How to Put Up VJ Walls

VJ, or vertically joined, walls are another name for tongue-and-groove walls. These walls are made of vertical strips of wood that lock into each other with a continuous tab on one side of the board, the tongue snapping into a slit, or groove, on the adjacent board. VJ walls are produced from a variety of different types of woods and finishes, allowing a large amount of choice when finishing or remodeling a wall.

Tape measure
Furring strips
Circular saw
6d finishing nails
Hammer
Level

Instructions

- 1
  Make pencil marks on the vertical studs of your wall every 16 inches, starting from the floor and working upward.
- 2
  Measure the width of the wall. Cut a series of furring strips to match the width. Nail the furring strips horizontally across the vertical studs with 6d finishing nails, using the pencil marks on the vertical studs as a guide. Place a final furring strip at the top edge of the wall.
- 3
  Measure the height of the wall. Cut your tongue-and-groove boards to match the height of the wall. Starting at one side of the wall, place a board against the wall. Place a level on the edge of the board to ensure that it is plumb. Nail the board to the furring strips with 6d finishing nails.
- 4
  Place the next board against the first, locking them together with the tongue-and-groove slots and tabs. Nail the board to the furring strips.
- 5
  Continue placing boards until the wall is covered. Cut the last boards to the proper width if necessary for a proper fit.

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