Home renovations remain something many people in the United States. According to a survey conducted by Houzz, nearly half of all Americans renovated part of their homes in 2018. There are a lot of options when it comes to changing up the look of a home. Adhesive shiplap is one great choice and works in just about every area of the house.

Not everyone has heard of shiplap and think it may be may be the same thing as peel and stick wood panels but it is not really the same thing. Shiplap is a kind of wood board. There are a number of ways it can be used in the home. If you think that you want to go this route, here are some ways to install it yourself.

1. Go for smaller shiplap planks. One problem that has been seen when the planks are too long is that they are more vulnerable to warping. Often people think the walls will look better with the longer planks but the warping can totally change the way everything looks. You will be better off if you use shorter planks for your space.
2. You need to have space along the outer edge of the wood. Wood is a natural material and as such, it expands and contracts depending on the level of humidity in the home, the temperature, and other factors. The space should be between one quarter and one-eighth of an inch. Trim can be used to cover over the gap.
3. Finish nails can be hidden with tongue and groove boards. You will need to take some time to put the nails in using an angle. When you use an angle to put them on the tongue, you can use the next shiplap board to cover the nails themselves.
4. Check the boards before you install them. One feature of any wood boards is that they are all a bit unique. If you spend some time with a level to make sure you are putting them up as straight as you can.
5. Start your installation project at the top. In many houses, despite what people may assume, the floors are not level. That is ok, the ceilings always are. To make sure you install the boards to be truly level, your best bet is to start up by the ceiling. This is also an easier way of doing things. You have less of a chance of damaging the panels as you move from the top to the bottom.
6. Buy your wood from the area lumberyard. You will get better deals on better wood if you go to the lumberyard than to a chain store, such as Lowes, Wallmart, or Home Depot. You can opt for wood that has been primed already or do that yourself.
7. Remember to consider the surface of the wall when selecting your nails. If you have any questions about what nails work with the surface you have, ask! The people at lumberyards know a lot about this sort of thing and will be happy to help.
8. Think about the finish. You can get paint if that is the route you are going, that has primer added, which saves you a step. If you are not looking to cover over the color and grain of the wood and want to bring it out, you can use a wood oil to enhance the look or a stain. You really have a lot of options here so take your time. Wood can last decades and your walls will be up a long time so you should have something you like looking at.

The interior design business is a large industry in the United States and around the world. The American interior design industry sees at least $10 billion in revenue every year so if you are renovating your home, you are, by no means, alone. Many people feel overwhelmed by the number of choices they have. Psychologists say that when we are confronted with too many options, it prevents a choice from being made. One good thing to remember is that there are professionals around to offer suggestions if you need them. Shiplap is a great option and these tips will help.