How Much Does It Cost to Install Wall Paneling? [2025 Data]
The cost to install wall paneling ranges from $3,000 to $4,500, with an average of $3,600, depending on the type of panel materials you choose.
The cost to install wall paneling averages $3,600 for a 12-by-12-foot room, but it can range from as little as $1,000 to as high as $15,000 depending on the room’s size and panel materials.
Adding paneling to your walls can elevate your home's interior design with texture and sophistication. There are many wall paneling ideas to choose from, whether you love the minimalist look of flat paneling or prefer something more ornate, like a raised panel with a custom design. Learn more about wall panel installation cost based on factors like style, material, and whether you hire a pro to do it.
How Much Does It Cost to Add Wall Paneling per Square Foot?
| Wall Area (Square Feet) | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| 100 | $100–$4,000 |
| 200 | $200–$8,000 |
| 400 | $400–$16,000 |
| 600 | $600–$24,000 |
Wall paneling is typically priced per square foot. The average cost to add wall paneling is around $20 per square foot, but it ranges from $1 to $40 per square foot, depending on the style.
How Much Does It Cost to Add Wall Paneling by Style?
There are several types of wall paneling, and the style you choose will be the primary determining cost factor. For example, shiplap is a more budget-friendly material, while decorative overlays or raised panels cost significantly more per square foot.
The table below includes typical pricing for different kinds of wall paneling to help you figure out which kinds are likely to fit into your budget.
| Type of Wall Paneling | Average Cost Per Square Foot |
|---|---|
| Bead board | $7–$20 |
| Board and batten | $7–$20 |
| Flat panel | $7–$10 |
| Raised panels | $10–$30 |
| Shiplap | $1–$30 |
| Wainscoting | $1–$10 |
| Overlay | $10–$40 |
You’ll also need to consider the type of material that goes into the production of your paneling. Panels made from materials with a lower production cost and durability, like medium density fiber (MDF) board are likely going to sit toward the lower end of the price range, while hardwood and especially more desirable exotic wood species are going to climb toward that $40 per square foot price tag.
Beadboard
Beadboard paneling comprises vertical wood planks separated by small grooves or indentations between each plank. Beadboard ranges from $7 to $20 per square foot. You can use beadboard to create wainscoting, or you can run the beadboard paneling from floor to ceiling.
Board and Batten
Board-and-batten panels are composed of vertical molding pieces affixed to the seams of large, flat panel boards. This paneling type usually costs around $7 to $20 per square foot, and the labor to measure and get everything set correctly makes up for a good portion of this price.
Flat Panel
Flat paneling is among the least expensive paneling types at around $7 to $10 per square foot. Flat panels feature a modern design free of ornamentation, contributing to a sleek, streamlined look. Flat paneling used to be much more popular in the 1950s and 60s, and although it has fallen out of favor to some extent, you can still achieve a clean, modern look with this style.
Overlay
Overlays are decorative moldings you can add to an existing wall panel to dress it up with a fun texture or design. Overlays usually cost around $10 to $40 per square foot. They’re the most expensive type of paneling, but also the most ornate.
Raised
Raised panels feature a beveled middle panel, usually a square or rectangle, set within a larger panel. Raised panels cost around $10 to $30 per square foot.
Shiplap
Shiplap walls feature a series of panels—usually oriented horizontally but sometimes vertically—that add texture to a wall. Shiplap panels usually cost around $1 to $7 per square foot, although that price can climb higher if you choose a unique hardwood board.
Wainscoting
Wainscoting is a combination of different panel types and styles, sometimes with a beadboard back and horizontal runs on the top and bottom. Another popular style is to include large, flat panels, with rectangular shapes made from trim to create depth and intrigue. Wainscoting usually covers only the lower half of a wall. Expect to pay between $1 and $10 per square foot for this style of paneling.
Carpenter Costs
The cost to hire a carpenter averages between $75 and $125 per hour. Because installing wall paneling can involve covering a large amount of wall-space square footage in a relatively short time, an hourly rate can translate to as little as between $0.25 and $3 per square foot. However, additional costs for prep, trim work, and finishing will also apply to your project.
Hiring a carpenter for your wall paneling installation has several benefits. A professional carpenter's reputation relies on excellent preparation skills, installation proficiency, and a beautiful finish.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
Installing wall paneling is a job to consider DIYing, as the process is usually fairly straightforward. Armed with the right tools and some woodworking experience, you shouldn’t have much trouble with the following types of paneling:
Beadboard
Flat panels
Pre-cut raised panels
Shiplap
However, the other styles require some precise measuring and cutting, which can make it difficult to achieve a professional appearance. We recommend considering hiring a carpentry service near you to get the job done correctly.
If you do tackle the job yourself, you’ll likely save somewhere between $100 and $300 on the labor costs for a standard-size room. Since labor makes up a small portion of the cost to install wall paneling, you may want to go with an expert from the get-go to avoid any issues or mistakes.
How to Save On Wall Panel Installation Costs
Installing wood paneling in your home can represent a significant investment. However, there are several ways to control costs to help meet your remodeling or renovation budget.
If your installer is working on a time and materials basis, clear out the room and access channels before the day of installation. Doing so will reduce the amount of time not spent on paneling installation, potentially reducing your cost.
Consider painting or finishing your paneling installation as a DIY project.
If you plan to paint your new paneling, you can get away with using less-expensive options than premium wood panel selections.
Does Wall Paneling Increase a Home’s Value?
Installing wall paneling in your home won't increase the value of the house. However, a tasteful and beautiful installation can boost your home's appeal to buyers. On the other hand, a poor installation or one that doesn't appeal to the wider real estate market can be a turn-off for buyers.
The current trend is to avoid dark, overbearing installations. Remember that trends come and go, so choosing a time-tested, classic design, such as beadboard, shiplap, board and batten, or a coffered style, is the safest bet over any trendy or flashy selections if your intention is to appeal to a future home buyer.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to costquotes@angi.com. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can paint most wall panels. In fact, many wall panels come unfinished, meaning you can stain or paint them in any color you choose. Unfinished wall panels are usually less expensive than finished panels, although you should consider the time it will take you to finish them yourself when deciding if the monetary savings are worth it. You can save some money on the labor of finishing your panels if you go the DIY route, though.
If your wall panel already has a stain or paint color on it, you can often paint over it as well. You'll just want to make sure you properly treat the area before painting.
Wall panels offer functional and aesthetic benefits. From a practical standpoint, panels can improve your home's insulation and energy efficiency, especially if you opt for solid wood panels. They can also help protect your existing wall.
Aesthetically, wall panels have a knack for adding dynamic texture, warmth, and sophistication to a room. And thanks to their many different shapes, sizes, and styles, wall panels can elevate a wide variety of home designs.
Finally, it’s relatively easy to cover wall panels, so you have some flexibility if you end up not liking the look over time.
Removing existing wall panels usually costs between $0.60 to $1.15 per square foot, depending on the complexity of the panels and installation. Removing wall paneling is a pretty straightforward task, so if you have the time and the tools, you can consider doing the work yourself. If you want to add new panels in their place, you might need to install new drywall, which costs around $1.60 to $2.35 per square foot. If you’re not keen on the look of paneling, you can install drywall over paneling and just finish the drywall instead.
