How to Redo a Wall With Barn Wood

Old barns are a nostalgic symbol of a time gone past. Instead of discarding the wood used to build these historic emblems of our culture, many people use the wood to decorate their homes. Recycling the materials from an old barn as flooring, wall coverings or even shelving and cabinets, is an inexpensive way to decorate your home as well.

Pry bar
Contractor bags
Insulation
Sandpaper
Tack cloth
Polyurethane
Paint brush
Tape measure
Skill or hand saw
Nails
Hammer

Instructions

- 1
  Remove the current wall covering from the wall studs. Drywall can be pried off with a pry bar and placed in contractor bags to minimize dust. Wood paneling can be removed with a pry bar or claw of a hammer. Be sure to remove screws or nails as needed.
- 2
  Insulate the walls well between the studs if they are not already. Replace fiberglass insulation that is falling down or spray foam insulation through the walls.
- 3
  Sand the barn boards down with medium-grit sandpaper, if necessary. Wipe the dust off with a tack cloth.
- 4
  Finish the barn boards with polyurethane, lacquer or your chosen finish. This protects the boards, but is not a required step as some homeowners like the rustic look of unfinished barn boards.
- 5
  Cut your barn boards to the length needed for your walls using your hand or skill saw. The boards should reach the floor and the ceiling in one length or you can cut the boards to varying lengths and stagger them as you like.
- 6
  Line the boards up tightly together and nail them to the studs.

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