Painting Vs. Paneling a Basement

Installation

• Painting your basement walls requires a comprehensive cleaning of the walls and then the application of primer and two coats of paint specifically engineered for painting concrete. However, the process of installing paneling can be more involved. You need to attach wood strips to the wall and build out a wall frame to allow access to pipes, utility meters and valves when installing paneling. Paint can offer a quick finishing solution, whereas paneling can take significant preparation and installation time.

Functionality

• Wall paneling is a finishing material. It is designed to provide a particular look to your basement, but it offers little in the way of functionality. Basement concrete paint not only gives you the color you want, but it also acts to help prevent your basement from leaking. You should take the necessary steps to waterproof your basement before any remodeling project. However, paint can help add an extra layer of protection that paneling does not offer.

Aesthetics

• Concrete paint can have many different looks, including solid colors or swirls that give the look of marble, but the underlying concrete wall will still be visible after painting. This can be especially evident if you have a concrete block basement wall. A paneling project can give you the rustic look of a paneled farmhouse or the smooth look of a white finished wall. Paneling is very versatile and allows you to change the appearance of your basement walls in ways that paint is unable to do.

Combination

• Because of the functionality of basement concrete paint and the variety of designs that paneling has to offer, you may be best served by using a combination of the two. An undercoat of primer and concrete paint can help prevent leaking, while the paneling gives a finished look to your walls. You could also paint three of your walls a particular color and install paneling over the fourth wall as a display wall to give the room a unique look.