Installing Tongue and Groove Planks

How To: Installing Tongue and Groove Planks for Ceilings and Walls

Installing tongue and groove planks is an excellent way to add warmth and texture to your ceilings or walls. This simple technique creates seamless, interlocking joints, resulting in a smooth, polished finish that’s both sturdy and visually appealing.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about tongue and groove installation. Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or a first-time installer, read on to learn how to master this timeless design feature and give your space a fresh new look:

Before Installing Tongue and Groove Walling or Ceiling

The first stage of installation is getting the right tools together. Below is the list our experts recommend:

  • Tape Measure
  • Nail Gun and Nail Set Tool
  • Rubber Mallet / Hammer
  • Jig Saw and Circular / Hand Saw
  • 2” Galvanized Nails if applying directly to Truss/Strut OR 2.5” Galvanized Nails if applying through drywall to Truss/Strut
  • Blue Tape for Marking Measurements
  • Tongue and Groove Planks for Ceiling or Walls
Shop Tongue and Groove Planks

 

installing tongue and groove ceilings

Once you have everything assembled, there is still one more step you need to take before installing tongue and groove walling or ceilings:

  • For interior application, allow product to acclimate for 72 hours before installation.
  • For exterior application, no acclimation is required. Whitewashed colors are recommended for conditioned interior space only.

Installing Tongue and Groove Ceilings or Walls

Once you have everything you need and your planks have acclimated, you’re ready to install! Follow this checklist to get your boards installed:

installing tongue and groove ceiling and wall boards

  1. First, cut a random length board from a full-length piece. Attach the random length board, placing the cut side toward the perimeter wall.
  2. Slide in full length pieces, using the tongue and groove mechanism, to complete the first run.
  3. Starting at the opposite end of the first run, utilize the unused end piece from the first cut to start the second run. Repeat step 2 to complete the second run.
  4. Measure to the splice of the second run and add or subtract 12 inches to determine the length of your next cut. Cut this from a full-length board and use it as the starter for the third run.
  5. Repeat these steps until you have covered the entire surface.

Tips when Installing Tongue and Groove Ceilings and Walls

Lastly, here are a few tips to consider once you start installing tongue and groove walling:

  • Keep Unattractive Sections of Board: While installing, you might come across some unattractive sections of a board (i.e. contains a split, bowed, or warped). DO NOT THROW THESE AWAY. Cut out the section of board that is unwanted and use the rest as a starter or end piece. This will prevent running short or having to use the undesirable sections towards the end of installation.
  • Don’t Nail Down Ends: The interlocking design allows for installation without having to nail or staple the ends of the boards to studs or joists.
  • Keep Seems Tight: Keeping seams tight when nailing tongue and groove planks for ceilings or walls can help prevent twisting
  • Purchase Enough Material: During installation, you can expect a 5% waste factor. Make sure you account for this when purchasing your tongue and groove planks for ceiling.

dark brown tongue and groove walling

With these instructions in mind, installing tongue and groove ceiling and wall boards should be a great DIY project! Click here to download the PDF Installation Instructions so you can have them on hand during your installation.

If you have questions or need further assistance, feel free to click below to reach out to our team of experts. We’re happy to help!

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