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If you ’re a fan of modern farmhouse style or only watch out a lot of decorating shows on TV , you ’re undoubtedly aware of the resurgence of wall pane . Unlike the dark and dreary spirit of the 1960s and ‘ 70s — big sheet of plywood with a laminate surface — today ’s paneling is often painted white and is typically literal woodwind , or at least woods veneer , for a more instinctive effect . And instead of the vertical floor - to - ceiling paneling that was ubiquitous way back when , these days paneling is more commonly installed horizontally .

Two varieties of paneling that have been especially popular in late year areshiplapand spit and groove . While they share similarities , each has decided characteristics . Read on to check what separates shiplap from tongue and vallecula so you’re able to pluck the panelling that ’s advantageously suit to your home ’s elan and your needs .

Photo of a recently renovated modern bathroom with shiplap walls and natural wood cabinetry in a family home.

Photo: SDI Productions / Getty Images

Differences Between Shiplap and Tongue and Groove Panels

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Once installed , shiplap and tongue and groove can take care very like . But if you examine the planks before installment , you ’ll spot the big departure between them right away .

Each boundary of a shiplap board has a small L - shaped nick ( or rebate ) running down its full length . The snick allow each plank to lap over the notch in the adjacent plank . During installation , these notches tally together like little steps , forming what is call a rabbet join . Often , shiplap planks have a “ vanadium ” groove , a soft cant along the edge , pass on the appearance of a slight valley between planks in the finished shiplap paries paneling .

Tongue and channel planks , in contrast , have a diminished projection stick out of the kernel of one edge and a corresponding indentation along the other boundary . During installation , the glossa of one board fits into the groove of its neighbor . Like shiplap , tongue and groove planks are uncommitted beveled along the lengthwise edge ( 5 - vallecula ) or unbeveled ( known as flush joint or square edge ) , ensue in a somewhat tighter visual aspect than shiplap . It ’s this cosy fit and unlined look that make spit and groove the industry stock forhardwood flooring .

Side-view images of shiplap (top) and tongue and groove (bottom) boards on a white background.

Photos: The Home Depot | Design: Bob Vila Staff

Materials

Most shiplap and clapper and channel planks are Natalie Wood . If you design topaint the finished paneling , you ’ll salve money by using cheap pine plank or MDF , both of which are available prime . If you ’re on a really soused budget , you could even use plywood . But if you plan to leave the paneling unpainted , you may be happier with a more attractive ( and pricier ) type of wood , such as oak or cedar .

You ’ll also find shiplap and tongue and groove plank made from fiber cement , vinyl group , and even metal , although these are most often used for exterior railroad siding rather than for cosmetic treatments .

Cost

The cost of installing either shiplap or tongue and groove varies greatly look on the fabric , way size of it , the area you live in , and whether you ’re planning to do the job yourself . Even so , you may typically wait to pay up more for glossa and groove pane than for shiplap . Including installation , expect knife and vallecula to be about 50 percent more than shiplap .

Shiplap plank : $ 2.50 to $ 7 and up per straight invertebrate foot

Shiplap with professional induction ( 200 sq . ft . room ): $ 1,000 to $ 1,700

Shiplap vs. Tongue and Groove on a Home Exterior

Photo: istockphoto.com

lingua and channel boards : $ 2.50 to $ 8 and up per straight foot

Tongue and vallecula with professional installation ( 200 sq . ft . room ): $ 1,400 to $ 2,200

Installation

As a general rule , it ’s a little easier toinstall shiplap panelingthan tongue and groove pane because you do n’t need to agree the plank together . alternatively , you plainly match the nick on neighboring boards and then pound a nail direct through the overlap . instal tongue and grooverequires more precise nailing , as you ’ll need to hammer the nail through the planks ’ “ tongues ” for good results .

Durability

While both shiplap and lingua and groove can be used indoors or out , it ’s important to take climate conditions into chronicle before selecting one of these paneling styles for the exterior of your house , backyard shed , or garage . As a general pattern , shiplap is the dependable selection for a very showery clime , as its overlapping planks shed water quite well . natural language and rut , on the other hand , can deteriorate in wet climates if water gets immobilize inside the interlace connections .

Shiplap is also the superior choice if you exist in a in high spirits - warmth , low-down - humidity climate , where the juiceless air incline to encourage slight shrinking of wood . This can lead to gaps between the tongue and rut board but is n’t likely to show in shiplap ’s overlap connexion . If cold weather is an upshot where you live , note that tongue and vallecula has more or less better insulating power than shiplap .

Tongue and groove , however , may have the sharpness in indoor enduringness . Drew Mansur , director ofTileCloud , a roofing tile and renovation shop in Rosebery , New South Wales , Australia , tell “ The interlock design of natural language - and - groove be given to make it more lasting and insubordinate to shifting or heave over fourth dimension . ” Mansur , who has years of experience in home renovation , adds , “ While shiplap will still hold up well , it will be more susceptible to take shape gaps if the stuff shifts . ”

A grey-haired man is installing paneling on the wall with a hammer.

Photo: Depositphotos

Best Uses for Shiplap and Tongue and Groove Paneling

Both shiplap and tongue and groove panelling have beentrending decorative finishesin recent long time , especially in modern farmhouse , cottage , coastal , and rustic interiors . While they ’re often used to panel entire walls , particularly in the kitchen or john , either elan can be used for an accent paries or even a backsplash or fireplace surround .

Another option is to panel only the grim dowery of the walls , as withwainscoting . If you really love the forward-looking farmhouse or coastal decorating stylus , you might even choose to apply shiplap or tongue and groove on the cap . In fact , lingua and rut is a classic ceiling choice for porches .

If you ’re set up wood paneling in a toilet , do n’t install it where it can come in direct contact with pee ( say , in a exhibitioner enclosure ) , verify the paneling is properly seal , and take precaution to command can humidity . fend off using MDF shiplap or tongue and groove boards in the bathroom , as MDF can intumesce or warp when exposed to moisture .

Shiplap vs. Tongue and Groove: Which Wall Paneling is Right for Your Project?

Photo: istockphoto.com

Final Thoughts

While shiplap and tongue and rut have been very pop in late years , there are in reality many otherwall paneling styles , including beadboard and board and batten , as well as variations on shiplap , such as nickel opening , which has thin blank space between adjoining gameboard . As internal clothes designer Danielle Perdue , founding father of design firmDK Homein Westport , Connecticut , notes , “ Grant Wood pane is extremely versatile and can be customized . For example , you may prefer a narrower board with little gaps in between to make a more modern flavour … . Reeded or fluted panels have also become extremely pop and add that touch of mundaneness . ”

If you ’re worried about committing to shiplap or tongue and vallecula panelling , Perdue says , “ I do n’t think shiplap or tongue and groove paneling will ever go out of vogue . It ’s but too good and , in my sentiment , timeless . ” That state , if you already have empanel paries and are set about to tyre of the look , she recommend updating them with paint : “ Have fun with a tonic of colour or go with a in high spirits gloss for maximal impact . ”

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