Corrugated Steel Panel & Aged-Wood Framed Accent Wall

Custom Design & Home Remodeling: Project Profile

Corrugated Steel & Wood Framed Accent Wall

Basic Project Stats

• Estimated Time: 2 Days
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Required Tools: Tape Measure, Square, Level, Saw, Metal Shears or Nibbler, Nail Gun, Compressor
• Required Materials: Panel Material, Trim Material, Trim Nails, Paint or Stain as desired.

Client Powder Room Remodel

This client’s powder room was in need of an update after they became empty nesters. The powder room or guest bathroom is one of the most seen spaces in the home. For visitors, this space was first on their list.

The Space

The guest bathroom in this home is combined with a laundry and mudroom area so the space was larger and could benefit from some architectural interest.

Accent Wall Design

This stunning corrugated steel panel and aged-wood framed accent wall project, created by Nick of PDX HomeWorks in Portland, Oregon, is a budget-friendly way to liven up a boring wall.

D.I.Y Framed Accent Wall

Try it on an accent wall like our clients did or cover the entire room. All it takes is the proper tools, materials, and a weekend’s worth of work. This accent wall will be first on your home tour.

How to Create a Corrugated Steel & Aged-Wood Framed Accent Wall

#1 – Create a Diagram

First, you will need to create a diagram with your wall’s measurements to figure out how much material you’ll need for your trim pieces. Using paper and pencil, create a diagram or drawing, using the following steps.

For this powder room accent wall, Nick divided the space, which is just over x feet long, into x panels x inches wide and separated by the (actual) 4-inch-wide trim.

 Measurements & Math…

Next, You will need to determine the size of your panel spaces. Adjust the size of your panels based on the height and width of your wall and trim materials following these steps:

Part 1 – Measure the width of your panels.

1. Determine the number of panels you want to have across— I think odd numbers look best.
2. Multiply the number of trim pieces across your design requires by the width of your material to get the total width of the trim.
3. Measure the width of the wall and subtract the total width of your trim to get the remaining wall space.
4. Divide the wall space by the number of panels you want. That will give you the spacing between trim and width of the panels.

Part 2 – Measure the height of your panels repeating the steps above.

1. Measure the height of your wall.
2. Multiply the number of trim pieces across your design requires by the width of your material to get the total width of the trim.
3. Measure the height of the wall and subtract the total width of your trim to get the remaining wall space.
4. Divide the wall space by the number of panels you want. That will give you the spacing between trim and width of the panels.

If you are using another, flat, panel material, this will provide you with the measurement for a panel to fit inside your trim.

If you are using the same corrugated steel panels as we did in our project, you will need to adjust this measurement. Add 0.5″ to both the height and width. This will give you a 0.25″ lip to hold the panels in place when you install them.

Part 3 – Calculate the amount of trim needed in linear feet.

1. Measure the height of your wall.
2. Multiply the number of vertical trim pieces your design requires by the height of your wall.
3. Measure the width of your wall.
4. Multiply the number of horizontal trim pieces your design requires by the width of your wall.
5. Convert to feet and add these two numbers together to get the total number of linear feet of trim needed for your project.

(Yes, this will calculate slightly more than needed of the horizontal trim where the pieces would intersect if uncut. This will provide you with just a little bit of extra material should you make a small mistake on a cut.)

How to Create a Corrugated Steel & Aged-Wood Framed Accent Wall

#2 – Measure and Mark the Panel Spacing

Measure and mark the spacing on the wall in pencil. Use a level and square to mark several places along each piece of trim. When you go back to install your trim pieces you will know exactly where to place them.

#3 – Measure and Cut Your Materials

First, if you are using corrugated panels, you will need to cut a groove into the inside panel frame pieces of your trim. This space will hold the 1/2 inch lip we added to each side of the panel measurements. (If you are using flat panel material, move forward to measuring your trim lengths.)

Using a router or table saw to cut a 1/2 inch groove into the inside frame pieces of your panel trim.

Next, Carefully measure the length of each piece of your trim material according to your earlier calculations.

Begin cutting with your two, longest, vertical end pieces. Next, measure and cut your long, horizontal pieces according to plan. Last, cut your shorter, vertical trim stiles. Then, measure and cut your panels to size according to your diagram.

See our post: Cutting Metal: Tools and Techniques…coming soon!

#4 – Install the Top Trim & Bottom Trim

To make as few seams as possible, first mount the long upper horizontal piece, or rail, using trim nails. Repeat installation for the bottom rail. Hold off on the middle rail for now.

How to Create a Corrugated Steel & Aged-Wood Framed Accent Wall

#5 – Install the Middle Trim Stiles

With the top and bottom rails in place, install the top, middle trim stiles. Nail each strip to the wall before proceeding to the next one.

#6 – Install the Top Row Panels

Slide your panels into the grooves you created when you cut your trim material. You can secure them in place with liquid nails.

How to Create a Corrugated Steel & Aged-Wood Framed Accent Wall

#7 – Install the Middle Rail

Mount the middle rail under the panels fitting the lip into the groove.

#8 – Install the Remaining Row(s) of Panels

Repeating steps 4-6 above install the next row of panels. Continue until you have installed all panel rows.

How to Create a Corrugated Steel & Aged-Wood Framed Accent Wall

#9 – Fill Nail Holes, Sand and Seal

Use joint compound to fill the nail holes, and sand the filled areas smooth. Seal each seam with caulk or silicone.

Wait a couple of hours (or overnight) for everything to dry. Wipe down the wall with a damp towel to remove sanding dust and debris.

#10 – Prime and Paint

Prime and paint, stain,  or seal the trim if desired.

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