Wood paneling warps when the moisture content of the wood is uneven from side to side.
Wall paneling that doesn t warp.
Press the panel back down and pull out the nails.
Signs of warped paneling are likely to show if the paneling isn t secured properly.
If you have wood paneling and it begins to bow or buckle possible causes are rising and falling humidity levels wall or foundation settling that make the walls shift and paneling nails coming loose.
Solutions to warped paneling.
Whatever the reason if the paneling is bowing it can generally be reversed or repaired and then put back into place.
A thicker core is less prone to warp but the warping still occurs due to moisture exposure.
Here s what to do.
Interior paneling is basically 1 4 or 3 8 inch plywood and it behaves in the same way as the plywood used for roof decking sheathing and flooring.
Glue is typically used to install wood paneling and nails hold it in place.
Similarly inadequate gluing procedures can also lead to warped paneling.
Depending on the finish of the paneling other damages can occur when a piece becomes warped.
What causes interior paneling to warp.
If the paneling has a laminate finish the finish can separate and start to peal off.
When warping occurs in paneling it appears to bubble or bow outward.
They should be easy to get at if you lift the panel first.
If the panel still pulls up take the panel off the wall and reglue it.
More moisture means expansion and less moisture means contraction.
If it is solid wood paneling splintering can occur.
A denser wood is more prone to warp.
Nail spacing is important and if the nails are too far apart warping can result.
A sheet of plywood has a core surrounded by the wood fibers which provides the stability for the sheet.
You need a putty knife pliers wood adhesive a hammer paneling or finish nails and a touch up stick.
Plywood panels warp for similar reasons.
Store and handle paneling properly.