A timber feature wall can completely change the feel of a room, and installing one is often much simpler than people expect. Most wall panel installations are well within the reach of confident DIYers. Here's a step-by-step look at what's involved.
What You'll Need
Before you begin, gather a few basic tools. You'll need a tape measure, pencil, spirit level, and a fine-tooth saw (circular, jigsaw, or handsaw, depending on the panel). If you're installing with adhesive, have a caulking gun and construction adhesive ready. For screw fixing, you'll need a screwdriver and appropriately sized screws. Wet area installations also require a sealant gun and silicone.
One step that's easy to overlook is acclimatising your panels. Lay them flat in the room where they'll be installed for at least 24 hours (48 hours for Flexo panels) before fixing. This allows the material to adjust to the room's temperature and humidity, helping achieve a cleaner, flatter finish.
Preparing The Wall
Wipe down the wall, remove old screws, nails, or loose paint. The surface needs to be clean, dry, smooth, and stable, whether you're fixing to gyprock, plywood, MDF, brick, or concrete.
Measure and plan your layout before making the first fix. Mark a level reference line, locate any wall studs if you're screw-fixing, and think ahead about where your final panel and trims will finish. Taking a few extra minutes here helps avoid narrow end cuts and ensures the first panel is perfectly straight, because every panel that follows relies on it.
Cutting And Fixing
Mark your cut line with a pencil, then cut slowly using a fine-tooth blade to achieve a clean edge and minimise chipping. For felt-backed slat panels like Acouwood Surround, there's one extra step after cutting: secure the exposed slat ends back through the felt into the backing using screws. This keeps the cut battens firmly in place and prevents them from becoming loose over time.
Before making your final cut, measure the remaining wall space carefully. Planning your last panel in advance helps avoid finishing with an awkward narrow strip and creates a more balanced, professional-looking installation.
Fixing Method: Glue Or Screws
Most wall panel ranges are installed using construction adhesive, applied in a continuous zig-zag pattern before each panel is pressed firmly into place for around 20–30 seconds. Some products can also be screw-fixed, providing additional mechanical support where required. Tongue-and-groove systems, such as Slatwall Pro or StoneDesign panels, simply lock together as each panel is installed, helping maintain consistent alignment as you work.
Not all wall panels join the same way, so always follow the installation method specific to your product. Acouwood Surround panels are designed to be installed with a small, consistent expansion gap between each panel, while tongue-and-groove systems are intended to fit together tightly for a seamless finish. If you're installing on a ceiling, temporary bracing or additional mechanical fixing may also be recommended while the adhesive cures, depending on the product and substrate.
Sealing And Finishing
Acouwood and Flexo are splash-resistant only, fine for living areas and splashbacks, not showers. Slatwall Pro, StoneDesign and Paintable Lite are the ranges built for full wet areas, and even then, sealing is what makes the waterproofing work. Silicone every joint, top, and bottom. Finish exposed edges with trims for a clean look, most ranges have a colour-matched option.
Mistakes To Avoid
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Installing onto a damp or dusty wall, adhesive won't bond
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Skipping the seal on a wet-area install
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Over-applying glue near the edges, causes squeeze-out and staining
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Rushing acclimatisation before fixing
Which Panel For The Job
Choosing the right panel for the space is just as important as installing it correctly. Acouwood is ideal for living rooms, bedrooms, and home offices, where its acoustic felt backing helps soften echo and improve everyday comfort. Slatwall Pro and StoneDesign are purpose-built for bathrooms, laundries, and other wet areas, while Flexo is specifically designed to wrap around curved surfaces such as kitchen islands, reception desks, and feature walls. Outdoor cladding systems are different again, typically installed over battens rather than fixed directly to the wall, so they follow their own installation method.