When it comes to walls, you might think drywall is the only game in town. But let me tell you, it’s not the only fish in the sea—or should I say, tree in the forest? Enter solid wood shiplap, a material that’s as charming as your favorite pair of Converse and as sturdy as your cast-iron skillet. Today, I’m sharing why I went with solid wood shiplap for my home, and how it’s become the unsung hero of my walls.
In this post you will be able to compare both drywall and shiplap side by side. By comparing shiplap vs drywall I will give you my top 10 reasons why solid wood shiplap should be your next go-to material when building or designing a new space. Be sure to read to the end for a bonus section.
Easy to Install
Wood shiplap is easy to install. Here’s the thing: even if you’re not a DIY master, shiplap is a breeze to put up. The boards fit together like the pieces of a well-loved puzzle. Compared to drywall, which often requires mudding, sanding, and texturing—none of which I have the patience for—shiplap is a straight-to-the-point installation. It’s the no-fuss, no-muss option for people like me who want great results without needing a master’s degree in drywall taping. And you can cut out the middle man of a hiring someone saving you money. The only specialty tools needed for installing is a nail gun, compressor and scaffolding.
Installs Fast
Not only is shiplap easy to install, even for a beginner, but it also goes up fast—faster than honey dripping down your chin on a hot summer day. Whether you’re building or remodeling, this quick installation is a huge bonus. Plus, there’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of stepping back after just a few minutes of nailing up boards and realizing how far you’ve already come
Skip the texture
Let’s talk texturing, or rather, let’s not. Because with solid wood shiplap, you don’t have to. There’s no need for plastering and texturing with shiplap’s natural wood finish. It’s got its own built-in style, with the grooves and lines adding visual interest without a smudge of extra effort. This is not only a time savings, but also a cost savings.
Cost
Let’s talk money for a second. Shiplap might seem like a designer-only option, but it’s actually pretty wallet-friendly. In some cases, it can cost the same as drywall—or even less if you know where to shop. It’s an investment that pays off in character and longevity, without breaking the bank. If you are reading all the sections, you’ll remember that with shiplap you can install it yourself and cut-out the middle man. This is where the real savings lies. When we built out home in 2022, we opted for using shiplap in all the rooms except where we were installing wallpaper and in the closets. Even though we had over 7,000 square-feet of wall space to cover in shiplap we still came out better than drywall.
Pro tip: call some local lumber yards and ask if they have shiplap “seconds”. This is a great way to find some savings. The boards are not perfect, but even with waste can be a more affordable option than drywall if you are installing it yourself.
Sturdier Home
Have you ever noticed an old home, like a really old home, that may be abandoned, but is still standing? It’s due in part to the sturdy wooden planks lining the walls on the inside: the walls we call shiplap today. Think of shiplap like the superhero version of your standard wall. Sure, drywall is the Clark Kent of walls, but shiplap? It’s Superman—ready to take on bumps, dings, and all the wear-and-tear your home throws at it, making your walls tougher and more durable than with standard drywall. Not only does shiplap give your home a strength factor that drywall can’t, it’s pretty cost effective too.
Low Maintenance
Ever noticed how drywall can scar like it’s been through a battle every time someone leans a chair against it? Not with shiplap. Those solid wooden boards hold up against bumps, scrapes, and general wear-and-tear like a champ. No more pictures in awkward places because you didn’t have time to putty, sand and paint the gash that was created when the movers weren’t as careful as they should have been. With shiplap even clumsy move-in crews can be forgiven with ease.
Long Lasting
Shiplap isn’t just a pretty face—it’s here for the long haul. While drywall might start looking worn after a few years (especially if you’ve got kids like mine), shiplap ages gracefully. It adds character and charm over time, making it the timeless option for any home. I personally love how pine shiplap starts to show the color of its knots through the paint. I feel this really brings a unique element that drywall only has when it’s been damaged and repaired. Shiplap is like fine wine and is more desirable the older it is.
Nail Anywhere, Anytime
Here’s a little secret: you can hammer a nail into shiplap pretty much anywhere, and it won’t bat an eye. No need to worry about hitting studs or wrecking the wall—shiplap takes it like a pro. This has been a lifesaver in my home where things are always moving and shifting. Because it is so forgiving when you hammer anything into it, things like gallery walls, bad leveling (also known as eye-balling-it), or just changing your mind, it is a non-event. Whereas with drywall, you better be pretty committed to what you are wanting to hang on it, otherwise it’ll start to look pretty tired fairly quickly.
Scraps = Materials for Other Projects
What do you do with leftover shiplap? Get creative, of course! Those extra bits can be repurposed for all sorts of projects—think accent walls, picture frames, or even DIY shelving. It’s the gift that keeps on giving. We had quite a few cut-offs that we couldn’t use inside of our home, so we saved them for future projects that will not require the long 12-16′ boards we started with. So far they have come in quite handy and we have been able to use them in our barn on the walls as well as my boys using them in their “secret hideout”.
Eco-Friendly
If you’re looking to be more eco-conscious, solid wood shiplap is a greener option than drywall. It’s typically made from sustainable woods, and it can often be reused or repurposed. Drywall, on the other hand, is tough to recycle and can contribute to waste in our landfills. Remember the Chinese drywall epidemic? While the industry may have changed its standards to circumvent another drywall epidemic, I feel that over time the off-gassing of drywall is less safe than shiplap.
No More Fingerprints!
This might be one of my of my favorite pro’s of solid wood shiplap – NO MORE FINGERPRINTS! Say goodbye to fingerprint smudges that seem to multiply like rabbits on drywall. With shiplap, just one wipe and you’re back to fresh and clean—like magic.
At the end of the day, the choice between shiplap vs drywall is personal, but for me, it’s solid wood shiplap all the way. It’s durable, stylish, and practical—not to mention, it gives my home that extra touch of character I was looking for. Ultimately we chose shiplap for all of these reasons:
- We could install it ourselves
- It goes up in a heartbeat
- Save more time by skipping an entire process of texturing
- Save money by purchasing “seconds” from our local lumber yard
- Give strength and character to our home in fell swoop
- Low maintenance
- Long lasting
- It makes changing up wall decor easy
- Everything we couldn’t use on the wall could be used for something else
- Fits in with our eco-consciousness
- Fingerprint resistant
Bonus: Solid Wood Shiplap vs. Manufactured Nickel Gap: What’s the Difference?
Not all shiplap is created equal, and if you’re looking into adding it to your home, it’s worth knowing the difference. Solid wood shiplap, like what we used in our home, has natural imperfections—knots, grain variations, and the occasional crack. These details add authenticity and character that you just can’t get with manufactured shiplap, which is often made from particle board or MDF. While manufactured shiplap, like the nickel gap style, offers a more uniform, polished look, it lacks the durability and uniqueness of solid wood.
We actually purchased nickel gap boards, but chose to flip them, butting the edges together for a seamless look. It’s a small detail, but one that made all the difference for the design we wanted—something simple, natural, and sturdy. Solid wood also tends to age beautifully over time, adding warmth and charm, whereas manufactured boards may not stand the test of time in the same way.
If you’re thinking about sprucing up your walls, don’t be afraid to give shiplap a try. Let me know what you think and if you have tried shiplap before or even have questions about the process.
