Kristel - Author
This vertical shiplap design guide shares the different types, installation tips and ideas for styling your living room, bathroom, fireplace, interior & exterior walls, kitchen island, and backsplash.
Try your hand at DIY vertical shiplap if you are seeking a home improvement project that is both simple and affordable. It will give your house a fresh new look right away. The sleek look of the shiplap installed vertically is the perfect complement to the contemporary farmhouse home.
What Is Vertical Shiplap?
The appearance of vertical shiplap has stood the test of time. It can resist the ebbs and flows of what is popular in interior design, provided that it is applied wisely. Therefore, vertical shiplap is the best option if you want a design feature that can endure the test of time instead of being on-trend.
It might be deceiving. It gives the illusion that the room is higher than it is. Installing vertical shiplap paneling is an excellent option for creating the optical appearance of taller ceilings in a space lower than the average ceiling height.
In addition, the lines of the vertical shiplap can assist in counterbalancing the lines of the horizontal elements in a room, like shelves, tables, worktops, kitchen islands, and other similar details. Shiplap paneling installed at an angle is an excellent technique to create visual harmony in a space that otherwise features a preponderance of horizontal lines.
When you install shiplap vertically, it is a one-of-a-kind alternative to one installed horizontally. Because it isn’t common, the vertical orientation of the shiplap is the way to go if you want to add a wow factor to your shiplap.
A shiplap installed horizontally rather than vertically does not have the same qualities as a vertical shiplap. It gives the appearance of something entirely different. Remember that the installation process may be slightly more challenging than horizontal shiplap (though still DIY-friendly).
The use of a vertical shiplap is a unique design option. Suppose you like to go against the trend and experiment with something unusual. In that case, the one-of-a-kind quality of vertical shiplap is a clear selling point for you.
There’s debate about how long vertical shiplap has been around. In an episode of her design show “Fixer Upper” in 2013, Joanna Gaines decided to keep a home with a shiplap façade exposed rather than covering it up.
Since then, shiplap has transitioned from being a standard external paneling component to a contemporary interior design trend.
Vertical Shiplap Paneling
You would need help distinguishing between shiplap and tongue and groove paneling based on their appearance alone. Shiplap is quite similar to tongue and groove paneling.
Vertical shiplap is a style of paneling that may be crafted from various materials and has an L-shaped lip on both sides of the overlapping section where the panels meet.
Tongue and groove, on the other hand, is a style of paneling constructed using various materials to create an indentation and a protrusion at the location where the groove panels interlock. This sort of paneling is also known as tongue and groove.
They used to waterproof ships with shiplap. It is distinguished from other types of wood paneling by the rabbet (groove) cut at each board’s top and bottom. This design allows the panels to overlap one another and create a watertight seal.
Vertical Shiplap Walls
This design is beneficial if you live in a home with lower ceilings. Using vertical shiplap as wainscoting in a mudroom area or on a kitchen island is a great touch that adds visual interest.
Vertical lines create the idea that ceilings are taller than they are, which contributes to the overall effect of making a room appear larger than it is. Vertical shiplap, which has more of an antique appearance, can be a good fit with features that are more rustic or period in style.
Vertical Shiplap Half Wall
It is also possible to provide a more creative area to paint the higher divisions. You can add even more design elements to your developing space.
Vertical Shiplap Accent Wall
Adding vertical shiplap walls to your doorway is a fantastic way to bring character and texture to the space. They may be painted in any color, allowing you to perfectly complement the color scheme of the rest of the room.
This feature is an excellent option for you if you want an accent wall in your home that is unique compared to the rest of the decor in your house.
Vertical Shiplap Bathroom
Additionally, it adds some architectural character and intrigue to these plain areas, which would not otherwise have either.
Shiplap is a beautiful addition to almost any bathroom. You can use this in various ways, including an accent wall on the ceiling or a partial wall. See our gallery of shiplap bathroom ideas here.
Vertical Shiplap Fireplace
With its more laid-back and adaptable aesthetic, a shiplap fireplace is compatible with various home design styles. It works well with many materials used for the fireplace surround.
White shiplap, a wonderful neutral hue for most homes, is a terrific choice for farmhouse, classic, transitional, and contemporary interiors. It is also an excellent choice for exteriors, especially in coastal areas.
Depending on the style that you want to achieve, it is simple to combine with other rustic components, such as bricks that have been lime-washed, a mantel made of wood beams, or stone cladding.
Vertical shiplap fireplace walls painted in black, gray, or other daring hues are also becoming increasingly popular in today’s design world. The fireplace’s status as it enhances the room’s primary focus by using a shade that stands out from the others.
