Which Size of Wall Paneling Is Best for Your Cabin?

When it’s time to finish or remodel the interior walls of your cabin, think about using tongue and groove/end-matching paneling instead of other materials. You have choices of materials, sizes, unfinished, or pre-finished boards. 

Pine, cedar, and barnwood paneling have benefits you may not have considered. Each comes in a sturdy 3/4” finished size that is carefully defected for loose knots or cracks. One of the main choices to make is the width of your panels:

• 1”x 4”
• 1”x 5”
• 1”x 6”
• 1”x 8”

Real wood paneling looks great in any room of your cabin, basement, garage, or workshop as the following photos illustrate.

Benefits of Using Tongue and Groove Wall Paneling

Here’s why this design is superior to drywall and ordinary paneling:

• The panels can be joined anywhere between or on studs because they lock tightly together.
• They are virtually “zero waste” because you use the sawed-off piece to start the next row.
• You can save 15%-20% in labor which means you finish the overall project much faster.
• The nail heads or screws do not show therefore giving a clean look.
• You eliminate the work that goes with drywall such as covering nail heads, taping, sanding, wiping clean, and painting.
• Superior quality paneling is available online at fair prices sent right to your door.

Now that you know these advantages, the next step is to choose the right size of paneling for your walls, ceilings, or decking.

Available Paneling  Sizes

Selecting the right size paneling is a personal choice based on several factors that include room size, ceiling height, window space, the type of finish, floor material, and choice of room décor. Here are some suggestions for each size of paneling: 

4” – This size is a good choice for wainscoting, smaller rooms, and closets. It also looks fine on kitchen islands and bars arranged horizontally or vertically.

5” – Five-inch panels make an excellent all-around choice for any room. Use it for walls, ceilings, and decking installed horizontally. You can use random lengths to break up the design.

6” – This size also makes a great-looking all-around choice for any application like walls, ceilings, and decking. Arrange it horizontally, vertically, diagonally, in a unique pattern in equal or random lengths.

8” – Eight-inch panels look amazing installed in the traditional vertical wall layout. They also work well for larger rooms such as living rooms and dens in a horizontal layout.

You can apply a whitewash finish to make rooms and smaller spaces look larger. You can use the same width wall paneling as flooring for consistency or different sizes for a contrasting look.

Types of Wood Paneling

Four different woods are available to meet your cabin’s floor plan and décor. Choose from knotty pine, white pine, cedar, and Barnwood. Each has its unique characteristics that add to its beauty and charm.

Knotty red pine has dark knots and grain patterns that are unmatched in natural beauty. It is the most affordable pine wood and is very durable. White pine is another affordable option similar in price to knotty red pine. It is a lighter color with similar grain configurations.

 Cedar paneling is more colorful than pine and is priced higher. It makes a rustic and gorgeous choice for any room in your cabin. Barnwood is made from pine to simulate old smooth or textured barn or reclaimed wood. It comes in a variety of colors to fit your cabin plans. 

Consider Prefinished Paneling 

If you’re on a tight building schedule, using prefinished paneling will speed up the project. The availability of each of the four woods in a pre-finished condition depends on its width from the mill. Pre-finished paneling is professionally applied that yields a superior surface. Letting the manufacturer do the work saves buying finishing materials, hiring a painter, and installation time. 

References and Resources:

Wood Paneling Benefits

Why Use Knotty Pine Paneling