Painting Wood Panelling in London Period Homes

Painting Wood Panelling in London Period Homes

Wood panelling is one of the defining features of London's stock of Georgian, Victorian, and Edwardian properties. Whether it takes the form of a full-height panelled room in a Belgravia townhouse, a painted dado rail and fielded panels in a Kensington hallway, or tongue-and-groove boarding in an Islington reception room, painted panelling requires a very specific approach to produce a finish that is both durable and visually correct.

This guide covers the preparation, paint system, and colour choices that professional decorators use on London panelling projects.

Understanding the Types of Panelling

Raised and fielded panelling consists of a framework of stiles (vertical members) and rails (horizontal members) with inset panels that are raised in the centre and chamfered at the edges. This is the classic Georgian and Regency panelling found in the formal rooms of large period townhouses. The number of components and the different planes of the surface make this the most demanding type to paint to a high standard: each panel, moulding, stile, and rail needs to be painted in the right sequence to avoid visible lap marks and runs.

Tongue-and-groove boarding is simpler in construction -- interlocking boards with a bead or groove between them -- but the repetitive vertical or horizontal lines mean any variation in sheen or coverage is immediately apparent. T&G boarding is common in hallways, bathrooms, and as dadoes in Victorian terraces.

Flat plank dado panelling, consisting of wide boards fixed to the wall below the dado rail, is common in later Victorian and Edwardian properties. It is the easiest of the three to paint but still requires thorough preparation to look good.

Preparation: The Critical Stage

The most common failure in painted panelling is inadequate preparation. Old paint layers, particularly the multiple coats that many London period properties have accumulated over decades, can obscure the crisp edges of mouldings, create a cloudy, indistinct surface, and contain layers of incompatible material that eventually fail.

The preparation sequence for painted panelling is:

1. Assess the existing paint build-up. If moulding profiles are sharp and the existing finish is adhering well, the existing paint can be used as a base with appropriate preparation. If the paint is thick, flaking, or the profiles have been lost, the panelling needs to be stripped.
2. Stripping. Chemical stripping paste or an infrared heat tool (never an open flame) can be used to remove paint from panelling. Heat tools are faster on flat areas; chemical paste is safer on intricate mouldings. After stripping, the timber must be neutralised, dried, and lightly sanded.
3. Filling. All nail holes, gaps between boards, and any surface imperfections are filled with a flexible, paintable filler. Where boards have shrunk and left visible gaps, a flexible acrylic sealant is preferable to a rigid filler, as it will accommodate future timber movement.
4. Sanding and priming. Bare timber is sanded with 120-grit, dusted, and then primed with an oil-based primer on traditional softwood panelling (the most common in London period properties) or a water-based primer on MDF or hardboard replacement panels. A knotting compound is applied to any visible knots before priming to prevent resin bleed.
5. Undercoat and denibbing. One or two coats of undercoat are applied and denibbed between coats with 240-grit to build the surface and obscure the grain.

Choosing the Right Paint

For panelling in London period homes, the choice of topcoat is between oil-based (alkyd) and water-based (acrylic) systems.

Oil-based eggshell or satin produces a harder, more durable finish with a characteristic depth and slight sheen that suits period panelling extremely well. It is slower drying (twelve to twenty-four hours between coats) and has a stronger odour, but the resulting finish is regarded by most experienced decorators as superior in period settings. Little Greene's oil-based eggshell and Farrow and Ball's estate eggshell (which has an oil-modified formulation) are popular choices.

Water-based acrylic satin has improved significantly and is now used on many high-end panelling projects. It dries faster, has lower VOC emissions, and cleans up with water. Brands such as Mylands, Zinsser Perma-White (for bathrooms), and Little Greene's intelligent eggshell perform well. The key is to apply enough coats to build a solid film -- three topcoats is rarely too many on panelling.

For the finest panelled rooms, some decorators still specify a solvent-based conversion varnish applied in a spray finish, which produces an exceptionally hard, smooth surface. This is particularly appropriate for the raised portions of fielded panels where wear is greatest.

Colour Ideas for Panelling

The most effective palette choices for painted London panelling are:

Below dado rail, different colour above -- the classic Victorian approach, with the dado panelling in a deeper, richer tone and the wall above in a paler shade. Farrow and Ball Railings or Down Pipe on the dado with Pavilion Grey or Dimpse above works well in period hallways.

Full-height panelling in a single colour -- where the room is fully panelled to ceiling height, a single mid-tone colour painted throughout reads as calm and unified. Colours such as Mizzle, Lichen, or Hardwick White (all Farrow and Ball) have become popular for this treatment.

Deep, saturated colour on panelling -- increasingly popular in London interiors, particularly in studies, dining rooms, and libraries. Very deep greens, dark blues, and rich terracottas on panelling anchor a room and provide a backdrop against which furniture and artwork can stand out.

Regardless of colour choice, the finish on panelling should always be a sheen level below the skirting boards and architraves, if those are painted in a higher sheen. This hierarchy of sheens -- matte ceiling, soft sheen walls, eggshell panelling, satin woodwork -- is the approach used in the best London period interior restorations. Contact Belgravia Painters to discuss a panelling project anywhere in central or inner London.