The use of dark colors in the room also adds a sense of drama and melancholy to the environment. On the other hand, a panel with a natural wood tone finish has a distinctly rustic character that lends an atmosphere of coziness.
You may install a vertical shiplap in your fireplace surround to complete the look. This extra measure guarantees total safety if you follow the applicable safety requirements. Each state has its regulations on fire prevention and the materials that must be in use around buildings.
Vertical Shiplap Backsplash
Under cabinets or behind open shelving, a shiplap backsplash is a beautiful design choice. It can be used in a lot of ways and is classic.
Will shiplap backsplash become damaged if water gets on it?
This question is common, and the most effective response is to get high-quality paint that can seal the shiplap and ensure it remains watertight. Inquire with the paint provider in your neighborhood about the type of paint that works best for shiplap backsplashes. If your shiplap backsplash gets wet at any point, you should rapidly wipe it dry with a dry towel.
Make sure that when you hang it, there is a space between the counter’s top and the shiplap’s bottom. Doing so will prevent it from sitting squarely on top of the counter.
If a gap in the shiplap is closed with caulk, the water will not come into contact with the wooden shiplap but rather with the caulking.
Here are a few tips for installing a vertical shiplap as a backsplash:
Purchase boards that are straight and have few to no knots.
To stop moisture from collecting on the bottom of the shiplap boards, hang the panels above the counter and caulk the gap.
If water splashes up on them, rapidly wipe them off, and use the proper paint to ensure that they won’t absorb moisture.
Vertical Shiplap Kitchen Island
Typically, boards are cut in the shape of a saw, allowing them to overlap and resemble a milled board, with one plank covering the next. Using this method prevents cracks or gaps between boards over time that result from wood expanding and contracting in response to changes in humidity.
Just remember to choose the right sort of shiplap by considering how much use and abuse your island receives. If there is much traffic in the area or you have children, you might use wood shiplap rather than MDF.
Measure the height and length of your island before deciding whether to cover it with shiplap or reclaimed wood to determine the required materials. You can fasten a vertical shiplap to a kitchen island in a few different ways.
You can attach the boards with a nail gun and fill the nail holes with filler before being painted over. Or you could glue the boards together with something like Liquid Nails.
Vertical Shiplap Siding
Vertical shiplap siding has flush joints, a significant advantage over clapboard. It is pretty straightforward to install, and many prefer the smooth finish. This vertical design offers additional protection from the elements it provides for your exteriors.
Because it can absorb the natural movement of wood that occurs when the temperature changes, shiplap is an excellent choice for usage in harsh and cold environments. Because the joints rarely open or buckle, it is common in homes, outbuildings, and sheds. It can withstand all types of weather.
Vertical shiplap has several obvious benefits, one of which is that it is effortless to put up. The installation grooves come with a design pre-rabbeted into the edges of the wood.
It would be best if you stacked the boards on the other. Alternatively, if you want to create a vertical installation, you can stack them on top of each other.
Vertical shiplap siding is most frequently constructed from cedar, redwood, pine, white fir, and engineered woods. You can also use other types of wood. It would help if you considered your finances while making your decision, as natural wood is typically more expensive than engineered wood.
Many finishes are available, and the one you choose will primarily dictate the overall appearance you want to achieve. You can choose a smooth finish for a more contemporary look or go for a more rustic look by having the wood rough-sawn. You can often purchase boards in widths ranging from 3 to 10 inches.
Farmhouse Vertical Shiplap
Still, by the early 1900s, it had also found its way into homes and barns. It is now virtually indistinguishable from the farmhouse and rustic design styles.
Dust accumulates on all horizontal surfaces, including the gaps between the shiplap planks, and this is no exception. Installing the panels in a vertical orientation is a simple solution to the problem.
This trick will do wonders to reduce the dust that gathers and is a more stylish way to display shiplap. You can make your shiplap look even more modern by omitting the whitewash and instead painting the planks.
Shiplap paneling installed vertically makes the room appear larger and taller. This design element highlights any vertical lines in a room.
Hence, if your home already features wonderful industrial vertical windows, you can follow the chimney lines to highlight what your property already possesses. Before installing your shiplap, you should have researched to determine what style would complement your room the most effectively.
Vertical Shiplap Wallpaper
Shiplap wallpaper will not fool anyone, to tell you the truth, and we will be honest with you about that. Close up, it seems like imitation shiplap wallpaper, but it has a more natural appearance when viewed from a distance.
If, on the other hand, the color and the texture of the lines that shiplap provides appeal to your senses, then you should give this a try. Wallpaper with a textured shiplap pattern might be an excellent happy medium to choose if you don’t want to do any damage to the walls.
