It is recommended that wood wall panels be installed in climate controlled interior environments with humidity and temperature controls. As with any natural wood product, be sure to acclimate the wood to the environment where it will be installed. Stack wood panels in alternating rows and allow them to acclimate for one week.

If you are preparing to install wood panels in a newly constructed space, use plywood for the walls instead of drywall. This will ensure a smoother installation process and prevent damage should you choose to remove the panels later on.

If you intend to install panels on an existing wall you have two options: If you don’t want to construct a new wall, you will first need to clean the walls. Wipe down papered or painted walls thoroughly. If the wall is coated with glossy paint, rough the surface with sandpaper to improve the grip of the adhesive. When all walls are thoroughly cleaned and prepped, apply a coat of primer, just as you would if you were about to paint.

Installation on drywall surfaces presents a slight challenge, as removing panels fixed to drywall with an adhesive will effectively destroy the drywall. It is therefore recommended that you avoid applying adhesives directly. This option is using just pin nails to fasten your panels. However, depending on the pattern and wood species it may require puttying to hide the nails. Alternatively, fastening a substrate, such as thin sheets of plywood, to the drywall can provide a surface that can take an adhesive. Furring strips – long, thin lengths of wood – can also serve as a substrate, and are available at most hardware stores. Placement of furring strips should be based on the pattern and size of the wood panels