How to Build a Laminate Accent Wall

Measure the height of your accent wall. Divide this figure by 33 inches. Cut a plywood sheet 30 inches tall by 94 inches in width for the corresponding wall space.

Place another piece of plywood on a work surface. Measure the length of the wood. Cut two pieces of 1-by-1 inch board to this length. Apply construction adhesive to the bottom side of the board. Position the 1-inch board on the long side of the plywood and flush with the side and ends. Repeat for the second 1-inch board. Screw through the plywood into the 1-inch board and recess the head of the screw. Add screws every 8 inches.

Turn the plywood upside down with the 1-inch boards face-up. Measure between the inside edges of the 1-inch boards. Cut two pieces of 1-by-1 inch boards to this length. Apply construction adhesive to the bottom side of each board. Align one board along the short end of the plywood flush with the edge. Turn the plywood over and screw through the plywood into the 1-inch board to recess the screw head. Add screw every 8 inches. Repeat for all the plywood boards.

Place the plywood face side up. Apply laminate adhesive over the plywood with a roller. Cut the laminate sheet 2 inches longer and 2 inches wider than the plywood. Apply laminate adhesive to the underside of the laminate. Center the laminate over the plywood, starting at one short end. Press the laminate into the plywood and smooth it from the center toward the sides with a hard roller. Allow the laminate adhesive to dry for 24 hours.

Cut the extra laminate off with a router. Cut strips of laminate wider than the thickness of the sides of the plywood and 1-inch boards. Cut two strips 2 inches longer than the plywood for the length and cut two strips 2 inches wider for the width. Attach the short end pieces to the panel with laminate adhesive. Allow the glue to dry and trim off the excess. Repeat for all of the panels.

Attach 5-inch-wide stainless steel banding horizontally on the wall from the floor to 5 inches above the floor. Screw the top edge of the band into the studs. Position a laminate panel horizontally 3 inches above the floor. Slide some scrap 2-by-4 inch boards under the bottom to hold it in position while you work. Check for level as you go.

Mount a second stainless steel band horizontally on the wall 32 inches above the floor. Screw the band to the studs, staying 1/2-inch from the top and bottom edges of the band. You will need to tip the laminate panel away from the wall, as you work, because the top edge of the laminate will overlap the bottom of the band.

Attach the laminate panel over the steel band. Drill at a 45-degree angle through the 1-inch board along the bottom edge of the laminate panel into the stud. Screw through the pilot hole with a long wood screw. Recess the head of the screw. Attach the panel with four screws along the bottom and four screws along the top edges.

Apply the laminate adhesive to the top and bottom edges. Apply the adhesive to the back of the long laminate strips. Press the strips into place on the top and bottom of the laminate panel. Allow the adhesive to dry for 24 hours before trimming off the excess with a router or small rotary tool. Finish one vertical row of panels completely before installing the next row.