The installation of the shiplap is a relatively laborious process. Taking measurements of the boards, making trips to Home Depot, and cutting are all part of the process. Wallpaper made to look like shiplap is a removable temporary solution you can experiment with in your home without making a significant commitment.
Installing vertical shiplap wallpaper is very similar to conventional wallpaper in terms of the technique. Because it does not require any wallpaper paste or adhesive to be applied, you can peel it off and stick it anywhere you want it to go.
You can try this if you have a long open wall in your home with very little trim or if you want a detachable temporary solution for your home.
If you were seeking a way to personalize a place you rented or looking for a solution to decorate your home for a shorter period, this would be an excellent option. A long flat wall is an ideal surface for displaying it.
How To Install Vertical Shiplap
Here are the tools and materials needed for a vertical shiplap installation:
• Caulk
• Brad and Liquid Nails
• Wood filler and furring strips
• Level, tape measure, and a stud finder
• Miter saw and jigsaw
• Screwdriver
• And, of course, your shiplap boards
When you first begin work on your vertical shiplap project, you should measure the installation area to determine the approximate amount of supply that will be required.
Before installing your vertical shiplap boards, you should open them up and leave them in the room for at least forty-eight hours to become acclimated to the environment.
1. Make preparations for the wall. Take everything off the wall, and remove any furniture you can find. Take off the covers of the light switches and outlet covers, as well as the baseboards and crown molding.
2. Look for the studs in the wall by using the stud finder. Make a note of the location of each stud.
3. Create holes in the wall for the outlets. Identify the locations on the wall where you will need to cut holes to install outlets, light switches, and other components before installing the shiplap boards.
First, draw a template for the openings on a piece of paper. Use a jigsaw to cut the boards per the template.
If you are not using construction adhesive, attach furring strips horizontally every two feet. Start from the ceiling, working down to the floor.
4. Measure from the ground up to the top of the first board. Reduce the length of the board. Because the wall height may change at any point between every two and three feet, take measurements at regular intervals.
5. You can skip this step if you use furring strips instead of glue. Otherwise, apply construction adhesive to the back of the first board throughout its length.
6. Applying steady pressure to the board while pressed against the wall will ensure that it adheres to the wall completely, from the top down. Use the nailer to fasten the initial board to the furring strips if you are working with furring strips.
7. Place the vertical shiplap boards, utilizing spacers to produce a nickel-sized gap between the two sections of the assembly. Continue to move over the wall until the entire surface is covered.
We recommend using wood filler to fill the nail holes.
You should use your desired color to paint the vertical shiplap. Eggshell is the color of choice for most people because of its lightness and neutrality.
8. When attaching the baseboard to the bottom of the shiplap boards, you can use nails or construction glue. Replace any light switches or outlet covers that you took off at the beginning of the project.
9. Apply caulk with a caulk gun along the top of the board planks where your shiplap wall meets the ceiling and along the margins of the wall where it meets the other walls. The caulk makes the edges watertight and contributes to the end product’s smooth appearance.
Vertical Vs. Horizontal Shiplap
Vertical Shiplap Features
• More timeless and rustic
Vertical shiplap is rustic and old. Vertical shiplap is great for mid-century, contemporary, and traditional designs. When applied carefully, it may survive interior design trends. Vertical shiplap is a timeless design component that needs to be more trendy.
• It can heighten a room.
Vertically laid shiplap can make low ceilings look taller. They can assist in the counterbalance of horizontal lines like shelves, tables, countertops, and kitchen islands. They’re great if you want to balance a room with several horizontal lines.
• More unique and unconventional
Horizontal Shiplap Features
A horizontal shiplap is a way to go if you want your home’s decor to be current. The more popular and typical of the two options is horizontal shiplap. In the field of interior design, it is still trendy. Installing a horizontal shiplap will guarantee that guests will drool over your interior design choice.
• It can widen a room
A horizontal shiplap creates an optical illusion, just like a vertically installed shiplap. It can make a space appear bigger than it is. Therefore, horizontal is the best thing to do if you are keen on making a room appear or feel larger than it is.
Because it balances the vertical direction of the stairs while extending the stairs’ look, horizontal shiplap is also frequently used behind staircases. You can use this to balance a large kitchen cabinet optically.
• It’s more compatible with the farmhouse décor
Horizontal shiplap is the way to go if you want to attain the ever-popular modern farmhouse look. It is a mainstay of the farmhouse style. (Horizontally installed shiplap works well with homes in the coastal or Cape Cod styles.)
Why does it fit this look so well? The appearance of horizontal shiplap is similar to that of barn walls, which naturally matches farmhouse architectural themes.
Mixing Vertical And Horizontal Shiplap
Visit our shiplap ceiling design guide for more home restoration ideas.
