Beadboard Paneling Versus Knotty Pine Paneling

Are you looking for wood paneling for your home’s walls? Two favorites are pine beadboard and knotty pine paneling. Beadboard is known for its traditional look with vertical grooves milled into it. Knotty pine is a rustic wood with natural markings of knots, grain, and colors.

Beadboard Paneling Is Traditional

Beadboard paneling has been around for decades, and old photos, movies, and TV shows display its long popularity. It’s typically ¾” thick and 4” wide with the tongue and groove end-matching design. The following provides a general description of this famous pine product:

Knotty Pine Paneling Provides A Natural Look

Knotty pine paneling is typically available in 4”, 5”, 6”, and 8” widths and ¾” thickness. The best results are obtained by using tongue and groove paneling with the end-matching design because nail and screw heads do not show. This is a general description of this product:

• Appearance: Rustic wood with natural markings and characteristics
• Style: Provides a sturdy and rustic style for most homes
• Installation: Easy to install and can be used on walls, ceilings, or decking
• Durability: Pine can withstand much wear and tear
• Sustainability: A virtually zero-waste product
• Warmth: Provides the warmth of natural wood
• Maintenance: Wipe clean with a soft cloth, polish if necessary
• Cost: An affordable way to cover walls and ceilings
• Drawbacks: There are virtually no drawbacks to this product

“Two favorites are pine beadboard and knotty pine paneling.”

Wainscoting Or Full Walls?

There are two general ways to use beadboard and wood paneling. Wainscoting with either product is applying it to the lower one-third of a wall. The other option is applying it the entire way from bottom to top.

Wainscoting’s purpose is to add variety and aesthetics to a bleak-looking wall and protect the wall from chairs bumping against it. The top edge is covered with wood chair railing that looks like trim or molding. Baseboards are installed at the bottom while inside corner and ceiling trim is added if desired.

Full-wall paneling covers an entire wall or walls in a room. Full walls can also be created for accent or display walls with shelving in any room. As with beadboard, baseboards, inside corner, and ceiling trim can be added if desired. If you want to install either product vertically, you need to add some horizontal wood framing between the vertical wall framing for support.

Ceilings Can Be Paneled

We generally think beadboard and wood paneling are only used on walls. They can be installed on ceilings and stained or whitewashed if you want a brighter room. Some wood framing must be installed between the ceiling joists if you want to run the wood in the same direction as the joists. When installed at right angles to ceiling joists, it is secured the same way as on walls.

If you have a second floor and want to deaden some noise, place insulation above the beadboard or paneling ceiling on the lower floor. It will help keep the lower floor warmer in the colder months. Beadboard and paneling can be installed on ceilings in four situations:

• Directly to ceiling joists in new home or office construction
• Remove the old ceiling and replace it with new wood
• Install beadboard or paneling over the current ceiling
• Adjust for trims, light fixtures, switches, and outlets if the third option is used

Trims And Moldings Complete The Job

A variety of trims and moldings are available to dress up your walls and ceilings. This chart makes it easy to see what is available.

Note: Any of the above products can be ordered with a clear top coat only or stained with an added clear top coat. Pine beadboard paneling and knotty pine paneling add charm to the walls and ceilings of virtually any home. Our products are hand-inspected and defect-free to ensure the highest quality available – The Log Home Shoppe.

References and Resources:

• Wainscoting Walls
• High-Quality Paneling