As we begin our journey into the realm of wall paneling, we'll start by taking a quick look at the various types of paneling available.
Frame and Panel
Frame and panel options can be challenging to understand if you're not well versed in wall design. These types of panels are typically designed to extend from the bottom half of your wall, up to the average height of the back of a chair.
Frame and panels are described as such because of how they are arranged once installed. They sit above the skirting boards and underneath the chair rail, which constructs a "frame" around your wooden panel.
Skirting boards are a type of molding that sits at the bottom of your wall and serves to cover the joint of the wall and flooring. They serve as a protection against scratches and bumps, like the chair rail, which sits around the height of the back of a chair. Chair rails protect your walls from being scratched or stained by chair backs dragging against them.
Vertical and Horizontal Lining Board
Lining boards are a lot simpler to understand than frame and panel arrangements. These boards can be placed in a variety of arrangements and patterns. Despite their name, they can be arranged in unique ways and open a number of style options.
Typically, lining boards are easy to install and come made in a variety of materials including medium density fiberboard, vinyl-coated gypsum and high-density EPS (a type of foam).
Shiplap
Shiplap panels are inspired by design used by shipbuilders to prevent water from reaching the insides of ships by slipping in between panels. Shiplap panels are boards that overlap one another using a "tongue" and a "groove" that interlock.
Originally, this interlocking (paired with other primitive chemical treatments) was what prevented water from entering the inner chambers of ships. Nowadays, the design is simply decorative, but the interlocking can contribute a little to thermal insulation.
Faux Brick
Faux brick paneling has grown in popularity recently as textures have become increasingly realistic. As you probably have guessed by the name, faux brick wall paneling is, of course not made of brick. These panels can be found in vinyl, manufactured wood and EPS foam and are usually adhesive to preserve the integrity of the design after installation.
Faux brick wall panels often use repeating patterns that you can size to fit your wall or mix and match as you see fit. Doing so is also easy since these panels can be cut via scissors and can interlock almost regardless of which angle you cut them from.
Tin Backsplash
Tin backsplash panels are another style that has become popular due to increases in the quality of design. When installing panels like these, you aren't simply putting up a wallpaper that "sort of" looks like a tin backsplash. Modern designs are so accurate that your wall will look just as if it is made from tin.
Unlike faux brick, tin backsplash isn't found made from as many materials. Instead, you will readily find tin backsplash panels made from Vinyl and PVC.