How to Install Wall Moulding and Paintable Panels by Trepanel Style®

Introduction:

When it comes to upgrading your interiors, adding wall moulding and panels is an easy yet effective way to bring style, depth and sophistication to any space. Whether you’re aiming for a sleek, modern look or a timeless, classic finish, learning how to install wall moulding and panels will help you transform your walls effortlessly. This installation guide will walk you through each step of the process, from surface preparations and adhesive application to painting and finishing touches. Designed for DIY enthusiasts and professionals alike, this guide ensures a stress-free installation so you can achieve a flawless, high-end look in no time.

How to Install Wall Moulding

You Will Need:

– Trepanel Style® Wall Moulding

– Mapei Super Grip Panel Adhesive

– Tape Measure

– Spirit Level

– Pencil

– Fine-tooth saw with fewer than 100 teeth

– Filler or decorator’s caulk

– Room-appropriate paint

Step 1 – Prepare your Surface

Before beginning any installation process, ensure your surface is clean, dry, and free from dust and debris. For best results, you may also need to fill in any cracks or imperfections in the wall.

Step 2 – Measure Up

You will need to measure where on the wall you want to install your moulding and the length of cuts you’ll need to make on the wall moulding itself.

It is down to personal choice where on the wall you want to install your moulding, so spend some time figuring this out and coming to a conclusion that works for you and your home. Be aware that in some older properties, the floors and ceilings may be ever so slightly out, so we recommend ensuring your measurements are in line with the ceiling to ensure it looks straight to the eye when you’re done.

Make a mark across several points of the wall where you want your moulding to sit, using a spirit level to ensure everything is straight, and then join these up using a straight edge or a chalk line.

Step 3 – Cutting Your Moulding

To cut your moulding, we recommend using a fine-tooth saw with fewer than 100 teeth.

Place your moulding on a clean, solid surface to cut, with appropriate dust removal in place.

Ensure you cut with a mitre block if cutting for corners, using the correct angles to ensure a smooth, seamless finish. Follow our “How to Mitre” guide for more information on mitring.

Step 4 – Attaching to the Surface

Trepanel Style® Moulding can be applied directly onto the surface. The quickest and easiest way of doing this is by using our Mapei Super Grip Panel Adhesive.

Apply adhesive on the reverse along the full length of the moulding. Lift your moulding into place and press firmly for approximately 60 seconds or until the adhesive is dry enough to hold the weight of the material. For a quicker installation, place pins in the wall below the rail to hold it in place, and then remove them when the adhesive is fully dry, filling any holes with filler.

Use filler/decorators caulk to refine any gaps or imperfections along the moulding, sanding it down to a smooth finish when dry.

Step 5 – Painting your Moulding

No priming is required when painting our Trepanel Style®! Simply find a room appropriate paint, and paint!

This can be done with either a roller or a paintbrush. You may need to layer a couple of coats of paint for a flawless finish, depending on the quality of the paint used and the method of application.

The paint can be any colour of your choice, so long as it is suitable for your space. E.g. for bathrooms, we recommend a bathroom-specific paint.

Our moulding is constructed using PS (Polystyrene Composite) and can be somewhat non-porous. To improve the longevity of the paint you apply, choose a flexible, durable paint like acrylic or specialised plastic paint, and then apply a sealant or clear coat for extra protection against scuffs and marks. Please note, however, that any paint may chip over time across any surface due to environmental factors.

How to Install Full Wall Panels

You Will Need:

– Trepanel Style® Paintable Wall Panels

– Mapei Super Grip Panel Adhesive

– Tape Measure

– Fine-tooth saw with fewer than 100 teeth

– Tanking system (if you are installing in areas in direct contact with water)

– Silicone sealant

Step 1 – Prepare your Surface

Before beginning any installation process, ensure your surface is clean and free from dust and debris. For best results, you may also need to fill in any cracks or imperfections in the wall.

If using in an area that is coming into direct contact with water, you will need to tank it with a tanking system. Tanking provides a protective barrier that prevents water from penetrating through the panels and reaching the surface underneath. If this is not done correctly, moisture may seep into the walls and cause damage, so please ensure you read the manufacturer’s instructions closely.

