Plywood Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) Step by Step This instruction sheet describes the proper methods for installing Murphy decorative wall paneling. This paneling is If studs are over 16" on center, install horizontal butt panels tightly. A 3⁄16” space should be intended for dry interior use only and requires care in furring 16” on center following recommendations provided around windows and doors. handling. in section 8. If you’re paneling over a new wall, check your local building codes to see if you’re 5. Fitting Panels allowed to install paneling 1⁄4” and thicker There is nothing quite like the warmth and • PLYWOOD AND MDF directly to studs without a backing. Paneling beauty of Murphy wall paneling. Appropriate in Put the first panel in place and bring to adjacent thinner than 1⁄4” will require installation of a every setting and harmonious with either wall in the corner allowing 1⁄16” space. Make noncombustible backer over the studs. Exterior traditional or contemporary decor, prefinished sure it is plumb and both left and right panel walls must be insulated and have a 4 mil or paneling has an appeal no other wall covering edges fall on solid stud backing. The panel may greater vapor retarder installed on the living side can match. When you choose Murphy paneling, have to be trimmed to allow the outer edge to of the wall prior to panel installation. 1/8” you can be assured you’ve made a wise choice. fall on the center of a stud for nailing. Also, on Western Vista® and StyleLine® wall paneling Murphy prefinished paneling is suitable for rough walls, or adjoining a fireplace wall, use a should always be installed over a solid normal dry interior use environments. Murphy pencil compass to mark the panel on the inner noncombustible backing such as gypsum prefinished paneling should not be used in edge, then cut on the scribe line to fit around the wallboard. environments where accumulation of grease, obstruction. Before nailing the paneling, paint a smoke, or other surface contaminants will stripe of color to match the paneling groove require frequent cleaning to remove Arrange Panels color on the wall location where the panels will accumulations. If you have chosen real wood veneer or meet. simulated wood grain panels, take a few minutes PLYWOOD to stand the panels side-by-side around the Timber Ridge®, Bedford Village®, McKenzie®, High room. Arrange them to achieve the most 6. Adhesive Application Ridge®, Estate®, Wainscot Paneling pleasing balance of color and grain pattern, then Adhesive application may be used to apply number the back of each panel in sequence. Plywood and 1/8" MDF which requires both MEDIUM DENSITY FIBERBOARD (MDF) adhesive and nails. Western Vista® , StyleLine® • PLYWOOD ¼” OR THICKER Cutting Panels 3. Adhesive may be used to apply paneling directly *MDF is an engineered wood product. Moisture and high • PLYWOOD, PANELBOARD, MDF AND humidity can adversely affect the product. Do not install in to studs or over existing walls as long as the HARDBOARD surface is level, sound and clean. Once the rooms with high humidity such as bathrooms, carports, If measured floor-to-ceiling height is 8’ or less, garages, and other unheated rooms. Do not install on panel is fitted, apply beads of adhesive with a ceilings. 1/8” MDF wall paneling should not be installed over subtract 1⁄2” from this measurement to allow 1⁄4” caulking gun in a continuous strip along the top, masonry and should always be installed over a solid expansion clearance top and bottom. Transfer bottom and both sides of the panel. On noncombustible backing such as gypsum board. Do not use these measurements to panels for cutting. If intermediate studs, apply beads 3” long and 6” 1/8” MDF below ground level. To panel over masonry, you using a handsaw or table saw, mark and cut the should use 1⁄4” plywood wall paneling over a lightweight apart. Over solid backing, apply adhesive in a wood frame or stud wall. DO NOT USE IN panels face up. If using a portable circular saw zigzag pattern between studs. Some MANUFACTURED HOMES. or sabre saw, mark and cut panels face down. supplemental nailing will be necessary to hold Cut-outs for door and window sections, electrical the panel in place until the adhesive sets. Be 1. Conditioning Panels switches and outlets or heat registers require sure to read the adhesive manufacturer’s careful measurements. Many a good paneling Condition panels by placing them in the room to instructions carefully prior to installation, as job has been ruined by inaccurate cutting for be paneled 48 hours prior to installation. Stack instructions may vary. Use a hammer and outlet boxes or heat registers. One method is to the panels on the floor or lean them against a padded wood block (or rubber mallet) to set the mark the outlet box with