Design Dilemma? How to Pick Shiplap Width
When considering installing shiplap walls or ceilings, one of the first decisions you'll encounter is choosing between the two most common widths: 5 1/2 inches or 7 1/2 inches. This choice impacts everything from the aesthetic style to material requirements for your project.
Shiplap Widths: 5 1/2 Inch vs 7 1/2 Inch Boards
While shiplap can come in custom widths, the vast majority of boards fall into one of these two standard sizes:
- 5 1/2 inch shiplap
- 7 1/2 inch shiplap
The width choice comes down to visual priorities and room dimensions. Here's an overview of how these two sizes compare:
5 1/2 Inch Shiplap Boards
The narrower 5 1/2 inch shiplap boards are best suited for medium rooms with standard 8 ft ceilings. When installed horizontally, they can draw out the length and width of walls, emphasizing the room's dimensions. However, this width is not ideal for areas with lower ceilings, as it could make an already cramped space feel more closed in.
7 1/2 Inch Shiplap Boards
Meanwhile, 7 1/2 inch wide shiplap pairs nicely with small rooms where you want to cultivate an airier, more minimalist look. The broad boards require fewer individual pieces to cover the same square footage as their narrow counterparts, enhancing visual openness through their wider spans.
Factor Room Size Into Your Shiplap Width Decision
When deciding between widths, consider how the boards will interface with your room's existing footprint and dimensions. Here are tips tailored to room size scenarios:
Designing with Shiplap in Small Rooms
If dealing with a more compact area, the wider 7 1/2 inch shiplap boards can help maintain an illusion of openness. Strategic vertical installation also directs the eye upwards, counteracting low ceilings. This prevents your small space from feeling overly crowded or boxy.
Using Shiplap to Accentuate Medium Room Dimensions
For medium spaces with standard ceiling heights, opt for classic 5 1/2 inch shiplap installed horizontally. This orients the eye along the room's length and width for a dimension-enhancing effect. The narrowly spaced boards also suit classic farmhouse or traditional aesthetics.
Avoiding Visual Clutter in Low Ceilings
Rooms with less than 8 foot ceilings present challenges for the narrower shiplap boards. The 5 1/2 inch size can droop overhead planes even lower. Steer clear of this width when ceiling height is limited to maintain spatial openness and prevent a claustrophobic atmosphere.
Match Shiplap Width to Your Style Vision
While both widths adapt well to coastal and traditional design motifs, they each set a slightly different stylistic tone. Factor intended mood and room purpose into your width selection.
Crafting a Coastal Aesthetic with Shiplap
For beach house inspired spaces, the 5 1/2 inch shiplap boards offer busier, cottage-style patterning. Opt for the 7 1/2 inch width to cultivate more relaxed, airy environments instead. Vertical installation maintains lofty, easygoing spatial flow for vacation style retreats.
Shiplap Width's Role in Traditional Design
In farmhouse or classically styled rooms, consider using 5 1/2 inch shiplap to create lightly textured accent walls. The narrow boards make subtle rustic statements. Meanwhile, the 7 1/2 inch size builds gorgeous paneled statements perfect for old worldinspired lounge areas or dining rooms.
Get Creative with Layout Options
Beyond choosing a width, layout orientation also impacts spatial aesthetics. While horizontal installation calls out a room's linear dimensions, vertical boarding draws the eyes skyward for an airier sensibility. For optimum visual intrigue, consider playing with inventive layouts like herringbone or chevron patterns as well.
Calculate How Width Impacts Shiplap Board Requirements
The width of shiplap boards significantly influences total materials needed for a project. Wider 7 1/2 inch boards cover more surface area per plank. To determine exactly how many boards your walls require:
- Measure total square footage of project area
- Divide by individual board square footage
- The result equals total boards needed
This means fewer individual boards to install and reduced material costs associated with wider plank sizes.
Eco-Friendly Shiplap Alternatives
Traditionally, shiplap utilizes inexpensive softwoods like pine. But environmental sensibilities are broadening material possibilities. For reduced ecological impact, now consider alternatives like:
- FSC-Certified woods
- Reclaimed and recycled plastic or lumber
- Sustainably harvested bamboo
These options minimize your design's carbon footprint without sacrificing aesthetics. Many environmentally-conscious planks now rival classic shiplap's decorative flexibility across various widths.
Enhanced Fire Safety Options for Shiplap Materials
Homes in wildfire prone regions can also benefit from fortified, fire-retardant shiplap. Flame-resistant treatments and materials like:
- Fiber cement
- Mineral wool insulation backers
- Chemically treated fire-rated woods
Offer ignition-resistant enhancements. These sturdier, more durable composites withstand environmental extremes. Their dimensional stability also calls for less frequent maintenance or repairs down the line.
Creative Painting and Finishing Touches
While crisp white shiplap may reign supreme, don't shy away from personalized color or texture play. Factory applied finishes now allow select shiplap planks to arrive pre-primed or pre-painted. Consider opting for daring hues like navy blue, charcoal gray, or sage green for embedded pigments. Distressed textures also add visual dynamism and customizable charm open to imagination.
Simplified Installation Techniques
Gone are the days of meticulously measuring and nail-gunning each individual shiplap board. New techniques like adhering rows with liquid nails or ledger boards streamline application. This enables smoother installations, especially across awkward corners or uneven spans. Such advancements expand project accessibility for DIYers lacking specialized equipment as well.
When navigating between standard 5 1/2 inch and 7 1/2 inch shiplap widths, factor room dimensions, design motifs, and installation considerations into your decision. Calculate required materials accurately based on your width of choice as well. This ensures you craft fully customized rustic environments aligned with your personal style.