D.I.Y Panelling

onq

Registered User
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Thought I'd post this here a it may be of some use to D.I.Y.ers interested in panelling their interiors.

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First of all, set your heights.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dado_rail

900mm isthe norm, but hight dado's can give a very interesting effect and let you use double panels.
In an ordinary height room this may be overkill and look too "heavy".
Then do a scaled drawing of all elevations of your room including the doors and windows.
For a truly classical look you need to consider how the architraves, skirtings and the junctions/corner details of same are handles in timber.
The depths of classical archtraves can be 169-180mm and if you're serious about penelling, you might want to integrate the look of the door as well.
This can lead you to mirror the treatment and soon you'll be panelling the hall!

With the architraves, doors, skirtings all selected and balanced off each other, the left over wall under the dado rail is where you'll be panelling.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panelling
Panelling can be wainscoted or boiserie as shown above, or you might want the other classic look of raised and fielded panels in hte lins below
[broken link removed]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frame_and_panel
Raised and fielded panels can be expensive and an affordable alternative is to use plant-on beads and rectangles to approximate the effect.

For a natural finish, both hard and softwood can be used ot good effect, but in paint a reasonable result can be acheived with mdf.
But although the fit can be perfect with plant ons or mdf, it looks "too perfect" for some, who like to see the character of the jointing and making of the panels.

Once you've decided on the option you want you're left with the matter of dividing up the panelling in a manner that pleases your eye.
Something that looks amazing on a Great House you once visited will not translate well, and it is the interior designer's skill to translate the proportions and apnel orientation to bet complement your particular room.

The large bay can be treated differently to the walls, but the important thing is to size teh panels and the left over spaces on such a way that they harmonize across the full width of the room and all walls.
That's harmonize, nor "mirror", so choose a panels size that's repeatable and don't be afraid of "making up" either a panel or the left-over space.
The same height and materials throughout will help all things to harmonize well.
Personally I don't like panels to be of a different colour to their surround, but that's just me.

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ONQ.

[broken link removed]

All advice on AAM is remote from the situation and cannot be relied upon as a defence or support - in and of itself - should legal action be taken.
Competent legal and building professionals should be asked to advise in Real Life with rights to inspect and issue reports on the matters at hand.
 
Hi Onq
We ahve seen the finished job and it does look brilliant , - Looks well in any room .

Roughly how much does this cost per square metre ?
 
Unfortunately I cannot give an accurate estimate or guide for the costing for any particular kind of panelling.

There is a range or work described above, with screw fixed mdf with plant on beading at the bottom end and raised and fielded panelling in hardwood at the other end.

There are various shades in between including applying several option paint finishes to the panels to make them look like timber or french polishing the hardwood to make it look sumptuous.

Accents in the room to complete the "look" might include built-in bookcases, panelling within the bay window itself, cornicing and ceiling rose above or you could go all the way and introduce ceiling panelling as well.

The more hardwood and penelling details, the greater the cost.
Nowadays, with so many tradesmen idle, and building materials available for reasonable cost [but still not having fallen in line with the industry] you could get this done most reasonably.

I'd say get a set of drawings and a specification agreed for what you want, including housings for lighting outlets. smart wiring, light switching and plug points [silly to do panelling and forget these important items] and get a minimum of three prices.

Ask to see the tradesmens work - you will need a very good chippie/joiner/cabinet maker and a sparks as well as a painter for varnishing or finishing.

If you are doing it yourself you will have to take appropriate safety precautions for working in confined spaces, wotking with electrical wiring, including disconnection of electrical cabling, etc. but you really need a sparks to install test circuits when complete.

You can get advice on training and information on best practices here http://www.hsa.ie

ONQ.
 
Roughly how much does this cost per square metre ?

You can buy 4mil thick 8' x 4' sheets of veneered ply or mdf in various soft and hard woods from about €20 a sheet. Cherry or Walnut would be €30 or €40. That's almost 3 sq metres of panelling. Thicker sheets would be a little more expensive

Planed 3x1 cambarra mahogany will cost around €7 a metre, oak would be around €6.

That should help work out a DIY price, you'd need to add for fixtures/fittings and finishing materials. With a router and other basic tools, you could easily put in something pretty impressive looking.
Leo
 
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