How to Apply Board Planking to Walls

Remove the baseboards from the room. Pry them off carefully with a pry bar so you can use them again.

Measure and mark a chalk line on the wall at the height you want to set the bead board planking. Take care that this line is level by using a carpenter’s level or a laser level.

Locate the studs behind the walls with a stud finder. Mark their location slightly above the line you drew in Step 2.

Cut bead board planking to the height you measured in Step 2 using a circular saw.

Apply several stripes of construction adhesive on the end of the wall where you plan to set the first piece of planking. Set the planking against the wall with the groove facing the wall’s corner. Hold a carpenter’s level against the side to ensure the wood is straight up and down, or plumb. Check that the top is level as well. Press the planking firmly against the wall.

Nail finishing nails into the tongue on the top and bottom of the plank. If possible, put the nails into a stud.

Continue setting the sections of bead board planking until you get to within the last two sections for the opposite corner of the wall. Measure how much you need to trim off the outside piece and cut it with a circular saw. Apply the adhesive for both pieces and slide them both into position at the same time. If necessary, widen the spacing slightly on the tongue and groove between the planks to get a good fit. Add the finishing nails to secure the planking to the wall.

Measure and cut the wood you selected for the chair rail. Make mitered cuts for the corners with a miter saw.

Apply a bead of construction adhesive above the wainscoting. Hold the chair rail above the top of the bead board. Secure it to the wall studs with finishing nails using the marks you made in Step 3 as your guide. Use a nail set to countersink the nails.

Measure and cut the molding to go under the chair rail. Make cuts, as necessary, with the miter saw. Place a bead of construction adhesive underneath the chair rail on the surface of the bead board. Attach the molding with finishing nails placed into the studs. Countersink the nails with a nail set.

Attach the baseboard to the bottom of the bead board with finishing nails. Countersink the nails using a nail set.

Fill any nail holes with wood putty that matches the color of the wood. Smooth the putty with your fingers to blend it in.