If you have decided that you love shiplap and want it on your walls, you may find that it’s a process that takes some skill. To cut installation costs, you could DIY, but you are going to need more than nails and glue. Be prepared to either invest in some bigger power tools or rent them from your hardware rental store.
Saw
You will need a circular saw or a table saw to cut the shiplap. A hand saw and miter box is not a good idea as it will take you too long to cut and the cuts aren’t precise enough for this job. The power saw of choice also prevents splintering of the shiplap.
Brad Nailer
A brad nailer is pneumatic, quickly nailing the shiplap to the wall quickly and easily. No hammer is necessary because the power behind the brad nailer drives the nails into your wall in a single squeeze the trigger. Use 1 1/2-inch brad nails loaded into the nailer. Drive the nails through the shiplap where the shiplap meets the vertical studs of your wall.
Ruler/Straight Edge
A yard stick is best for this job. You will need to mark off the wall with light pencil marks in straight horizontal lines evenly spaced. These lines act as guides for each plank of shiplap. You can also use this ruler/straight edge tool to mark where the vertical studs are in your wall, placing small “x’s” in pencil where you will need to nail the shiplap boards.
Stud Finder
A stud finder is necessary to locate the vertical stud boards in your walls. Usually, they are spaced about a foot to a foot and a half apart, but until you find two studs, you won’t know for sure. The stud finder looks for the boards behind the wall where your eyes cannot see and your fingers cannot feel.