if the dip isn’t longer than the level. Anything shorter than 4’ will not be very accurate. You can use a pencil to outline the area and then feather the mud to the line.