Wood paneling is a great way to add style to a bare wall. While it was first introduced in homes for insulating purposes, it has since been used to add aesthetics to a room, specifically to a wall that seems too plain.
While it became an architectural fad for a long time (from the 1950s to the 1970s), wood paneling’s popularity took a steep dive in the 1980s and 1990s when it became too common in most houses in the country.
However, wood paneling has successfully staged a comeback in the past couple of years. Many homeowners opt to install wood panels in their homes not just because they can dramatically alter a room’s appearance but for their protective and insulative properties as well.
If you’re considering installing wood panels in your home, you should know that these can warp over time, especially if exposed to particular environmental conditions. Read on to find out what to expect when you get wood paneling for your home – from what causes them to warp to how you can fix warped wood paneling.
What Is Wood Warping?
Wood paneling, as the name implies, is mainly made out of wood. As many would know, wood can naturally expand and contract depending on the environment it is exposed to. This deformity can be a problem for importers of many wood-based products, including furniture, wood moldings, paneling, and even musical instruments such as guitars.
Because they’re mainly made of wood (which can naturally expand or contract depending on the environment the wood is exposed to), these panels can easily deform. For instance, wood paneling exposed to too much moisture can expand. On the other hand, if the wood panels are installed in an overly dry space, the wood would shrink over time. Now, if one part of the panel is exposed to moisture while the other is exposed to a dry environment, the wood paneling can also twist and deform.
Types of Warping
Wood can warp in many different ways depending on the cause. Below are the most common types of wood warping.
1. Bow
A bowed wood is when it bends along the length of the wood so that it forms a sort of a “C” shape, often looking like a bow of an arrow, hence the name.
2. Twist
As the name suggests, the wood warps in a twisting movement in which the two end plains of a wood panel distort in opposing directions.
3. Kink
A kinked warp has a raised end on one side. It looks like a straight arm, with the wrist bent.
4. Crook
A crooked warp shows a section of the wood bent due to a shrinkage in one end.
5. Cup
When a plank of wood is cupped, its edges along the length of the piece of wood are raised and turned towards the center.
Causes of Warped Paneling
Below are the common reasons warped paneling can occur:
1. Humidity Changes
As previously discussed, the integrity of a wood’s shape can be compromised depending on the presence or absence of moisture in the environment. This is because wood is organic and porous, which means it can either expand when it absorbs moisture (in humid areas like the basement) or shrink when it dries up.
2. Wood Density
The type of wood used to make panels can also contribute to warping. A dense wood, for example, may be strong, but it is susceptible to warping because it can absorb a whole lot of moisture. Panels made from lightweight plywood sheets are your best option to avoid warping. Wood thickness can also determine if warping is possible.
3. Construction Errors
Paneling can be installed using a combination of glue, nails, and brads. Glue is used to bond the wood panels to the substrate, while brads and nails serve to keep them in place. If too much glue is used, the panels could end up twisted. The same result is produced if the brads and nails are spaced too closely.
4. Water Damage
Home water damage is a common cause of warped paneling. This could occur if your home was damaged by floods, plumbing leaks, or exposed pipes installed above your sink.
After discovering that you have a water-damaged wood panel, the first thing to do is to stop it from getting worse. This means preventing moisture from spreading further so mold spores will not come in and multiply.
How To Fix Warped Paneling
If you have warped paneling, there’s no need to replace them, as it can still be fixed with these simple yet effective paneling repair methods:
1. Heat Method
While heat can cause warped paneling when applied during wet conditions, it can also solve the problem. A heat source, such as a lamp, can be used to warm a piece of warped wood. To do this, use a clamp to hold the wood, then heat it until the bend disappears. During the heating process, however, you must be careful not to ignite a flame.
2. Iron Method
A household iron can heat and pressurize the paneling to remove the warped portion. This method is particularly effective for thin wood. When using this paneling repair method, set the iron at its hottest level, wrap the wood with a wet towel, and start ironing. Protect your skin when you inspect the paneling to avoid burns. Repeat the process as many times as necessary to get the desired result.
3. Sunlight Method
While sunlight and exposure to the elements can cause damage to your paneling, this could also help you repair it. Use the sun’s heat to fix warped wood by initially wrapping this with a moist towel. Place this directly under sunlight with the warp facing down until it completely dries. The process should allow the heat and moisture to help expand the wood’s fibers.
4. Pressure Method
In this method, you can use clamps and damp paper towels to hold a bent piece of wood paneling against a flat surface. When everything is in place, allow the wood fibers to relax in order to bring the paneling back to its straight condition. Warm weather will make this method effective, although you may have to wait several days or weeks to see the results.
Key Takeaway
Although warped paneling can be a problem for many homeowners, the damage is not beyond repair. There are various tools and techniques that can be used to help you fix it, so removing the wood paneling and replacing it should not be the immediate solution.
If the cause of the warping is water damage, it is crucial that you first get rid of all moisture from your paneling to prevent the growth of surface molds. If allowed to multiply, molds can further ruin your paneling and even spread to other parts of your home.
For all water damage concerns, trust Deep Water Emergency Services and Mitigation to provide you with the most effective solution.
Water damage can affect practically every part of your home, from your wood paneling to the very ground that you’re standing on. Regardless of how extensive the damage is, you can rely on Deep Water Emergency Services and Mitigation to help bring your life back to normal as early as possible.
Our team of experts that handles water damage mitigation in Denver is always on standby to receive your call for help. Rest assured that you will get the assistance that you need right away. Call now for more questions or to get a quotation.
