Many homes have wood paneling that covers all or part of a wall in a living room, study, family room, or similar space.

Sometimes paneling is paired with another material on a single wall—for example, it isn’t unusual for the top of a wall to be drywall and the bottom half to be wood paneling, or wainscoting.

Wood paneling is typically installed as solid boards milled to overlap or interlock with tongue-and-groove or shiplap edges.

Wood paneling is also sold in 4-by-8-foot sheets that are fairly thin, normally 1/4 to 3/4 inch thick. These sheets can be made from different kinds of hardwood that can be given a clear finish, less expensive woods that are meant to be stained or painted, or a wood-veneer or simulated-wood material.

Paneling may be applied to drywall, directly to wall studs, or to furring strips applied over masonry surfaces.

In many areas, building codes require installing wood paneling over a fire-resistant backing of drywall.