chalk. Then, place the wall, with spacers between each sheet. This glued panel in position. properly cut panel on the wall and tap at the allows the room air to circulate around each outlet location. This will transfer an image to the panel for proper acclimation. * Use only a latex water based adhesive with MDF back of the panel and indicate the area for All prefinished interior wall paneling is not Paneling. Solvent based adhesive may cause discoloration cutting. A 1⁄4” gap around this area will provide of finishes on MDF paneling. waterproof and should not be stored or room for spacing and adjustment – the faceplate installed in areas subject to moisture or high will cover up the extra space. On an existing humid 7. Nailing Panels wall, adjust the outlet box to meet panel • PLYWOOD AND MDF thickness. Unscrew at the top and bottom, Panel grooves are usually located every 16", 2. Wall Preparation wedge a small paneling scrap at screw allowing nails to be placed in the grooves on • PLYWOOD AND MDF locations, and tighten. standard 16" stud centers. Panel matching Installing paneling over existing true walls colored ringshank nails are recommended. Use requires no preliminary preparation. Sanding 4. Spacing Between Panels 1" nails to apply paneling to studs alone, 11/2” high spots on the wall is generally about all you • MDF nails to apply paneling through a solid backing have to do. In most homes, studs are spaced A 1⁄16” gap between adjacent panels is or plaster. Space nails 6" along panel edges and 16” on center, but 24” centers and other spacing recommended to allow for expansion. Never butt 8" on intermediate studs. Wear eye protection may exist especially in exterior walls. Stud panels tightly. A 3⁄16” space should be provided when nailing. spacing must be determined, since paneling around windows and doors. • MDF must be nailed through the backing into studs or • PLYWOOD MDF panels must be installed using both a furring 16” on center for maximum holding. A 1⁄16” gap between adjacent panels is good quality panel adhesive and nails. Make Measure stud centers and snap vertical chalk recommended to allow for expansion. Never sure the surfaces of the studs or the existing lines along the wall for each stud. walls are sound and clean. Once the panel is fitted, apply adhesive with a caulking gun in a paneling. An eight-foot wood grain panel cut into Consult your local building codes for approved application. continuous strip along the top, bottom and both thirds will wainscot a 12’ wall to a height of 32". Be sure to read the instructions printed on the back of each panel. Do not install MDF direct-to-studs in Mobile Homes. edges of the panel. When applying directly to Apply wainscoting along lower wall by following Do not install MDF paneling in full panel applications in studs (1⁄4" paneling only), apply beads of instructions for paneling installation. Repeat Mobile Homes. adhesive along the entire length of the same steps with the upper wall. Hide the Caution: WESTERN VISTA® paneling must be installed intermediate studs. For installation over existing horizontal seam with a chair rail molding. over a suitable noncombustible backing such as gypsum wallboard. Consult your local walls or gypsum wallboard, generously apply building codes for approved application. Be sure to read the beads of adhesive to the panel in a zigzag 10. Paneling Maintenance instructions printed on the back of each panel. Caution: pattern between studs from top to bottom. Be These products contain a urea formaldehyde resin and may Murphy prefinished paneling is suitable for sure to read the adhesive manufacturer’s release formaldehyde vapors in low concentrations. normal dry interior use environments. Murphy instructions prior to installation. Use a hammer Formaldehyde can be irritating to the eyes and upper prefinished paneling should not be used in respiratory system, especially to susceptible persons such and padded wood block (or rubber mallet) to set environments where accumulation of grease, as those with allergies or respiratory ailments. Use with the glued panel in position. Nail panels using smoke, or other contaminants will require adequate ventilation. Do not use MDF wall paneling in color-matched ringshank paneling nails. Nails mobile homes! If symptoms develop, consult your frequent cleaning to remove accumulations. To should penetrate the studs at least 3⁄4". Space physician. A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) containing remove surface accumulations such as dust, potential physical and health hazard information is available the nails 6" along the panel edges and 12" on wipe with a soft cloth dampened with a furniture on the Murphy Web site at www.murphyplywood.com.com the intermediate studs. Wear eye protection polish containing no waxes or silicones.