Knotty Pine Paneling Enhances A Garage

A home garage, whether attached or detached, is typically finished or unfinished on the inside. The rafters may be exposed or covered and an attic may be present or absent based on your storage needs. There are many approaches to covering the wall framing and joists or rafters in the ceiling.

A growing trend is installing knotty pine paneling on the walls and/or in the ceiling. It doesn’t matter whether your home is a log or conventional home, wood walls add a rustic and natural touch to any garage. Knotty pine paneling is a sustainable product that has many benefits for garage or home interiors.

What Is Knotty Pine Paneling

Knotty pine paneling is a wood product milled from red pine trees. The boards are cut to size, kiln-dried, and stored for selling and shipping. Pine paneling has these characteristics:

• The best paneling has the tongue and groove/end-matching design for snug fitting
• It is virtually a no-waste product because the cut-off end board starts the next row
• Knotty pine is a strong, durable, stable, and beautiful wood product
• It can be ordered in an unfinished or pre-finished condition
• Knotty paneling is nailed to the wall and ceiling framing with a nail gun
• It is more affordable than hardwood paneling

Knotty pine paneling looks amazing installed horizontally, vertically, diagonally, or in a unique layout design of your own.

Benefits Of Knotty Pine Paneling In A Garage

Your garage won’t look dull or unfinished when the walls and/or ceiling are covered with gorgeous wood paneling. Many so called “finished” garages show drywall tape through the white paint that stands out like a sore thumb. You can avoid this with knotty pine paneling that can be stained many different colors to meet your garage or home décor.

Pine paneling is easier to install than heavy and awkward sheets of drywall. There is no need to tape and sand it like drywall that covers a wide area with sanding dust. It is easy to clean and care for in the long term. Shelves and cabinets are also easier to install on the walls and the paneling gives great support. Staining generally only needs one coat while painting can require 2 coats.

“Knotty pine paneling is a sustainable product that has many benefits for garage or home interiors.”

Layout Styles For Your Knotty Pine Garage

In days gone by, knotty pine paneling was typically installed vertically, and this is still a viable option for a garage. Other ways to lay out your walls and ceilings include:

• Horizontally
• Diagonally
• Herringbone Pattern
• Chevron Style
• Wainscot with Beadboard
• Board and Batten
• Combining Two Styles

Some of these patterns need short horizontal blocks nailed between the wall framing. This provides better support for diagonal or herringbone patterns. You can stain all the paneling with one color or make your own décor with two or more stain colors. Your style can range from rustic to contemporary to modern.

Use your imagination to choose a pattern for installing the paneling boards. Your design and color can be a general-purpose idea or a special layout for a hobby, workshop, or exercise room in addition to a place to keep your car or truck. Check out this unique stained wall video.

How To Install Knotty Pine Walls

The good news is that knotty pine paneling can be installed on wall framing and over existing drywall. Putting it up is not rocket science, and if you have the woodworking skills and knowledge, you can install it instead of hiring a carpenter. The tongue and groove/end-matching design of our paneling creates a superior way to join the paneling boards. The joints fit tightly together that eliminate the danger of separation or cupping.

Install On Wall Framing – Start the bottom row about ¼” to ½’ inch above the floor to allow for any expansion of the wood. Make sure the paneling is level as you go up the wall. For best and faster results, use a nailgun with the correct size nails for the paneling instead of a hammer and nails. The piece you cut off at the end of the row can be used to start the next row.

Install Over Drywall – Keep in mind the ¾” paneling may be thicker than your window and door trim. This may be OK in a garage, but if not, you can remove the trims and reinstall over the paneling or purchase thicker trims. Start by stacking the paneling in the garage for a few days to acclimate it. Next, clean the walls and adjust the depth of any outlets and light switches. Remove nails, ceiling molding, and any other obstacles. Follow this up with checking to see if the walls are flat and even with a laser level. You may need a carpenter’s help with this part. Adhesive applied to the drywall before installing paneling is an option.

Now, mark the wall studs to know where to nail the paneling. Finally, install the pine paneling and trims. You must decide whether to stain the paneling before or after installing it. It’s much easier and faster to order pre-finished paneling.

We hope this information will help with installing knotty pine paneling in your garage. Your enhanced garage will now feel like more than a place to park a car or truck.

Resources And References:

• Knotty Pine Paneling Explained
• Staining Wood Walls