My wife and I, like most all old home owners, are fans of a lot of the restoration themed DIY shows these days. Rehab Addict, Restored, and, of course, Fixer Upper.
Their designs and passion to keep original elements of old houses is so rare in the renovation game that I can’t help but root for them to succeed. I miss the show already!
One of my favorite shows is definitely Fixer Upper. Partly because I’m from Texas, and partly because Joanna and Chip are such a trip to watch. They even have a book, The Magnolia Story, telling all about their story. Her designs are almost always stunning, but she does have a real addiction to what she calls “shiplap.”
The only problem is that rarely is the wood she calls shiplap actually shiplap! Not that you can tell on the television screen. I’ve noticed my clients recently asking about shiplap, if their house has it, or can they incorporate it somehow. And I always have to ask “Do you watch Fixer Upper?”
If the answer comes back yes (which it usually does) then my next question is usually, “Do you want actual shiplap or do you just want wood paneling?” This query often brings a cock of the head and a quizzical look. “Aren’t they the same?”
Don’t get me wrong, Joanna, I love your show and really don’t think you need to change a thing. You do enough for historic preservation that all of us in the field should be grateful.
I don’t actually think that you aren’t aware of what shiplap is. I think it’s more of a generalization that is happening much like a lot of people do. Much like a lot of folks call any sparkling white wine champagne when it’s not really champagne unless it’s French.
That may sound snooty, but it’s not my intention. I just want to make sure people know what shiplap actually is and what it isn’t.
What is NOT Shiplap?
It’s Not Sheathing
This is usually what Joanna calls shiplap and where I start to yell at the TV.
It is not plain wooden boards nailed on a wall. Often in old houses, these boards can be found on the exterior of the framing just beneath the siding.
Today, we frame a house and then install plywood sheathing to tighten the frame and help square everything up prior to putting on the siding and interior wall coverings. In the days before plywood, we used 1×6 or 1×8 boards, sometimes installed on a diagonal or horizontally as both sheathing and subfloor.
These boards can be salvaged and reused as paneling or other creative design uses since they can add a lot of rich character, but they are not shiplap. They’re just plain old wood boards.
It’s Not Tongue & Groove
Sadly, it’s not this one either. Tongue and groove boards are used in all different places in old homes and most of us have heard the phrase at one time or another. Flooring is of course the most common tongue and groove you’ll encounter, but there is a lot of siding that is tongue and groove as well.
Tongue and groove (or T&G) is just what it sounds like. One side of the board has a groove and the other side has a tongue. When they are installed side by side, they fit together nice and snug, which strengthens the floor or siding.
What Is Shiplap?
Shiplap is a 1x board that has a special rabbet or notch cut on the edges of the board in an alternating fashion. These rabbets allow the boards, when installed horizontally, to self-space themselves and keep water from getting behind them because they fit so perfectly.
Shiplap is mostly found in siding designs because of the need for consistent spacing and water tightness, but it can be found in other places. The lapped joint is one of the simplest you can use to accomplish the spacing and prevent water intrusion, which is why shiplap was and is so popular.
Once installed, shiplap can look just like regular wood boards because the rabbets are hidden, so yes, it can be hard to tell it apart from regular sheathing boards to even a trained eye, but it is different.
There are various profiles of siding available in shiplap too. Sometimes it’s just flat shiplap boards and other times you can find profiles like Novelty Drop, Dolly Varden, or the poorly named but still attractive #117 lap siding.
For the purist, shiplap is the original flat profile with a rabbet on top and bottom. Chip explains it in the video below so we know they are on the level about shiplap even if a few random styles get thrown in with all that Texas shiplap.
As long as she doesn’t start proclaiming that they come from the shiplap tree, I’m still a fan.
If you are having trouble finding the real stuff in your area, you can easily make your own shiplap with this quick tutorial. If you’re one of the lucky ones to have true shiplap in your house and you just need help repairing it, read my post The 7 Best Products to Patch Wood.
