All Georgia-Pacific decorative wall panels can be installed in dry basements following installation recommendations installation instructions for below grade and over masonry walls. Please see installation instructions (PDF: 273KB/8pgs) for more details.

Lionite® Tileboard and plank paneling products can be used within mobile homes. These decorative panels are certified to meet HUD 24 CFR Part 3200 formaldehyde emission requirements for plywood wall paneling and can be used in mobile homes with adequate ventilation. Our other decorative wall panels contain low levels of urea formaldehyde resin and may release formaldehyde vapors in extremely low concentrations. Mount Vernon® wall paneling is a thin medium density fiberboard (MDF) base and meets HUD formaldehyde emission requirements for MDF and particleboard but not for plywood paneling. Therefore it can be used with adequate ventilation in limited applications in mobile homes but not for full wall paneling.

Building codes require that panels thinner than 1/4" be installed over a non-combustible backer over studs. Georgia-Pacific Western Vista panels, 1/8" and 3/16" hardboard; 1/8" and 5/32" Mount Vernon® and StyleLine® wall panels always should be installed over a solid, non-combustible backing such as gypsum wallboard. Please see installation instructions (PDF: 273KB/8pgs) for more detail.

Trim or moldings are typically fastened by nailing through Georgia-Pacific decorative paneling and into the supporting framing. Nail length should allow a minimum 3/4" penetration into framing. Prefinished trim is typically nailed with a color matching painted nail. Unfinished trim is typically stained or painted before installation over prefinished paneling and nailed with a color matching nail. Over unfinished paneling, trim can be nailed with a finish nail, set slightly and putty filled prior to finishing of the trim and paneling.

Hardwood and MDF - a 1/16" gap between adjacent panels is recommended to allow for expansion. Never butt panels tightly. A 3/16" space should be provided around windows and doors.

Plywood – A 1/16” gap between adjacent panels is recommend to allow for expansion. Never butt panels tightly. A 3/16” space should be provided around windows and doors.

Tileboard – Leave a 3/16” gap between panels, including 1/16” between panel edge and the inside of the moulding. Please see installation instructions (PDF: 273KB/8pgs) for more detail.

Medium-density fiberboard (MDF) is a dry-formed panel product manufactured from wood fibers combined with a synthetic resin and compressed in a hot press.

Adhesive application may be used to apply Plywood, Hardboard and 1/4” MDF.* For 5/32” and 1/8” MDF use both adhesive and nails.
Plywood, Hardboard and MDF – adhesive may be used to apply panels directly to studs or over existing walls as long as the surface is level, sound and clean. Once the panel is fitted, apply beads of adhesive with a caulking gun in a continuous strip along the top, bottom and both sides of the panel. On intermediate studs, apply beads 3” long and 6” apart. Over solid backing, apply adhesive in a zigzag pattern between studs. Some supplemental nailing will be necessary to hold the panel in place until the adhesive sets. Be sure to read the adhesive manufacturer’s instructions carefully prior to installation, as instructions may vary. Use a hammer and padded wood block (or rubber mallet) to set the glued panel in position. Please see installation instructions (PDF: 273KB/8pgs) for more detail
*Use only a latex water based adhesive with MDF panels. Solvent based adhesive may cause discoloration of finished on MDF panels.

Georgia-Pacific Plywood, Hardboard, and MDF (medium density fiberboard) – Panel grooves are usually located every 16”, allowing nails to be placed in the grooves on standard 16” stud centers. Panel matching colored ringshank nails are recommended. Use 1" nails to apply paneling to studs alone, 1-1/2” nails to apply paneling through a solid backing or plaster. Space nails 6” along panel edges and 8”, (12” plywood) on intermediate studs. Please wear eye protection when nailing.

Tileboard – do not nail tileboard. Use a good-quality paneling adhesive and spread according to manufacturer’s instructions. With a 3/16” notched trowel, scrape the panel so that you leave only ridges of adhesive covering the entire back surface of the panel. If you are using moulding, insert prior to setting panels permanently in place. Carefully set the panels in place and press them firmly against the wall. After 15 minutes, press panels again to ensure proper adhesion. Please see installation instructions (PDF: 273KB/8pgs) for more detail.

Plywood, MDF (medium density fiberboard), and Hardboard – If measured floor-to-ceiling height is 8’ or less, subtract 1/2” from the measurement to allow 1/4” expansion clearance top and bottom. Transfer these measurements to panels for cutting. If using a handsaw or table saw, mark and cut the panels face up. If using a portable circular saw or saber saw, mark and cut panels face down. Cut-outs for door and window sections, electrical switches and outlets or heat registers require careful measurements. Please see installation instructions (PDF: 273KB/8pgs) for more detail.