What is Beadboard?

Print anything with Printful



Beadboard is a type of board with distinctive grooves that can be installed vertically or horizontally. It is associated with farmhouses and casual design schemes. There are two styles: traditional tongue and groove and cheaper beadboard siding. Beadboard can be left unfinished, stained, or painted. Trim molding is used to create a sharp dividing line. It’s important to install beadboard perfectly level and cut panels for outlets and switches.

Beadboard is a type of board covered in a series of distinctive grooves. Classically, it is installed so that the grooves run vertically, creating a striped or paneled effect, although people can also insert beadboard along a horizontal axis. This style of paneling first appeared in the 1800s and has become very popular.
Many people think of beadboard when they hear “boiseries.” The distinctive grooves in the paneling make it visually very interesting and creates a very unique look. It also creates a very distinct look that many people associate with farmhouses and more casual design schemes. Traditionally, beadboard is only run part way up the wall like wainscoting, and it can also be run along a ceiling.

There are two different styles of beadboards. The traditional style is tongue and groove boards that fit together. The tongue and groove tend to be very firm, with gaps that expand and contract slightly in response to weather conditions. Beadboard siding is a solid sheet of wood that has been worked with the grooves associated with the style. It’s cheaper and easier to install than traditional tongue-and-groove panels, but some people think it’s not as cool.

Depending on the design scheme and wood, beadboard can be left unfinished or lightly stained, allowing people to see the natural grain of the wood, or it can be varnished. Light woods left with a natural finish can make a room more interesting and warm, although dark woods tend to darken a room. Painted panels have a very clean and classic look that some people like.

Trim molding is usually done along the top of a beadboard installation, creating a sharp dividing line between the wainscoting and the painted or wallpapered wall above. Even the floor covering is traditional, in part to hide the bottom of the boards, which can become uneven and unsightly over time.

People looking to install beadboard can purchase new tongue-and-groove or paneling from a home improvement store or look for recycled materials from a company that specializes in salvaging building materials from demolished homes. Either way, it’s vital that you use care during installation, as the beadboard needs to be perfectly level, or else the room will feel dull. It’s also important to remember that panels will need to be cut to make room for outlets, switches, and thermostats.




Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN


Skip to content