Installation guide - Acoustic Slatted Wood wall panels
Aluxo’s Guide to Installing Acoustic Wood Wall Panelling
Slatted wood wall panelling has taken the home interior world by storm this last year. There’s no denying these simple panels of wood create a big impact whether on a wall or on the ceiling. This eye-catching trend offers a luxury addition to any room in the home as well as use in a commercial setting.
Whilst many other interior products usually come with a hefty price tag or have added installation costs, wood panelling has the advantage of being more affordable and also easy to install by any home DIY novice.
Ideal surfaces to fit acoustic wall panels
Our acoustic wall panels are super versatile when it comes to attaching them to walls and ceilings. They can be installed to almost any surface, including:
- Drywall
- Plywood
- Wood
- Brick
- Lath and Plaster
- Cement
Preparing your wall space for installation
To ensure a simple installation process we advise that you prep your underlying material and make sure it is in a good enough condition to withstand the weight of the panels and to ensure they have a decent surface to adhere to.
Check there is no damaged plaster, loose tiles or other uneven surfaces. You will firstly need to repair any issues to the underlying area, this may simply be fixed with a bit of sanding.
Equipment needed
To ensure an easy installation, make sure you have the following tools:
- Tape measure
- Pencil
- Spirit level
- Fine tooth saw
- Sandpaper / Sanding block
- Construction adhesive glue
- Hammer / Rubber Mallet
- Power drill
- Black matt coated 30mm screws
Preparing your panels
Upon delivery of your new acoustic wood panels, they will need to acclimatise to the temperature and humidity of the room they will be installed in. Lay your panels on the floor either strapped together or laid flat in loose sheets for 48 hours before installation.
Ready to install
Firstly, make sure your walls are dry and dust free. If you’re installing your panels in sections rather than fully covering your area then we advise to decorate the area first before adding the panels, this helps to avoid any paint spillage if you were to paint after installation.
Each of our acoustic panels discreetly join to each other, the design and overall appearance helps disguise any joints between each panel section.
Using adhesive construction glue to install
Using construction glue to install the panels to the wall is an easy and straight forward procedure that can be done in a few simple steps:
Step 1: Prep the wall
Remove any nails that may be on the wall, ensure the wall is smooth and dry.
Step 2: Measure the wall
Be sure to measure your walls so you can calculate how many panels you’ll need. To start, calculate the square meterage by multiplying the width by the height of the wall. Make sure to include any doorways, windows and uneven corners. Divide the length of the wall by the width of the panel sheet to see how many panels you’ll need.
Step 3: Install the panels
Use a spirit level to ensure the wall panel is straight. You can trim any panels using a fine-tooth blade and smooth off any rough edges using sanding paper.
Step 4: Glue to the wall
We suggest using a strong construction adhesive glue. Use a caulk gun to apply the adhesive. Apply in a zigzag motion and then carefully press the panel into place on your wall. You can use a rubber mallet to gently tap the panel into the wall.
Step 5: Add screws for extra support
If you’re wanting to ensure your wall panels are super secure or are attaching panels to the ceiling, we recommend using Black matt coated 38mm screws and a power drill, drilled into the felt backing.
How to cut wood wall panels
When installing the acoustic wall panels you’ll no doubt come across a point when you need to cut or trim down the length or even width of your panels. The tool you use to trim the wood will depend on what type of cut you need to make.
Handsaw: Ideal for plug socket or light switch cut-outs.
Sabre saw: Perfect for detail and precision cutting.
Circular saw: Use for roughly cutting a few panels at once.
Installing wall panels around sockets, switches, windows and fixtures
For sockets and switches follow this simple procedure:
- Measure from the skirting board and side wall to the socket.
- Allow for around 1/4 inch all the way round for a perfect fit.
- Pencil the measurements onto the panel and drill holes in the corners.
- Use a hand saw to make the required cuts.
When it comes to panelling around windows and doors, follow the same measurement approach, allowing for a 1/4-inch expansion gap, and finish by sanding down the cut edges.
