How much does it cost to install interior wall panel

By adding paneling to your walls, you can give your interior design more depth and style. You can choose from many different wall paneling ideas. Whether you prefer the clean look of flat paneling or want a more ornate look. For example, raised paneling with a custom design.

Before choosing a style, however, it helps to know the cost of wall paneling installation. There are some factors that will affect the cost of installing wall panels in a 12 x 12-foot room. Prices range from $3,000 to $4,500. Depending on the style of decorative wall panels, the material, and whether you do the work yourself or hire someone to do it, the price of installing wall panels can vary.

How Much Does It Cost Per Square Foot to Install Wall Panels?

In most cases, the price to install wall panels is usually calculated per square foot of installation. For most styles, adding interior wall panels costs about $20 per square foot. For different wall panel trim materials, the cost per square foot ranges from $1 to $40.

What Are the Costs of Different Types of Wall Panel Materials?

There are many different types of common wall panel trim materials. Therefore, the type of wall panel you choose will largely determine its price. For example, lap siding is a cheaper siding material compared to covered siding or raised panels, which cost more per square foot.

The table below shows the prices of different types of wall panels. This will help you figure out which type best fits your budget.

Type of Wall Paneling	Average Cost Per Square Foot
Wainscoting	$1–$10
Bead board	$7–$20
Board and batten	$7–$20
Flat panel	$7–$10
Raised panels	$10–$30
Shiplap	$1–$30
PVC	$7–$40
Overlay	$10–$40

You should also consider the type of material used to make the wall panel. Medium-density fiber (MDF) board and other durable, low-cost wall panel materials may be near the lower end of the price range. Hardwoods, especially the more popular exotic species, can cost up to $40 per square foot.

Wainscoting

Wainscoting is a combination of different styles and types of lumber. It may have siding on the back and horizontal lines on the top and bottom. Another popular style is a large rectangular flat panel made with decorative strips to add depth and interest. Typically, wainscoting is laid only along the bottom half of the wall. The cost of this wainscoting material is approximately $1 to $10 per square foot.

Beadboard

Beadboard consists of vertical boards that are divided by small grooves or depressions. This type of wood paneling costs between $7 and $20 per square foot. You can use beadboard for siding, or you can use it to cover an entire room from floor to ceiling.

Board and Batten

Board-and-batten paneling consists of large, flat boards with vertical molding attached to the joints. The price of this type of paneling is about $7 to $20 per square foot, a large part of which is the cost of measuring and proper installation.

Flat Paneling

Flat paneling is one of the least expensive types in terms of price. It costs about $7 to $10 per square foot. Flat panels have a modern look since there is no decoration on them. It gives the room a clean and crisp look. Flatwood was very popular in the 1950s and 1960s. Although this style has lost some of its appeal, you can still get a clean, modern look with it.

Raised Panel

Raised panels are larger pieces of paneling with a smaller beveled panel, usually square or rectangular. They are priced between $10 and $30 per square foot.

Shiplap

Shiplap usually consists of a number of panels that are usually arranged horizontally, but can also be arranged vertically. These panels give walls more texture. Most Shiplaps cost between $1 and $7 per square foot. However, if you choose a specialty hardwood, the price may be higher.

PVC Wall Paneling

PVC wall panels have the advantage of being long-lasting, waterproof, and mold-resistant. These decorative wall panels usually come in a variety of different colors and finishes to better match interior design styles. PVC wall panels can be installed for around $7 to $40 per square foot.

Overlay

You can add an artistic look called “Overlay” to your existing wall panels to give them a new look. Most Overlays cost between $10 and $40 per square foot. As a result, they are also one of the most expensive and fancy decorative materials.

Labor Costs for Installing Inlaid Wainscoting

If you need to hire a professional installer, the price per square foot will add another $0.25 to $3 to the price of the wall paneling mentioned above. This depends on how complex your wall paneling design is.

Installing simple beadboard or flat panels usually costs the least. On the other hand, installing slats or wainscoting requires more work and will cost more. However, in most cases, hiring an installer will not account for more than 10 to 15 percent of the total cost of installing a wall panel.

If you hire a general contractor on an hourly basis to install the wall panels, you’ll pay about $90 per hour in labor costs on top of removing the price of the decorative wall panels themselves.

Do-it-yourself vs. Hiring a Professional

You may be able to install the wall panels yourself, as this is usually pretty easy. If you have the right tools and know how to work with wood, the following types of decorative wall panels shouldn’t be difficult for you:

Sticky beads / Flat panels / Pre-cut raised panels / Lap joint panels

The other types of decorative wall panels usually require very careful measuring and cutting, making them difficult to install DIY yourself. If you want to get the job done right, you may want to hire the services of a carpenter in your neighborhood.

If you do it yourself, you’ll likely save between $100 and $300 on the cost of the job for a standard-sized room. Since labor costs are only a fraction of the cost of installing wall panels, you may want to hire a professional right away to avoid any problems.

Can I Paint My Wall Panel?

Yes, most wall panels can be painted. Many wall panels are even sold unpainted, so you can paint or stain them any color you want. In most cases, unpainted wall panels are cheaper than painted wall panels.

However, you should consider how much time it will take you to paint it yourself before you choose whether it is worth saving money. This will save you money because you won’t have to pay someone to decorate your wall panel.

You can usually paint over the stain or paint the color already on your siding. Just make sure that you treat the area the right way before painting.

Why Should I Install Wall Panels?

Wall panels are both practical and aesthetically pleasing. In practical terms, these wall panels can make your home warmer and more energy efficient, especially if you choose solid wood wall panels. In addition, they keep your walls safe.

Wall panels can add different textures, warmth, and style to make a room look more interesting. Decorative wall panels can improve many different home designs. This is because they come in many different sizes, shapes, and styles.

Finally, installing wall panels is relatively easy. So if you change your mind about the look of wall panels over time, you still have some options.

How Much Does It Cost to Remove Wall Panels?

Removing old wall panel material usually costs between $0.60 and $1.15 per square foot. However, this depends on the complexity of the wall panel and how it was installed. Since removing wall panel material is a fairly simple job, you may want to do it yourself if you have the time and the right tools.

If you want to install new paneling, you may need to install new drywall, which can cost around $1.60 to $2.35 per square foot. If you don’t like the look of the paneling, you can also put drywall over the paneling and finish the sheetrock.