RELIABILT Wall Planks
RELIABILT wall planks for accent walls, shiplap looks, and interior wall cladding.
RELIABILT wall planks are tongue-and-groove or shiplap-profile boards designed for interior accent walls, priced from $1.50 to $4.00 per square foot. Available in primed MDF (paintable) and pre-finished wood-look options. Standard plank widths of 5.5" and 7.25". Install horizontally for a classic shiplap look, vertically for a modern farmhouse feel, or diagonally for a statement wall.
Wall Plank Methods
| Nail-On | Brad nail through tongue into studs or furring strips. Most secure, permanent. Best for whole-room applications. |
| Adhesive | Construction adhesive on back, press to wall. No nail holes. Works on smooth drywall. Good for accent walls. |
| Clip System | Metal clips screw to wall, planks snap onto clips. Removable. Best for renters or temporary installations. |
How to Choose Wall Planks
Material: Primed MDF planks are the most affordable and work well when you plan to paint. Pre-finished planks in wood-grain patterns skip the painting step entirely and are ready to install out of the box. Choose primed MDF if you want a specific paint color; choose pre-finished if you want a natural wood look without staining.
Profile: Shiplap planks have a visible channel between each board, creating a shadow line. Tongue-and-groove planks fit tightly together with no visible gap, producing a smoother surface. Shiplap is the more popular choice for accent walls because the shadow lines add visual interest.
Estimating: Measure the wall area in square feet (height x width). Add 10% for cuts and waste. If installing diagonally, add 15% instead. A standard 8ft x 10ft accent wall is 80 sq ft of material.
Direction: Horizontal planks make a room feel wider. Vertical planks make a room feel taller. Diagonal installation creates a dramatic focal point but produces more cut waste. Choose the direction based on the room proportions you want to emphasize.
Accent vs full room: A single accent wall is the most common approach and requires the least material and effort. Full-room plank coverage creates a cabin or farmhouse effect but requires substantially more material and work around doors, windows, and outlets. Start with one accent wall to test the look before committing to a full room.
Color selection: White and light gray painted planks are the most popular choices and brighten a room. Natural wood-tone pre-finished planks add warmth. Dark planks can make a small room feel smaller. In rooms with limited natural light, stick to lighter plank colors for the best result.
Issues and Fixes
| Planks not level | Start your first row with a level line, not the ceiling or floor, as both are often uneven. Snap a chalk line and align the first course to it. Every subsequent row follows the first. |
| Gaps between planks | Tongue-and-groove boards may gap if not seated fully. Tap each plank into place with a rubber mallet and a scrap piece used as a tapping block. Never hammer directly on the plank edge. |
| Adhesive failure | Construction adhesive requires a clean, dust-free wall surface. Wipe the wall with a damp cloth before applying adhesive. Apply adhesive in a zigzag pattern, press the plank firmly, and pull it away for 30 seconds before pressing back. This activates the adhesive for a stronger initial bond. |
| Warping from moisture | Acclimate planks in the room for 48 hours before installation. MDF planks can warp if exposed to humidity changes during installation. Store planks flat, not leaning against a wall. |
| Last row too narrow | The final row at the ceiling or floor often needs to be ripped to width. If the last row is less than 1" wide, it will look like a sliver and be difficult to install. Avoid this by calculating your layout in advance: divide the wall height by the plank width. If the remainder is less than 2", rip the first and last rows equally so both ends look balanced. |
Proper planning before the first plank goes up prevents most wall plank problems. Dry-fit a few rows, check your layout math, and address outlet boxes before committing to adhesive or nails.
Long-Term Care
Cleaning: Dust wall planks with a dry microfiber cloth or duster. For stains, use a damp cloth with mild soap. Avoid spraying cleaning products directly onto MDF planks, as pooling liquid can cause swelling at joints.
Touch-ups: Painted planks can be touched up with a small brush. Keep leftover paint stored for this purpose. Pre-finished planks are harder to touch up; use a furniture touch-up marker in a matching color for minor scratches.
Repainting: Painted accent walls can be refreshed with a new color at any time. Lightly sand the surface, prime any bare spots, and apply two coats of finish paint. This is one of the advantages of MDF planks over pre-finished options.
Nail hole filling: Fill brad nail holes with lightweight spackle, sand smooth with 220-grit sandpaper, and touch up with matching paint. For pre-finished planks, use a color-matched wood filler crayon. Filling nail holes before the final paint coat produces the cleanest result on painted planks.
Replacement timeline: Wall planks on interior walls last 20+ years with no structural concerns. The main reason to replace is a style change. Individual damaged planks can be removed and replaced without disturbing the rest of the wall. Complement your accent wall with matching baseboard and shelf boards for a cohesive look.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can wall planks be installed on a textured wall?
Yes, but with conditions. Nail-on and clip-system installations work fine on textured walls because they fasten mechanically. Adhesive-only installation may not bond well to heavy knockdown or popcorn texture. For adhesive installs on textured walls, install furring strips first and attach planks to the strips.
Do I need to remove baseboard before installing wall planks?
It depends on your installation direction. For horizontal planks, you can remove the baseboard, install planks to the floor, and reinstall baseboard over the planks. Alternatively, start the first plank row on top of the existing baseboard. For vertical planks, baseboard can stay in place and the planks sit on top of it.
How do I handle electrical outlets on an accent wall?
Turn off power at the breaker. Remove the outlet cover plate. The plank thickness (typically 5/16" to 1/2") adds depth to the wall, so you need outlet box extenders to bring the outlet flush with the new surface. Cut planks to fit around the outlet box using a jigsaw. Reinstall the cover plate after planking is complete.
Frame your accent wall with matching baseboard at the bottom and crown or cap moulding at the top. For a full room renovation, pair with new doors and trim. See installation guides.