Wall cladding around a fireplace
There are plenty of homeowners out there who are living with facebrick walls, especially with a fitted fireplace, that hate the look. While we have previously look at painting a facebrick wall, another option to consider is cladding the wall.
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While painting a facebrick wall is an affordable option for covering up brick that is dark, there are times when the design is so old fashioned that painting won't hide the look. If this is the case, you can look at cladding a wall with panelling.
How to clad a facebrick wall
1. Pop into your local Builders Warehouse for PAR pine planks. These come in various widths and lengths (up to 2.4 metres long), and you will need a 20 x 60mm PAR pine plank for a long wall. If your ceiling is higher than 2.4 metres, you can easily cut extra lengths to fill in the gap.
2. The planks are attached to the wall using nylon wall plugs and screws. Note that I mention nylon - and not plastic - wall plugs. You will need Fischer UX6 (6 x 30) wall plugs and 60mm long screws. Remember that the drill hole needs to be longer than the wall plug. e.g. 40mm
3. Measure and mark the placement for the screws on the wall, and on the planks.
4. Use a 6mm masonry bit to drill out all the holes and nsert the wall plugs. Position the planks against the wall to drive in the screws to mount the planks.
GOOD TO KNOW
If you are framing a fireplace, allow for a horizontal crossbeam above the fireplace.
5. MDF offers the easiest option for a decorative wall cladding. Measure up the width of the wall and have a sheet of 12mm MDF cut into 12cm-wide strips.
6.Use a router to cut a 45-degree finish on both edges of the board. Sand with 180- or 240-grit sandpaper.
GOOD TO KNOW
You have the option to paint the boards before or after installation. Leaving until after allows you to do any touch ups after installation.
7. If you have a nail gun installation is quick and easy, alternatively use panel pins and a hammer. Use a nail punch to ensure that the head of the pin in below the surface of the wood. For a small wall you can use No More Nails adhesive and a caulking gun to attach the panels to the planks.
8. Fill any holes with wood filler; allow to dry and then sand smooth.
9. Finish off the installation with a pine, supawood or extruded polystyrene cornice or crown moulding around the top and fireplace.
Painting
Apply a primer to the boards to increase adhesive and bonding of the subsequent paint layer. Use a quality paint such as Plascon Double Velvet or Wall & All, that is washable and won't yellow over time.
