Nickel Gap Paneling

Historically, builders and carpenters were installing shiplap paneling on walls and ceilings. It was faster and easier to install than tongue and groove. The only downside was it had to be face nailed. 

As clients decided to paint the shiplap material, when the boards would contract in the winter it left unsightly gaps. Thus, builders began installing the shiplap with a gap already in it, so that when the material contracted it still looked as intended. However, this was very labor intensive. The Installer would have to place actual nickels between the boards during installation to create the gap. Hence the term “Nickel Gap” or Nickel Gap Shiplap. 

As this trend became more popular, mills started creating the gap in the shiplap at the molder so it was easier and quicker to install. However, the product still had to be face nailed.

Country Wood Works decided to create a product that was tongue and groove, so it would not have to be face nailed, yet it would also provide that Nickel Gap look once installed. 

Most mills would make the tongue longer or the groove shallower to create this gap. That actually compromised the tongue and groove fit, and when the board contracted in the winter, tongues would actually come out of the groove.

Country Wood Works pioneered creating the gap by cutting an 1/8” out of the tongue side of the face. This way the tongue and groove fit was not compromised, the product did not have to be face nailed, and it had the uniform 1/8” Nickel Gap that was desired.

This has since become the standard for manufacturing Nickel Gap Paneling.