Knotty Pine Paneling

Wood is often preferred over other wall treatments for its class and elegance. Country homes are robbed off their rustic charm, if the walls are anything but wood paneled. However, the old, plain boring look of wood panels has undergone a sea change, thereby making way to newer designs and patterns in wall treatments. Knotty pine paneling is one such interior trend that has become instantly popular. It renders a very authentic and rustic look to any home. Earlier, it was reserved only for log cabins or country homes, but these days, this form of wall treatment has found its place even in modern homes.

What is Knotty Pine Paneling

It is basically wood paneling made from pine timber. Pine timber is often preferred for its properties like smell, minimum grain variation and light shaded wood. Knotty pine wood paneling is derived from the natural pine wood which is manufactured for furnishing purpose. The natural knots in the wood get highlighted during the process, leaving behind a highly attractive pattern on the pine wood. The knots in the pine wood are mainly responsible for rendering that rustic look and old world charm.

Designs and Ideas

Knotty pine can be used for paneling the walls of the entire house. However, if you do not want a peculiar cabin look, then you may use it only as an accent. It exudes warmth and creates a very cozy ambiance. Hence, you can use this type of paneling for covering living rooms, bedrooms or sitting rooms. They even look great in kitchen. Alternatively, you may get knotty pine furniture or other accent pieces for creating a similar effect. Although, painting knotty pine is one of the interior decorating ideas, you might prefer its natural look. It comes in myriad shades from light blond to brown. You may go for a shade that matches with the rest of your home décor. One biggest advantage of knotty pine paneling is that it has the ability to accentuate the other décor of the house. Thus, you can go for bright accent pieces or wall adornments, if you have pine panels. Some people might think that knotty pine eats away the light in the room, however, you can eliminate this problem by going for light colored drapes and curtains. Also, adding artificial illumination in the form of lamps and floor lighting can alleviate the darkness problem.

Caring for Knotty Pine Panels

Knotty pine panels are available in pre-finished form, so that you only need to spend for labor charges. After finishing the paneling, it is a must that you care for knotty pine throughout its life. Pine is naturally softer than other timber, hence more susceptible to scratches and other damage. Sealing the wall panels with a wood wax or lemon oil, 3 to 7 times a year is a good way to protect your knotty pine. The knots in the pine tend to bleed by giving off tannins and sap, which can ruin the staining of the wood. A coat of primer can prevent the sap from bleeding through the panels. However, beware of the tint of primer, as it may render a grayish shade to your paneling. Go for the most natural shade, so that the look of the walls is not altered.

Since, knotty pine panels do not hide the imperfections of the wood, it is far cheaper than the flawless and highly finished varieties of the wood. Thus, it is a great and inexpensive way of donning your walls.