null Skip to Content

Creating a Headboard/Focal Wall

Before starting - make a plan that is specific to the panel style that you have
selected. Note that some panels are too thick to be used with our universal trims.

  • Caulk Gun Caulk Gun
  • Chalk Line / Laser Chalk Line / Laser
  • Clean Cloth Clean Cloth
  • Color Coordinating Textured Caulk Color Coordinating Textured Caulk
  • Cotton Swabs Cotton Swabs
  • Level Level
  • Loctite© PL© Premium© 3X Construction Adhesive Loctite© PL© Premium© 3X Construction Adhesive
  • Panels Panels
  • Pencil Pencil
  • Safety Glasses Safety Glasses
  • Small Paint Brush Small Paint Brush
  • T-square T-square
  • Tack Cloth Tack Cloth
  • Tape Measure Tape Measure
  • Touchup Kit Touchup Kit
  • Water Water
  • Wood Cutting Saw with Finish Blade Wood Cutting Saw with Finish Blade
NOTE: (1) tube of Loctite PL Premium 3X adhesive is typically needed for every (3) panels.
(1) tube of textured caulk is typically needed for every (4) panels.

Installation-Specific Tools and Materials:

Adhesive and Fastener Installation (recommended)

  • Deck Screws Deck Screws
  • Screw Gun / Drill Driver & Driver Bits Screw Gun / Drill Driver & Driver Bits

Adhesive-Only Installation Over Concrete/Masonry/Metal

  • Disposable
Gloves Disposable Gloves
  • Great Stuff
Applicator
Gun Great Stuff Applicator Gun
  • Great Stuff
Pro Gun
Cleaner Great Stuff Pro Gun Cleaner
  • Great Stuff
Pro
Construction
Adhesive Great Stuff Pro Construction Adhesive
24 Hours Before Starting

Acclimate all panels by storing them flat in the installation location (but away from moisture and direct sunlight or other heat sources) for at least 24 hours.


WARNING:

  • Be sure to obey all safety rules and recommendations set forth by tool manufacturers.
  • Wear safety glasses during the entire installation process.
  • Be sure to follow all applicable building codes.
  • Always comply with clearances set forth by the manufacturer of stoves, fireplaces, furnaces, and any other heat source.

Before You Start

  • Ensure wall is structurally sound and in good condition. Clear away brush and debris.
  • Gather all tools and materials.

How to Determine Installation Workflow

WARNING: Your panels can only be installed one way. Before starting, look at your panels to determine which way they must be installed.

  • Installation will run left to right or right to left depending on the panel style. Orient one of your panels so that the flat lip on the long side (A) is up. If the fingers project to the left, the installation will run left to right. If the fingers are on the right side of the panel, the installation will go right to left.

My installation will flow from the _________ to the _________

HINT: For styles with a straight base, seams should be offset for a more realistic look. Be sure to use slot side and the finger side of each panel in the same installation row

Click Here for Care and Maintenance info.

Directions

Step 1

Prepare Surfaces

Tools:

  • Clean Cloth
  • Tack Cloth

Clean surfaces are required to ensure the panels adhere properly.

  1. Wipe hard surfaces with a wire brush to remove loose debris.
  2. Wipe walls with a tack cloth to remove any dirt or sawdust.

Step 2

Measure and Mark Edges

Tools:

  • Chalk Line/Laser
  • Level
  • Pencil
  1. Measure the width of the wall. A
  2. Subtract the overall width of the installation from the width of the wall. Then subtract the width of the two trim pieces. B
  3. Divide in 1⁄2. C
  4. Measure from the side of the wall and mark the edges of the installation.

Step 3

Install Trim

Tools:

  • Deck Screws
  • Caulk Gun
  • Wood Cutting Saw with Finish Blade
  • Screw Gun/Drill Driver & Driver Bits
  • Loctite® PL® Premium® 3X Construction Adhesive
  • Tape Measure
  • Level
  1. Measure the appropriate length(s) of trim. Miter 45 degree corners on each end piece.
  2. Apply adhesive to the back of the bottom trim.
  3. Set trim piece in place lined up with the borders marked in Step 2. Use a slight twisting motion to ensure good contact and ensure that the trim is level. For adhesive-only installation manually hold the trim in place until the adhesive sets. Ensure trim piece is plumb and level.
  4. Fasten the trim to the wall by toe-screwing a screw every 16 inches or as needed. Slightly recess the screws but do not over tighten. It is not necessary for the screws to hit a stud.

Step 4a

Trim First Panel(s)

Tools:

  • Tape Measure
  • Wood Cutting Saw with Finish Blade
  • Pencil
  • T-square

For all panels except Carolina, Carlton, River Rock, Anson, Herringbone and Chevron:

Turn the panel over on a soft surface and mark your cut at least ¼ of the way into the width of the panel. You will install the slot side of the panel first then use the finger side of the panel to complete the row.

Step 4b

For Carolina, Carlton, River Rock and Anson:

NOTE: These styles will not have staggered seams.

