How to Enclose a Room With Wall Panels

Measure the height of each wall in three locations. Measure the height in each corner of a wall as well as the center location. In order to properly install wall paneling to enclose a room, you must first establish that the ceiling height is consistent across the entire wall.

Place a leveler along the base of each wall and slide the leveler across. Slide the leveler up the wall stud in each corner of each wall as well as one of the center wall studs. Checking if the floor and wall studs are level will ensure the wall panels are installed uniformly over the surface.

Establish a level starting point. If the floor or ceiling is not level, the panels will need to be installed at a level location. Place the level 1/2-inch up from the floor along the wall stud on the center of the wall. Using the leveler as a guide, mark the 1/2-inch location with a pencil on two or more wall studs.

Hold the chalk line in each corner of the room. With the help of two friends, one on each end of the chalk line, have them adjust the chalk line until the center location runs across the 1/2-inch marks drawn onto the studs. Snap a line to start.

Measure the height of the ceiling from the chalk line and cut panels to the measured height. Generally, a room is 8 feet high, so you may need to cut off 1/2 inch from each panel using a table saw.

Install the first panel by having a friend help lift the panel up to the ceiling line. Begin in a corner of the wall, and line the panel up to the 1/2-inch guide line at the bottom. Drive one finishing nail every 16 inches across the height of the panel along each wall stud.

Repeat Step 6 until the entire wall surface is covered with wall panels. Cut out any windows or door openings with a handsaw.