Cape Nickel Gap Shiplap

Installation Guide

Required tools and materials:J-roller, 4' level, TSP (trisodium phosphate) for cleaning sub wall, a pencil, saw (miter saw, jigsaw, hand saw with miter box), a hammer & a few finishing nails.

Please inspect the planks prior to installation. Contact customer service before installing if there are any cosmetic concerns.  Read Instructions thoroughly before beginning installation. Instructions must be followed in order for warranty to remain effective.

In order to insure proper adhesion and to avoid future movement such as gapping between boards and cracking on the face of the planks, permanent HVAC must be on and maintained between 60 ̊ - 75 ̊ F with a relative humidity in the home between 30-55% for a minimum of 14 days prior to installation as well as during and after installation. To accommodate for any changes in humidity, allow 1/4" expansion space for every 10' of wall on all sides. The planks can be installed on any structurally sound, clean, dry, and flat surface. DO NOT install as flooring. Cement block, plaster and gypsum surfaces should have a minimum of one coat of primer sealer prior to installation. It is not recommended to install planks in high moisture areas such as steam rooms. For bathroom installations, additional nail down is recommended.  

1. Clean and dry the surface

Turn off power to installation area while working around wall outlets and light switches. Remove electrical cover plates, protruding nails and loose paint. Sponge wash with TSP (trisodium phosphate), available in hardware stores or home centers, to remove residues of greasy grime, mildew, chalked paint or anything that might affect the bond of the VacuuBond™ adhesive. If wall has a heavy drywall texture, it will need to be block sanded and primed so the VacuuBond™ adhesive can achieve a firm bond. Wallplanks can be installed over well bonded smooth wallpaper. Textured wallpaper should be removed and wall cleaned with TSP prior to installing wallplanks. After the wall are thoroughly cleaned, the walls also must be thoroughly dried.

2. "Dry Lay" the planks

Work from several open boxes and “dry lay” before permanently installing to create your desired look. Working from several open cartons, lay them in an open area according to your desired aesthetic and preferred staggered sequence.

3. Adding trim pieces

 For walls that have outside corners, a trim piece may need to be purchased separately to create a finished look. If trim pieces are needed on your project, measure 1 3⁄4" back from where you wish the wall to end and then draw a vertical plumb line using your level. This line will be your guide to where the planks need to be cut. The trim piece is made to overlay the edges of the plank and should be nailed to the wall using small finishing nails after the entire wall is installed.

4. Establish your starting line

There are multiple ways you can establish your starting line. The most important aspect of establishing your starting line is to ensure that the first row of planks you install is 100% level. If your baseboard and ceiling are level, you can use one or the other to establish your starting line. If neither your baseboard or ceiling are level, you will need to establish a level line across the wall. With the use of a pencil and a 4' level, you can establish a starting line across your wall at eye level. DO NOT adhere the plank until you have it placed in the right position. Once the material is adhered to the wall it will be very difficult to reposition.  

Tip 1: Do not adhere planks until they are placed in the right position. Once the material is adhered to the wall, it will be very difficult to reposition.

Tip 2: To help ensure an absolute straight starter line with the first plank, we recommend you tap 1 1⁄2" finish nails halfway into the wall along the starting line at every 12". The protruding nails will help position the starter planks along the starting line before they are adhered to the wall. This procedure will not be possible when installing over a block wall. Use extra caution to ensure your first row is straight if you are not able to use nails as a guide.  

5. Applying the planks

Starting on the left side of the room, and using the starting line (and nails) as a guide, peel the paper off the VacuuBond™ adhesive and position the starter row planks groove side up, along your line. Press into place and immediately use the J-Roller over the plank surface. If you placed positioning nails in the wall (Step 4), remove them at this time. When applying the next row of planks underneath, approach the shiplap joint at a 45% angle and interlock appropriately. If applying the next row above the first one, be careful to only overlap the underlying shiplap joint. Please note: a 1/4" expansionspace around the parimiter of the installation is required. Trim can be used to cover this for a more aesthetically pleasing installation.

6. Stagger the planks

Now that your level starter row is in place, stagger the end joints as you work your way up and down the wall, so that your end joints do not match up from row to row. To accomplish this look and minimize your waste, use your cut off piece from one row to start the next row.

7. Unique marks

Mark locations of light switches, electrical outlets and air vents on the planks before removing the paper liner on the tape, Cut and trial fit before installing. These cuts can be made using a drill to create a starter hole if necessary and then cutting with a jig saw or scroll saw.

8. Cutting the planks

 For walls that have outside corners, a trim piece may need to be purchased separately to create a finished look. If trim pieces are needed on your project, measure 1 3⁄4" back from where you wish the wall to end and then draw a vertical plumb line using your level. This line will be your guide to where the planks need to be cut. The trim piece is made to overlay the edges of the plank and should be nailed to the wall using small finish nails after the entire wall is installed.

9. Installing the top and bottom rows

When installing your top and bottom rows, the planks can be cut lengthwise by using a jigsaw or table saw.

10. J-Roller

To help set the VacuuBond™ adhesive after the installation is complete, the wall must be rolled using a J-roller to insure the bond. Not using a J-roller can lead to failed adhesion. If a trim piece is used to finish the installation, it can now be installed. Refer to Step 3 for trim installation instructions.

Individual J-Roller

J-Roller *Important Wall Panel Installation Tool*

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11. Finish with Trim

If one or more trim pieces are be added to finish installation, they can be applied at this time. Refer to Step 3 for trim installation instructions.

12. Ceiling Installations

For installation on ceilings, follow steps 1-10 and use 1" brad nails every 16” on the left and right side of the plank to further secure the planks to the ceiling. Or watch our affiliates ceiling installation video here.

TIP: For extra assurance and added protection, apply primer to your wall prior to installation and use a nail gun with 1" brad nails in addition to the VacuuBond™ pre-applied adhesive. If needed, you may use some filler and a touch up marker to blend the nail hole in with the finish.

Care & Cleaning

Keep your Wallplanks walls looking gorgeous with Wallplanks Wood Wall Covering Cleaner*, an eco-friendly product carefully designed to keep your engineered wood and laminate walls clean and beautiful for years to come.

Made without the harsh, finish-stripping chemicals common in other cleaning products, Wallplanks Wood Wall Covering Cleaner is gentle on your walls, and it won't harm you, your family or the planet.

Cleaning: Besides being beautiful, our Wallplanks are virtually maintenance free.

The primary method of cleaning is dusting normally with a clean, dry cloth.

As needed, or on a semi-regular basis, damp wipe them using Wallplanks Wood Wall Covering Cleaner.

Remember never to saturate your wood walls - use only slightly damp (wrung out) cloths.

Wipe from top to bottom, going with the grain to avoid visible streaks. Also, do not use wax, detergents, polishes, abrasive cleaners or oil-based products on your Wallplanks walls.

These products contain chemicals that could permanently damage the finish of your engineered wood or laminate panels.

We are here to help. Please contact us if you have any additional questions about how to clean wood wall paneling.

Hanging Pictures and other Wall Décor: Wallplanks are not load-bearing.

For hanging pictures and other heavy objects such as televisions or mirrors, drill clearance holes through the wall plank and mount objects directly to wall studs with screws or nails.

Note that when decorating your wall, slight adjustments to cleaning the panels may be necessary.

Hang objects wisely so that you can be thorough and adequately maintain the appearance of your Wallplanks product.

*This product is only for pre-finished hardwood. It is not intended for use on raw/unfinished or oil-finished wood.

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