Renovating a Mudroom With Washable Bead Board

Functionality

• Washable bead board not only adds a decorative touch to your mudroom, it also helps with cleanup. Mudrooms are generally used for pets, temporary storage, dirty clothes and outdoor tools and fixtures, all of which can mark or damage walls. A washable bead board surface will resist stains and marks while holding up to repeated scrubbings and heavy wear. Bead board is a cost-effective alternative to frequent repainting or wallpapering.

Style

• Washable bead board is often applied as wainscoting to cover the lower half of a wall below a horizontal chair-rail molding. This creates a traditional, informal look that recalls European and New England interior design aesthetics. Washable bead board comes in a variety of colors, giving you a chance to accent a color or emphasize a family of colors by choosing bead board that doesn't match the existing walls.

Types

• Selecting the right washable bead board for your mudroom is essential to getting the look and function you desire. Some washable bead board is made of natural wood while other products use wood composites and synthetic materials for lighter weight at a reduced cost. Wood bead board can come with a natural finish and a washable top coat or a painted finish with a similar washable sealant. If appearance is a priority, select bead board that offers a wide range of color availability. If you are more concerned with durability, look at customer ratings and sealant types to find a product that will hold up well over time.

Installation

• Bead board typically comes in large panels, which means you can save money by cutting your own panels to size with a circular saw at home. If you buy bead board that is primed rather than painted, apply several layers of paint and sealant to make it washable before installing it. When the cut, painted panels are ready, raise them into place and nail them directly to the drywall with paneling nails and a hammer. Apply painted, pre-cut floor or chair-rail molding with a nail gun or paneling nails and a hammer. Cover the nail holes with nail putty and paint to ensure that water from frequent scrubbings won't cause the nails to rust and discolor your bead board.