Shaker Wall Panelling

The Interior Decor Range includes a fantastic array of products to reinvent your space, including wall mouldings, coving, skirting boards, wall panelling, ceiling rose's and more.

Designed in Belgium and manufactured in Europe, the 50 year old brand are commited to becoming carbon neutral in 2023 and to have a strong positive impact on the environment by 2035.

The high degree of finishing, excellent service and a lifetime product warranty* ensure a worry-free result.

Whether you are interested in contemporary or traditional interiors, there is a range to suit your style.

Purotouch is a high-quality, high-density polyurethane that allows for fine design details and a sharp finish. The material is lightweight, water resistant and cuts just like wood.

Designed in Belgium and manufactured in Europe, the brand are commited to becoming carbon neutral in 2023 and to have a strong positive impact on the environment by 2035.

Currently the products are produced from long life polyurethane, which is not recyclable.  However, all the materials used to trim out the panelling are recyclable.

The manufacturers have conformed to certification no: EN ISO 14001 since 2010, and at that point also invested in a large solar power plant, and a recycling unit. They operate in an environmentally responsible way, and in compliance with all relevant environmental EU legislation.  This reflects in all aspects of the materials and energy management.

Positive Investments

In 2020 the manufacturer spent 800,000 Euros adding to their solar power energy production by filling the acres around the factory with solar panels, which work alongside the solar panels on the factory roof.

Ongoing Commitments

+ Reduce usage of all kinds of waste, and maximise re-use of internal waste.

+ Strive to maximise the use of eco-friendly products and materials.

+ Reduce energy consumption by improving internal work procedures and smart capital expenditure.

Why choose Purotouch over other materials?

Many wooden products are prepared with harmful toxic chemicals, and MDF has known carcinogenic properties.

The plaster industry requires very large quanities of natural resources every year to produce products from.

Easy Installation

The products are lightweight and installed using adhesive making installation easy, simple and quick.

Easy to cut

The material cuts just like wood which means you can cut all the products to the exact sizes that you need onsite.

Ready to paint

The products arrives pre-primed in white, ready for you to paint. Once installed you can either paint the mouldings by hand or with a spray gun.

Water Resistant

The material is water resistant, which means the products can be used in areas with high moisture such as bathrooms or damp areas.

Preperation

When your products arrive, unpack them and lay them out on the floor so you can check you have enough for your project. Store the products and adhesives at room temperature and wait 24 hours before installing

Sand down any obvious imperfections on your wall/surface and wipe down the surface after making sure it is free from dust.

Before you start fitting ensure that the walls are dry and grease free.

Mark Up

Plan out and mark up the location of where you want to fit the moulding/panelling onto the wall using a spirit level.

If you are installing a skirting board, always start with this. Always start your project from the bottom of the wall upwards.

Cutting

The material cuts just like wood, so once you have measured up, simply cut your moulding/panelling with a fresh bladed saw.

Glueing Up

Apply the DecoFix Power adhesive to the rear face of your moulding/panelling making sure to run a bead of adhesive along the length if you are using a moulding or for larger mouldings/panels all around the perimetre and a bead down the center aswell.

Fitting

Line up the moulding/panel against the wall, press firmly and remove any excess glue with a cloth or sponge.

If you are fitting items side by side make sure you are using the correct adhesive - see all adhesive products

*Make sure you leave a 1mm expansion gap around panels.

Finishing

Use the DecoFix Filler to smooth out any joints using a application gun along the joins. Use your finger or a lightly damp sponge to smooth out the filler along the join or seam. If you are using vertical wall panels run the filler along all the vertical seams and use a damp sponge to smooth the filler in an upward direction.

Wait 15 minutes and then gently sand any areas that you think need sanding a little.

Painting

Now your mouldings or panels have been installed you can paint them, either by hand or with a spray gun. We recommend using Myland Wood & Metal paint for the most durable finish.

Once your mouldings or panels have been installed you can paint them, either by hand or with a spray gun.

We recommend using Mylands Wood & Metal Paint which are good for both interior and exterior and come in three different finishes: Matt, Eggshell or Gloss. Extremely durable with a high quality finish in each category, the Wood & Metal paint is unparalleled in terms of its performance: scrubbable, sprayable and durable it is perfect for high traffic areas.

How to Measure for Shaker nos 120 and 121 wall panels

These panels come in two set sizes: panel no: 120 measures 150cm x 50cm and panel no: 121 measures 50cm x 50cm.  Work out the area you wish to panel. This may be the full wall height, or perhaps half height would be preferable for your space, depending on furniture arrangements, as well as the position of any windows and/or doors.

Work out how many of the panels will fit across the space width-wise – remember, you can of course use the no: 120 panel either vertically or horizontally.  If the panels do not fit exactly in the space you have, calculate the number of whole panels you can fit, and then divide the remaining space on the wall by the number of panels + 1.  For example a wall of 2.4m in width could accommodate 4 panels (positioned vertically) with 40cm remaining.  Then divide 40cm by 5 to find the size of the gap you should leave between each panel = 8cm.