Designing With Shiplap
There are so many ways to incorporate shiplap into your home projects and almost all of them are attractive. Whether you use weathered natural wood or want a more clean painted look, a wood covered wall makes any room feel warmer.
Here are some of my favorite designs using shiplap from Houzz to give you a little inspiration for your home.
Pittsboro Residence Farmhouse Entry
Bastrop County Plantation House Farmhouse Bedroom
Founder & Editor-in-Chief
I love old houses, working with my hands, and teaching others the excitment of doing it yourself! Everything is teachable if you only give it the chance.
thanks for the article, scott.
i own a foursquare in the northeast. she has her belly band, but the hem (?, same as belly band, but at the bottom) wasn’t installed by previous owners, so there’s no water table trim! (of course, the house also has lath & plaster walls – so much fun finding studs.)
at some point i’d like to put up new siding and i love board and batten, but the cove/dutch lap style of shiplap is so lovely. would either of these sidings be a suitable style for my home and will the belly band and water table trims work with either shiplap or b&b? too many similar foursquares in our neighborhood, so i’m looking for something different (not vinyl siding).
Thank you. ~K
I have an 8 foot long wall that I want to cover in shiplap style (don’t care about whether it’s real shiplap or not). Both ends of the wall wrap back (outside corners). Two questions: #1: Would you suggest doing all of the boards the same length, or doing staggered lengths to create irregular seams throughout the wall? #2: How would you finish the wall ends (L moulding or)?
Thanks for the info!
I would do staggered lengths and for outside corners a more finished look would be mitering the corners and a more rustic look would be simple butt joints. Personal preference.
Although I thought I knew what true shiplap was, no one was explaining it in detail. Thank you for that. I saw Joanna quit the show, so no more shiplap confusion or Fixer Upper.
Joanna quitting the show was Fake News. But I did see this week that the Gaines are together going to no longer do the show after this new season. They want to move forward with their family and other businesses.
Someone further up in this post mentioned that what Joanna is calling shiplap is truly shiplap with the tongue and lap.
I just acquired a used shed. I was going to install beveled siding but I can’t bear the thought of spending $400 on a free shed. I do have lots and lots of 1×6 Boards of various links and thought about trying to cut a beveled board from those, I haven’t figured out how to do it with either a table saw or even the band saw . the Band Saw tended to bog down and wander when I tried to cut it. So I’m thinking of taking my 1×6″s and doing shiplap but instead of doing it horizontal, is it okay to install exterior shiplap in a vertical orientation? If so, are there best practices or information I might need to know? Do I need to install tar paper or some other sheathing? What about batten’s or something to nail to? The existing shed has flat panels and the shed itself is 8 foot by 8 foot thanks
If you do it vertical then board and batten would be a better choice. You’d need to install horizontal nailers underneath first.
Great article and synopsis of what we have been telling our clients for the last couple years-I’m just going to link to this blog post from now on! We created a product tailored made for the fixxer upper/shiplap lover:
Sounds interesting but your link won’t come up on my phone. Says it’s no secure. Maybe the web designer can help you.
Hi Scott, just took down wood panelling in my basement. Since the walls I’m looking to do the ship lap look on are interior, do I need to worry about anything behind the boards or can I just install right over what’s there?
I used plywood boards. Are the sides supposed to be painted or do we only paint the fronts? Thank you!!
If using 1/2 ” 1×6 pine with a spacer, is it necessary to paint the wall behind to get the distinct line in the “ship lap” look?
I have heard some people paint the wall gray or black, and then apply the pine horizontally with spacer to get the line to ‘pop’… they claim that if applied to a white wall, that you won’t see the lines.
Any thoughts?
Thanks!
AP
Great article! Hoping you had a suggestion on a similar project I’m doing. We moved into a house with an ugly accent wall in the master bedroom, wanted to go over it with T&G or something similar. There are a couple electrical outlets in the wall. Do I need to do anything to bring those outlets forward to be flush with the paneling? Or can I just simply cut around them and leave as-is? Thoughts?