Step 2 – Measure Up

Ensure you measure how many panels you need to cover the intended wall space. If you are planning on cutting your wall panels, measure where this cut needs to be and make a mark on your panel with a pencil.

Step 3 – Cutting your Panels

Before attaching any panels to your wall, you may find you need to cut the panels to fit into place or around any obstacles (consider light switches or potential plugs). Before cutting, ensure you have a suitable dust removal process in place. We advise using a fine-tooth saw with fewer than 100 teeth to cut the panels to size or for obstacles. This is because saws with more teeth than this may cause friction, which may result in discolouration or damage. Place the panel on a stable surface, then cut away the excess material.

Step 4 – Attaching to the Surface

Once your cutting is complete, our Trepanel Style® full wall panels can be fixed directly onto the surface. For a quick and easy way of doing this, use our Mapei Super Grip Panel Adhesive.

Apply adhesive to the full length of the panel along the back, creating a border and then a cross through the centre. Apply the panels to the wall, working from left to right, placing the first panel with the tongue of the tongue and groove system to the right. Press firmly to adhere the panel and hold for approximately 60 seconds or until you feel the adhesive is dry enough to support the panel’s weight.

Take the next panel and apply adhesive to the reverse in the same way, slotting the tongue of the first panel into the groove. Press firmly into place and continue. Be sure to clean away any excess adhesive from the panel straight away with a damp cloth.

Step 5 – Painting Your Wall Panels

No priming is required when painting our Trepanel Style®! Simply find a room appropriate paint, and paint!

The paint can be any colour of your choice, so long as it is suitable for your space. For example, for bathrooms, we recommend a bathroom-specific paint.

Our panels are constructed using PS (Polystyrene Composite) and so can be somewhat non-porous. To improve the longevity of the paint you apply, choose a flexible, durable paint like acrylic or specialised plastic paint, and then apply a sealant or clear coat for extra protection against scuffs and marks. Please note, however, that any paint may chip over time across any surface due to environmental factors.

Additional Information for Installing Full Wall Panels in Bathrooms

If you are planning to install your panels in your bathroom, where they may come into contact with water, then you will need to waterproof your wall, ensuring this is done before your panels are installed to avoid water damage to your walls.

To do this, we recommend using either a tanking system or a waterproof membrane that is specifically designed for use in wet areas.

Common choices for this include both sheet membranes or waterproof boards.

We recommend our Mapei Shower Waterproofing Kit. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to apply this.

When installing your panels in the bathroom, ensure you apply a line of silicone sealant along the tongue and groove down the sides of the panels before interlocking them into one another to ensure a waterproof seal, preventing water from penetrating your walls. Run a line of silicone sealant around the edges of your panels and around any holes or cuts you made into the panel, preventing water from penetrating the wall behind.

How to Repaint Paintable Wall Panels

If you’re feeling a little bored with the initial colour you chose to paint your Trepanel Style® Moulding and panels, here’s how to give it a new lease of life and repaint!

We recommend lightly sanding the surface of your moulding/panels. This doesn’t have to remove the colour, and is intended to roughen the surface of the panels slightly, to give your new paint something to adhere to.

Use a paintbrush or roller to repaint over the top.

Please note that if you repaint over the top of your panels too many times, you may start to notice a change in the shaping of the moulding/panels.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you are sure to be able to effortlessly install Trepanel Style® Paintable wall moulding and panels to enhance your interiors with a sophisticated, custom finish. Whether you’re creating elegant wall detailing or a seamless full-panel feature, the process is designed to be straightforward and achievable for both DIY enthusiasts and professionals. With the right tools, proper surface preparations, and high-quality adhesives, you can ensure a durable and visually stunning result. Don’t forget to use room-appropriate paint for a lasting finish, and if installing in wet areas, take the necessary waterproofing precautions. Now, it’s time to enjoy your transformed space and the stylish impact of your newly installed wall moulding or panels.