A popular design is to position the long rectangular panels (no: 120) vertically, with smaller square panels (no: 121) either above or below them. (insert image?)  Try to work out the gaps to be equal vertically as they are horizontally, to give your design a better balance.  Eg. if the gaps horizontally are 8cm, then leave an 8cm gap between the larger and smaller panel vertically too.

If you are panelling only to half height, you can choose a wall moulding to finish the panelled area neatly (insert image?). Our moulding no: 4025 has a very similar profile to the Shaker panels and adds a smart dado rail-style edge to the panelling.  We also supply our coving/moulding no: 324 which can hide LED lighting, which can throw a soft lighting effect either above or onto the panelling itself.

If you prefer, the moulding no: 4025 can also be used to make ‘bespoke’ panels, to be used in conjunction with the set sized Shaker panels.  To do this, simply measure the perimeter of the panel size you wish to create (in cm).  The moulding comes in 2m lengths, so divide the perimeter length by 200 to calculate how many lengths you will need.

When carrying out a shaker wall panelling project, we understand that you don’t want to end up ordering too much or too little.

At the Library Ladder Company, we provide premade shaker wall panels in set sizes, with each dimension listed on the dedicated product page in centimetres. This includes the projection measurement, which tells you how far the panel will protrude from the wall.

You can compare these measurements to the dimensions of the room you plan to install the panelling in. Use this information to calculate not only how many panels you’ll need to cover the desired area, but also how much of your budget this will cost, and you’ll have a better idea of the scope of your project before you purchase.

One of the many advantages of the practical wall panelling is that it can be used to cover walls in a range of conditions, without needing to be an expert in preparation . Of course, it’s preferable for the wall to be in good condition for the best application, but you can install the polyurethane wall panels to most surfaces, as long as you can place them evenly and use an appropriate adhesive.

The best type of wall is a smooth and even base without cracks or bumps, which can be achieved by sanding the surface and patching any holes or gaps with a suitable filler material. If the surface is uneven, it will be difficult to position the panels properly and achieve a consistent, attractive finish.

While you can use wall panelling to cover up plastered, wallpapered, or tiled walls, you should still do some priming to ensure the best possible finish for your panelled wall. This means cutting away peeling wallpaper and filling in tile grouting if necessary, and cleaning up leftover dust and debris.

You also need to make sure that you use the right glue for the surface material you’re applying the wall panels to. For example, sticking panels over tiles usually requires a polymer-based adhesive, while water-based acrylic adhesive should be strong enough for standard plaster or drywall. You can find a range of wall panel adhesives on our website, including acrylic deco filler for sealing any gaps.

In addition to the profile of the shaker wall panelling itself, the height of the shaker wall panels also has a huge impact on the overall visual effect. Whether you panel a section of the wall or go up to the ceiling, around the room or just one wall, keeping this feature in proportion to the rest of the room is key.

Though there are no strict design rules for shaker wall panelling, most people prefer to stick to the ‘rule of thirds’ – which simply means capping the panel one third of the way up the wall, and leaving the upper two thirds unpanelled. For example, a three-metre wall would require one-metre panelling.

Of course, the most suitable height depends on the particular room you’re panelling and its specific features. Things like windows, fixed cabinets, and plumbing can affect the symmetry if the heights aren’t compatible. Floor-to-ceiling shaker wall panelling only tends to look good in larger rooms with more light, or on one ‘accent wall’ only, while eye-level shaker wall panels are a safe fallback for most rooms.   

Another safe option is ‘dado rail’ height, which is usually around one metre tall (regardless of the ceiling height). The original purpose of dado rails was to protect the walls of dining rooms and sitting rooms when people pushed back their chairs to stand up, so you can also achieve this effect by pushing your own chairs against the wall (gently!) and measuring a few inches above their backs. 

If you’re looking for something different, panelling two-thirds of the way up the wall can give the room a stately appearance. Alternatively, you could ‘extend’ the skirting board by installing low-height shaker wall panels as a baseboard for enhanced kick protection, and match them to door frames. 

There are many ways to use shaker wall panels to your advantage, in terms of both practicality and aesthetics. They’re a popular alternative to more traditional tiles in kitchens and bathrooms – though of course, they need to be waterproof. All of the wall panels we sell are made from Purotouch, a water-resistant and shock-resistant material that’s durable enough to use outdoors as well as on interior walls, including kitchens and bathrooms.

One of the great things about wall panels is that you can install them pretty much anywhere to totally transform the space. Some of the wall panel designs in our range are also available in a flexible version, so you can even wrap the panelling around curved corners. You can use the panels to disguise unsightly utility boxes, or to enhance existing structural features like windows, fireplaces, inset walls, or built-in storage such as shelving. The panels can also be used to refresh cupboard doors, cover draw fronts and upcycle old furniture.

The only limits are the layout of your home and your imagination, so why not put your creativity to the test and figure out where the beautiful wall panelling will serve your interiors best? Whether you use panelling behind a bed or sofa to distinguish separate spaces, or to dress up a dining room or other social area, we guarantee that our wall panels will look wonderful wherever you install them.

Want to get in touch with any enquiries? Feel free to do so today! Simply email us at info@thelibraryladdercompany.co.uk or fill out our online form to request a call back, we will respond as soon as possible.