  1. Determine the number of panels needed to run the first row.
  2. Trim the bottom off of each panel so that they will sit flush.
  3. Trim the fingers off the first panel

Step 4c

For Herrignbone and Chevron (vertical installation):

  1. Determine the number of panels needed for the first row.
  2. Carefully mark and trim each panel in half.

NOTE: You want these cuts to be precise because they impact the way the planks/bricks line up when installed.

Step 5

Install First Row of Panels

Tools:

  • Level
  • Caulk Gun
  • Loctite PL 3x
  • Tack Cloth
  • Great Stuff Applicator Gun
  • Great Stuff ProTM Construction Adhesive
  • Disposable Gloves

Each row will start with the slot side of the panel and end with the finger side of the same panel. Depending on the width of the installation there may be uncut panels in between. Begin installing the panels, starting with the slot side of the panel that was cut in Step 5.

Apply Adhesive

Wipe the back of the panel with a tack cloth to remove debris.

Adhesive and Fastener Installation:

Turn the panel over on a soft surface and apply beads of Loctite PL 3X adhesive to the back of the panel in vertical lines spaced no more than 3” apart. Also add a dab of adhesive to the back of each finger.

Adhesive-only Installation:

Wearing gloves and following the instructions on the Great Stuff ProTM Construction Adhesive canister, turn the panel over and apply beads of Great Stuff ProTM Construction Adhesive to the panel in vertical lines starting 2” from the edge and in 6” increments along the interior of the panel and a dab on the back of each panel finger. When applying to metal buildings ensure that the adhesive beads align with any embossed patterns in the cladding.

Adhere Panel to Wall

  1. Use a slight twisting motion to ensure good contact.
  2. Ensure the panel is level and plumb with the edge line drawn in Step 2.

Step 6

Screw Panel to Wall

Tools:

  • Deck Screws
  • Screw Gun / Drill Driver & Driver Bits
NOTE: Skip this step if installing with adhesive only method.

Place (1) screw per foot along the perimeter and (1) screw per square foot in the middle of the panel. Screws should be slightly recessed. Place screws under protruding rocks or in grout lines to make them less noticeable.

Do NOT over tighten screws.

Step 7

Add Adhesive and Caulk

Tools:

  • Clean Cloth
  • Caulk Gun
  • Color Coordinating Textured Caulk
  • Loctite PL 3x
  1. Add adhesive to the lip of the panel about 1” from the face.
  2. Also apply a bead of textured caulk where the face meets the panel. Caulk must be added during this step. Adding caulk later will result in a less realistic appearance.
  3. Use a damp cloth to remove any excess adhesive or caulk before it dries.

Step 8

Finish First Row

Use the finger portion of the panel cut in Step 4 to finish the row.

  • For styles without staggered seams, trim the final panel to the desired width

Step 9

Repeat Steps 6-9 until the Headboard/ Focal Wall Reaches the Desired Height

Step 10

Measure & Cut Finishing Trim

Tools:

  • Tape Measure
  • Wood Cutting Saw with Finish Blade

Measure, cut and miter the trim needed to finish the sides and the top.

NOTE – Most trim pieces are routed in the back so that when necessary, they overlap the lip of the panel. Cut the trim so that the routed part faces in and the solid part faces out, to avoid visible gaps between the trim and the wall.

Step 11

Install Finishing Trim

Tools:

  • Deck Screws
  • Screw Gun/Drill Driver & Driver Bits
  • Caulk Gun
  • Level
  • Loctite® PL® Premium® 3X Construction Adhesive
  1. Apply adhesive to the back of the trim.
  2. Fasten the trim to the wall by toe-screwing a screw every 16” or as needed. Slightly recess the screws but do not over tighten. It is not necessary for screws to hit a stud.
ADHESIVE-ONLY INSTALLATION OVER CONCRETE, MASONRY OR METAL

Wearing gloves and following the instructions on the Great Stuff Adhesive canister, apply two beads of the Great Stuff Adhesive to the back of the trim.

Tools:
  • Great Stuff Applicator Gun
  • Great Stuff ProTM Construction Adhesive
  • Disposable Gloves

Step 12

Touch-Up As Needed

Tools:

  • Water
  • Touch-up Kit
  • Paint Brush
  • Clean Cloth
  • Cotton Swabs
  • Caulk Gun
  • Color Coordinating Textured Caulk
  1. Add a bead of caulk to seal any mitered joints.
  2. Add caulk to fill in voids, gaps and holes from screw heads. Carefully blend before it dries.
  3. If your touch-up kit contains a base coat, use a cotton swab to apply a light layer of the base coat and allow it to dry completely (about 30 minutes).
  4. Using a paint brush, apply the appropriate paint then dab with a soft cloth to blend and allow to dry completely (about 30 minutes).
  5. If your touch-up kit contains a wash, apply the wash using a paint brush and dab with a soft cloth to blend. If the bottle is labeled “wash concentrate” add tap water to the neck of the bottle, screw the lid back on and shake to mix before using.
TIPS
  • If you need to mix colors to achieve the desired shade, we recommend doing so on a piece of scrap material.
  • Paint can be thinned by adding water.
  • Start with lighter colors.