Y’ALL! WE HAVE SHIPLAP! Old shiplap at that. I never thought I’d be able to write those words! I figured I would just have to add faux shiplap to get the look I was wanting. Never would I have thought that we would be one of those people lucky enough to find a treasure like old shiplap walls buried beneath and hidden away.
My love for old farm houses started before “farmhouse” was a thing. I remember going to my uncle’s old farm house back in 1997 and being in love with the sound of the slapping screen door, the old vintage kitchen and all the character that that house possessed. For the last couple of years I have been putting together a Pinterest board with all the details I love, so that one day when we were able to buy our own home, I could add the charm I desperately needed to have. I now can cross one of those things I need off the list!
How our journey to shiplap began
It all started when we talked to the man who used to run his cattle on the property we bought. He mentioned that there was “old wood planking” behind the walls on the old side of the house. When my husband and I heard him say that we were very intrigued as to what “old wood planking” could mean. Could it be that thin lathing? Could it mean old shiplap walls? We didn’t know but we knew he had to try to find out.
Our whole entire house has brown wood paneling from one end to the other. On this day when we were preparing to sand the paneled walls to prep for priming, my husband popped his head in the air intake cubby we have. Within half a second of him looking inside he said “Babe, we have shiplap!”. No we don’t I thought!…..Then he showed me.
Sweet Baby Jesus! I freaked immediately and I told him we had to take a panel off the wall so we could check to be 100% sure it was shiplap.
And so the process began
We first had start by taking out the door jam and cabinet that was in the hall.
Once he removed the door jam, I saw a glimmer of wood gold. I was chomping at the bit for him to get the cabinet down and the panel off all the way.
Then my husband took the trimming off the wall, which felt like it took an eternity to do.
Now was the moment of truth
He started to pull the panel off and then finally I saw it! SHIIPPPLLAAPPP!
Hey, it might be pink, but it’s still shiplap! And it’s B E A-UTIFUL!
Looking for more Old Shiplap Walls
After all the shrieks, I needed to see if we had more. My husband started by taking off our youngest son’s door and door jam, only to realize there was none behind it. We felt discouraged, but that was only one wall, so we kept on. We didn’t want to take the whole entire house apart however. We’d be screwed if there wasn’t any because it was definitely not in the plans or budget to have to redo all the walls. My husband, being the smart man he is, came up with a brilliant plan to take the light switches and electrical outlet plates off the walls to look behind.
Did we find more old shiplap walls
In the end we ended up searching every wall in the old side of the house and found that almost Every. Single. Interior. And. Exterior. Wall. Had. Shiplap!!! WHAT?!
I’ve got to say my husband is a brilliant man! I don’t say that often and have to say it sparingly or he will get a big head, which he is known to do. After all he still won’t shut up about who found the shiplap. He will randomly pat himself on the back for finding it. He’s a pain in my butt, but I’m glad having that pain has paid off a little.
Tips to see if you may have old shiplap Walls
- If you have an older home pre 1960 built: Take light switch and or outlet cover off. Carefully unscrew the electrical box from wall and than gently pull outward to remove box from wall. Now you can check the layers or wall.
- Check in closets, water heater or air conditioning spaces. Any location that could have exposed areas.
- Gently tap walls like you would to find a stud in the wall. If your whole wall sounds like a stud is present, you may have shiplap. Investigate at your discretion.
Kelley Brown says
Hi there! I am restoring an old house with shiplap in all of the walls. I am beyond excited! But, I am unsure if I should paint the shiplap or leave it as it is. I would love to know more about your process and what you chose to do with your shiplap!
Thank you!
countrylifecharm says
Hi Kelly! We ended up painting ours. It was a process but worth it. We had to sand, sand and sand some more. We removed hardened glue and a billion nails, then we were finally able to prime and paint. I actually took pics of the entire process and will be making a post on it soon. I’d love to know what you ended up doing with your shiplap.
Kitty Avila says
Just bought a 1929 farm house with ship lap under wood paneling! My husband says to tell you he’s not happy that you are giving me big ideas on restoring the shiplap, lol.
How do you insulate the walls?
Wish me luck!
countrylifecharm says
Haha! Sorry to the husband. Since mine discovered ours, he has no one to blame but himself.
We haven’t actually insulate the walls yet. The house stays extremely cool on that side in the summer and in the winter, it has been more of a challenge. We used spray foam to sill the bottom of the walls where they meet the floor and behind any knot holes or gaps. We plan of insulating from the outside, when we replace the vinyl siding.
Good luck to y’all!!!
Margie Rodgers says
I have ship lap that the contractor removed from my house built 1933. I would like to sell this wood now that they removed it. He has totally destroyed the integrity of this house. He has an excuse for everything he did that I`m not buying but can’t help now. I am old and appreciate this old house.
Don’t know who contact about selling the wood. I have been so mad about this. I`m not letting them take it too the landfill. The 2×4`s were better than the cheap wood they framed some walls with. Had a whole large dumpster.
that I found out they took to dump instead of recycling. I would never recommend these people.
countrylifecharm says
Oh no that’s terrible. I’m sorry they took that out of your house. You can always list the wood on the Marketplace on Facebook or on some of your local community pages. I’m sure people would be chomping at the bit to buy salvaged antique wood. Good Luck Margie.
Betty A Szymborski says
My farmhouse has all ceiling with small size shiplap. The house was built in 1890. I need shiplap to repair some of the damage ones. Can you tell me where to find old shiplap?
countrylifecharm says
Hi there! I’m sorry I really wouldn’t have the faintest idea. Maybe you can Google any house salvage places in the bigger cities around you. A lot of those type of companies will save old bits and pieces from houses before they are torn down.