How to Install Raised Panel Drywall

Intro

A room decorated with raised-panel walls or ceiling was always considered a sign of wealth. Besides the expense of the materials, the homeowner had to pay a skilled finish carpenter for the time-consuming and tedious work of fitting the framework and panels. But an innovative drywall product transforms this look into a do-it-yourself project with no fancy carpentry skills involved.

Although you'll probably need to special-order the panels, you'll find a variety of designs that work well as a wainscot treatment, as an upper-wall design, or even for ceiling application. You don't have to cover your entire wall or ceiling; you can center your design and fill in the edges with regular drywall panels.

Careful layout is essential, so invest the time needed to create careful sketches of your project. The manufacturer's Web site offers helpful design suggestions.

The easiest installation method involves using the decorative panels as the overlay in a two-thickness wall.

Checklist

Time
Depends on the size and complexity of your project

Tools
Chalk line, nylon mason's line, line level, caulking gun, hammer or drywall screw gun

Skills
Leveling, accurate measuring and marking, driving fasteners

Prep
Framing completed, first layer of drywall installed

Materials
Decorative panels and regular drywall, drywall panel adhesive, nails or screws

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Step 1

Carefully measure your walls, and plan your layout. Don't feel that you need to cover every square inch with decorative panels. You can use ordinary drywall as filler strips and for flat wall surfaces.

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Step 2

Transfer layout marks from your drawing to the room. Lines marked on the floor indicate the first panel's position, and nails driven into the sidewalls support a leveled nylon mason's line about 3/4 inch away from the installation surface.

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Step 3

Untie one end of the level line so you can apply adhesive to the wall. Press the panel against the wall while a helper resets the level line. Level to the edge of the pattern, not the edge of the panel itself. Drive screws to secure the panel.

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Bend the Design at the Corner

The simplest solution at an inside corner is to end the last panel's design at least 4 inches from the corner. On the next wall, you start the design at an equal distance, and fill in with flat drywall. Be sure to allow for the thickness of the overlapped drywall at the corner so your layout is consistent.

It's also possible to make the design turn the corner. To do that, score the back of the panel with a sharp utility knife, taking care not to break through the front of the panel at the thin parts of the design. Gently snap the panel, then reinforce the corner with a thick bead of construction adhesive. Handle the panel carefully so you don't accidentally rip the face paper.

A drywall T-square helps you make the scoring cut on the back of the panel.

Step 4

Repeat the process to install the next panel. This time you'll level the panels again, but you also need to measure between the edges of the pattern to maintain consistent spacing.

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Step 5

Install all the decorative panels, then fill in with flat drywall. Tape and finish the joints in the usual manner.

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