Installation Guide

Tools and Supplies Needed: Fine-toothed saw
or a power miter saw, hammer, one inch finishing
nails, brad nailer or power finishing nailer, nail set,
paneling adhesive, tape measure or ruler, level,
combination square, protective goggles (to be
used when nailing and hammering or when using
a saw), caulk, paint and appropriate application
tools.
Conditioning and Prefinishing: Open all pack-
ages and expose boards to the room environment
in which they will be used for a minimum of 24
hours. Removing the planks from the package
and exposing them to the room environment will
accomplish effective acclimatization.
Painting: Wainscot panels may require painting
to achieve panel color consistency. Product will
not rot if left uncoated. Painting this product with
a good quality, 100% acrylic latex paint for Trim
will protect the wainscot to maintain color consis-
tency for many years and can be used to achieve
custom finishes.
Wall Preparation: If walls are in good condition,
glue and/or nail planks directly onto the drywall
or plywood. On uneven, cracked, or rough walls,
planking should be nailed to a framework of 1 x
3 or 1 x 4 furring strips of any specie that have
been kiln dried. It is not recommended that plank
paneling be applied directly to studs.
On cinder block or concrete, walls needs to be
sealed to help prevent moisture from collecting
between the wall and the wainscot.
Use 1 x 3 or 1 x 4 wood furring strips of any
species that have been kiln dried.
Wood Furring strips should be placed horizontally
no more than 12” on center – Furring strip closest
to floor should be 1/2” off the floor.
The top furring strip should be installed so that
the top of the furring strip is in alignment or level
with the top Royal Reversible Cap and Base. When
furring strips are used, the wainscot and cap will
project away from the wall and an additional
moulding like quarter round will need to be used
to cover the gap on the top.
The Wainscot should be glued and nailed to the
furring strips.
Step 1: Use 7716 Reversible Base and Cap
Trim (sold separately from planks) – Optional
Step
• Wall planks should be precision cut to required
lengths for best results.
• Mark position of studs
on drywall.
• Cut reversible base and
cap trim to measured
length and apply adhe-
sive to the back.
• Place reversible base and cap trim onto wall
bottom with groove for planks facing up. Level
base to ensure it is horizontal.
• Nail base into studs. If floor is not level, you
may need to add a piece of quarter round or
shoe moulding to cover any gaps between the
base trim and the floor.
• If joining two pieces of trim end-to-end, it is
recommended that they each be miter cut at a
45 degree angle to create a seamless appear-
ance.
Step 2: Tongue and Groove Planking
• Pick a corner of the room to start in. You will
work left to right if you
are right-handed and
right to left if you are
left-handed.
• Dry fit the first plank
by inserting it into the
groove in the base
trim with the grooved
edge toward the
corner. Trim the first
plank with a plane or
saw to fit the contour
of the corner (if necessary) while making sure
that the plank is level and plumb. Make sure
that you leave a 1/8 inch gap at all corners for
expansion and contraction.
• If planking is being installed without the base
trim, make sure that an 1/8 inch gap is left at
the bottom of the wainscot planks between the
planks and the floor to allow for expansion and
contraction.
• Decorative corner
mouldings can be
used on both inside
and outside corners to
cover gaps.
• Apply a bead of ad-
hesive on the back of
the plank and attach
plank to the wall. It is very important to ensure
that this first plank is both level and plumb!
• Face nail the first plank, even if you plan to glue
the other planks. Use
at least two one inch
nails to secure this
first plank to the wall.
It is best to secure the
plank at the top and
middle edges. The
top will be covered
by Royal Reversible Base and Cap Trim. There
is a hidden nail fin so that face nailing is not
required after the first plank.
• Continue to add planks to the wall by inserting
the groove of each plank into the tongue of
the adjacent plank. Use adhesive and/or nails
to secure each plank. Nailing planks to studs
every 16 inches will ensure excellent adhesive
contact.
• It may be necessary to rip the last piece to fit
into a corner.
• Use crown moulding to cover any gaps that
occur between the top of the planks and the
ceiling or miter cut the ends of each plank to fit
snugly against the ceiling.
Step 3: Reversible
Base and Cap Trim
(sold separately
from planks)
• Cut the reversible
base and cap
trim to measured
length and apply
adhesive to the back.
• Place the reversible base and cap trim over
the planks so that the groove fits on top of
them. Leave an 1/8 inch gap at the top of
the wainscot planks between the planks and
the reversible base and cap trim to allow for
expansion and contraction. Make sure that
the reversible base and cap trim is level before
nailing into studs.
• If joining two pieces of trim end-to-end, it is
recommended that they each be miter cut at a
45 degree angle to create a seamless appear-
ance.
• Apply bead of caulk along the top, inner edge of
the trim to fill in any exposed gaps.
Wainscot Plank Paneling
Installation Instructions