Can’t we just make shiplap go away??
Enough already!
Egad and amen!!!!
Okay, after we get the ceiling done, LOL!
Thinking of applying it in part of a bathroom over drywall. What do you do about your door and window jams after you install it?
Glen, you’ll have to remove the casing and then add an extension jamb to maintain the same look. Do a quick search for extension jamb and you’ll find some good tutorials.
Is there a way to add an extension that will fit around the hinges (door swings inward), and will the door typically still open all the way with an extension there? Ill search for some videos. Thanks.
We just bought a house with some really ugly wallpaper. Would like to do wainscoting with chair rail and paint. Can I do all that over the old wallpaper or does it have to be all stripped off?
Go right over it
You can paint over it but any flaws in the wallpaper like bad seems will show in the paint finish. After painting, the wallpaper is sealed and much more difficult to remove. A spray bottle of water or a steamer will remove the paper and with hopefully minor patching, you have a fresh surface to work with. How do you want it to look?
Please don’t paint over wall paper. Scott said go ahead No if u do u will activate the glue n u will get bubbles or lifting The seams so really badly n u r making ur job later if u every want to remove ur paper. If u put water on it to remove it it acts just like paint They use plain water or a solution to remove it. Scott doesn’t no what he’s talking abt. I’ve wallpapered for over 40 years. I no everything abt it. I’ve hung all types of paper including silk. Please take time to remove N if they prep walls before hanging it’s a breeze.
This is more of a question than a comment; hopefully you can help. I am replacing a window in our master bedroom. I have to take out some sheet rock to do it, and I hate sheet rocking. Figuring I could take the sheet rock down and re-insulate while I am at it. Again, hate sheet rocking, so I told wife we could do “real” shiplap on this wall. Exterior wall of house, shiplap to be on interior side. Can I just put the shiplap right to the studs, or do I need to have something behind it??
Any help appreciated.
You can install right on the studs as long as the boards are 3/4″ thick. Thinner boards don’t meet the fire blocking standards we have today in most places.
Don’t forget a vapor barrier on the inside.
Hi! We just bought a 1940’s house in Louisiana. We pulled the head board off that covered the walls in the living and dining room. Behind it was wall paper and yay behind that was “shiplap”!! My question isn’t whether it really is or isn’t but however how much work do I have to do before we paint?!?!? The wallpaper came down very easily but there are Thousands of tacks and nails in the shiplap and millions of whispy strings of cheese cloth around them. We literally worked 8 hours getting the majority of it off ONE wall. 1st question is if we are going to paint them, do most people leave some tacks/nails in and just paint over it?
(2nd) Obviously you couldn’t paint it with a roller but would you recommend painting it with a sprayer?
I saw your post about priming with oil based and then latex on top so we will be doing that.
The amount of prep depends on the final look you want so it’s completely up to you except to make sure the surface is clean of dust and debris which could keep the paint from adhering. A sprayer would work well as long as you are comfortable using it. Brushes usually looks better than rolling but both can look just fine.
Karen, I too have a house from that era in Louisiana. I’m also interested in painting the shiplap walls in one room. I’ve removed the cheesecloth strings, but not sure about all the nails, and surface prep (gaps, sanding, primer, etc). Will you follow up with what you did and any lessons learned?
Thanks Scott, for explaining this difference.
It always baffled me to see the extensive amounts of shiplap being found in just one place, Waco, TX and made me wonder whether it was all just there :).
I am an amateur on the reno front and I am looking to remodel bathrooms for my townhome in NJ.
I am skeptical about wood in bathrooms given all the moisture due to showers. Does this material choice come with its maintenance to dos? Are shiplap boards required to be either painted or sealed?
Is there a difference when installing it for cosmetic purposes indoors Vs how it was originally intended to be used.
