Add Warmth & Style to Any Space with a Faux Wall

Wood brings character, but budgets bring reality. Skip the swelling, sanding, and sticker shock with a faux wood wall that still delivers beautiful grain, rhythm, and warmth. Slats for a modern vibe, shiplap for a familiar one – get your orientation and joints right, and your guests won’t know the difference.

When you are ready to get started with your wood-like wall project, visit Wood Country Building Services and we'll answer any additional questions and help provide everything you need to transform your living space with the aesthetic of wood.

Why Faux Wood?

While natural wood is beautiful in its own right, faux wood offers several benefits over the real thing.

Affordability

Wood is a commodity and is subject to market factors and price fluctuations. Do you recall how lumber prices skyrocketed during COVID-19? Finding a faux wood option can help your project timeline and budget stay on track.

Ease of Installation

Faux wood isn't affected by the environment like real wood and is much more stable. Real wood expands and contracts with seasonal changes, and its grain composition can cause twists and bows, among other imperfections. Since faux wood is a manufactured product, it has better uniformity than wood. The increased stability improves installation because the installer doesn't have to wrestle with pieces that don't fit together well due to defects and minute size variations. It also comes prefinished, eliminating the time-consuming step of sanding, painting, staining, or sealing the surface.

Greater Selection

Faux wood is available in a wider range of styles, finishes, and sizes than real wood, giving consumers greater choices to match their home's aesthetics.

Faux Pas: The Drawbacks of Faux Wood

While faux wood provides versatility, it isn't ideal for high-traffic applications. Since it is a manufactured product, the exterior finish isn't uniform throughout the material. This means it has a veneer, which can get damaged over time. Real wood is the same throughout; damage can be easily repaired by sanding and refinishing.

What Do I Need For a Faux Wood Wall?

The material you choose will determine how you tackle the project. For example, picking a thin, lightweight product may allow you to use a utility knife to score and snap the material during installation. Alternatively, you may need a mitre saw with a specialized blade to cut through your faux wood. When planning the project, find a product you like early on, understand the manufacturer's recommended installation guidelines, and then plan the project accordingly.

Consider This Before Installing A Faux Wood Wall

The construction of your home and where you decide to install the faux wood wall will also influence the installation process. For example, will you install it from wall to wall, or need trim details to cover the exposed raw edges? Are you installing the wall over the existing wall covering, like drywall, or onto bare studs? Are you installing it against a masonry wall?

Orientation and Backing

You will also need to determine the orientation of the slats or shiplap. For example, will it run parallel or perpendicular to the wall studs? Each orientation produces a unique aesthetic look and feel and will have a different installation method. Suppose you install the product parallel with the studs (or vertically). In that case, you may need to install furring strips onto the existing wall to ensure the faux wood is well-secured throughout the installation (if you are covering a masonry wall, this step is necessary). Very few boards have a stud backing when running shiplap vertically on a standard framed wall. Installing furring strips horizontally along the wall (and fastened to the wall studs) ensures the faux wall has proper support behind it.

If you choose a horizontal installation, you can secure directly to the studs, but ensure the butt joints of each plank fall onto the framing. If you plan to install over an existing finished wall, such as drywall or panelling, use plenty of adhesive on the back of each plank and secure them with nails so all boards stay in place.

Joint Spacing and Frequency

If you are installing over a large surface area and the material you choose doesn't come in long lengths, then planning where your butt joints land is of utmost importance. We mentioned above that joints should be well-supported. However, joint spacing and frequency are also key considerations for a professional-looking installation. If you plan to achieve a uniform look, staggering joints in the boards will achieve the best results. Typically, the manufacturer will have requirements to ensure stability and uniformity, but as a general rule, only repeat a joint pattern every three to four rows. Again, your design will determine the installation.

From Faux to Fabulous

Installing a faux wood wall offers the best of both worlds: the warmth and character of wood without the higher cost, tricky installation, or ongoing maintenance of actual lumber. Just remember to consider the unique demands of your space – orientation, furring strips, and butt-joint placement matter if you're aiming for a seamless, professional finish. And if you're still weighing your options or need a little extra guidance, come in and see us. Our team is here to make sure you have the right products and know-how to complete your faux wood wall project with confidence.