Wood paneling, often associated with older homes, is increasingly being used in contemporary homes to protect walls and as a unique design feature.

Wood paneling does add to the cost of a room remodel. But it has many advantages that contribute to the home’s durability and resale value. Wood paneling is a soundproofing material. In dining rooms, paneling protects the lower half of the walls against chair bumps. Natural wood paneling that is stained or clear-coated gives rooms a soothing feeling. Wood paneling, too, can be painted for a more formal look.

Summary of Paneling Types and Terms

Wainscoting: Panels on the lower 1/2 or 1/3rd of a room, often in beadboard style.Beadboard: Vertically grooved panels that have a traditional style.Shiplap: Horizontal siding boards often used indoors as a design element.Tongue and Groove: A way of attaching two boards with a tongue inserted into a groove.Board and Batten: Battens are wide vertical molding pieces installed on larger boards.Raised Panels: Deeply beveled squares or rectangles in panels for a classic look.Flat Panels: Smooth panels that have a modern look.

A Detailed Look at Paneling Types

Wainscoting

Wainscoting is any style of wood paneling that is on the lower one-half to one-third of a wall, usually around the entire room perimeter. Wainscoting protects the wall from damage, especially in areas prone to impact, such as dining rooms or children’s rooms.

Wainscoting is commonly assembled from beadboard panels. Often, a thin strip of chair rail is run across the top of wainscoting as a visual cap and to receive the impact from chair backs.

Beadboard is a style of wood paneling characterized by long, continuous vertical grooves and raised beads spaced every inch or two.

Beadboard is found in individual boards, each about 32 to 48 inches long by 3 to 4 inches wide. Boards fit side-to-side. Alternatively, beadboard can be purchased in large panels as long as 8 linear feet that help expedite the installation process. The beads and grooves are molded into the board in the factory.