Does the climate of north-east NJ area require any special considerations?
Any painted surfaces in high moisture rooms are more prone to peeling paint but other than that there isn’t an issue. Installing for cosmetic purposes is very easy and you really only have to worry about appearance.
I have actual shiplap in my bathroom. The master bedroom/bathroom/closet and living area were added on by the previous owners. I remodeled the bathroom/closet into one large bathroom, during the reno I opened up the orininal exterior window and shiplap siding. I painted it white (it was white from its former life as an exterior) and I have had no problems. It has been about 10 years now.
I was looking for real shiplap on Lowes website since we have a Lowes in Livingston. Guess what they call shiplap….105 siding. I put “shiplap in the search and up came 105 siding. I tried 105 boards and got nothing. With #117, Igot fasteners.
Thanks for this article. Every time Joanna says “shiplap” I cringe. Love their show and them, but when I had a house built in the early 80’s my carpenter drove for miles to another state to get spruce boards about 10in. wide. He installed these diagonally on the garage walls. He explained that this was called “shiplap” and that it gave much more support than boards installed vertically or horizontally because any weight from the roof would be distributed along the length of the board which may be 9ft. long rather than a 10in. board installed vertically (giving a 10 in. support)…the 10 in. board installed diagonally could probably give 9-10ft. of support. (easier to understand if I could draw these examples, but I think you get the idea!!)
Ironic to hear your criticism through an explanation that reveals you don’t know what you’re talking about. No, using a diagonal board does not transfer the load diagonally. The direction of the load remains the same in static design. What you get by using a diagonal board is triangulation, which can stiffen the structure but does not increase its ability to handle a load.
So stop cringing, because you’re in no position to do so.
LogicHammer, I don’t think anyone is implying that sheathing carries a vertical load, but to explain complex engineering to the average homeowner might require a bit of simplification in a 500 word blog post. For wonks like you, the load a framing member can carry when stiffened by sheathing (either diagonal of horizontal multiplies exponentially. If you want to go back to reading your engineering manuals please go right ahead but leave the rest of us alone.
With all due respect Mr. Sidler, LogicHammer explained it pretty well in fewer than 50 words. I firmly believe that a real understanding of building physics vs. pandering to ignorance is better for all concerned; both building professionals and the people who rely on their services.
So was just watching the latest episode of Fixer Upper and they were installing shiplap. Granted the stuff they reveal during demo is sheathing the stuff she adds is the real deal. So yes she does the real deal with the rabbets and all. Think an apology might be in order. Just sayin
Ha ha! If she calls me I will deliver the apology personally. 😉
Sure you’re not the teeniest bit envious? I suspect she’s good with what she knows and doesn’t know about shiplap, as are the producers.
Envy free zone here Carson.
You mention in your article that until removed, you can’t really see the difference between sheathing and shiplap, yet you criticize Joanna based off observations prior to removal. Real smart, guy. Just a desperate attempt to namedrop until you appear credible as you explain something unbelievably simple.
LogicHammer I think my credibility might be built on running a multi-million dollar historic restoration company rather than on a single post commenting on Joanna Gaines shiplap tendencies. But I’ll let the readers decide.
Dear Scott,
My contractor told me NOT to use shiplap in our outdoor bathroom in Florida – it does have airconditioning but no fan and wet feet coming from the pool in a small bathroom (around 60 square feet). He says any wood will have moisture problems over time. Is this so? If so, is there a terrific non-wood shiplap that looks just like wood up close?
Wood + water = problems
Hi! I live in Mexico and love shiplap, we are remodeling but it’s hard to find a person that will do shiplap here. Question is regarding your reply above, wood and water means problems, so what about the rain? I understood that shiplap was the way to go in the US coastal cities because of its weather endurance, do I have it wrong? Thanks!
I don’t know where to buy real ship lap in Louisiana. Can you help me on what I should purchase?
Check out Lowes or Home Depot. 🙂