Creative Faux Panels

One of the best things that’s happened to building construction in the past 15 years is the Insulating Concrete Form, or ICF. This interlocking system for sandwiching poured concrete between two layers of insulating foam is the greatest thing since … well, you know.

Anyway, once you’ve made one of these energy-efficient wall sandwiches, you need to cover it with something. And one of the options, for the inside or outside, is faux paneling. Naturally.

So here’s the tip. To cover an ICF wall with faux paneling, use the quicker sticker upper. Otherwise known as Handi-Stick®.

Handi-Stick is a cross between standard construction adhesive and spray foam. It comes in a cartridge, and you apply it with either a pro dispensing unit or a simple straw applicator. It comes out just like a bead of regular adhesive, but foamy.

So why use it? Because you can apply it to the back of a panel, press the panel in place on the wall, hold it flat for a minute or two, let go, and — you’re done. That panel’s stuck for good. Tight, flat, permanent. No drilling, no screwing, no screw holes to fill. Next panel, please.

Of course you do want to make sure you’ve marked exactly where it goes before you start squirting the Handi-Stick. That’s true of any fastening method, but with this one we really mean it. You’ve got five minutes to make contact with the wall, and then just a few moments to nudge it into its forever home.

Click to learn more about Insulating Concrete Formsand Handi-Stick.

We take all of the comments and suggestions we receive to heart. That being said, we’re happy to bring you a much-requested new style of artificial stone panels called Fieldstone.

Fieldstone (also known as Flagstone) is characterized by its artsy, mosaic style. One very distinct feature of Fieldstone is that it comes to you in pieces made from 4 different molds, resulting in a less uniform and a more randomized, natural look. Flat stones of varying shapes and sizes are arranged organically, like natural puzzle pieces, creating a lovely, old New England feel, indoors or out.

Another important note about Fieldstone is that it is the only one of its style on the market that’s made of polyurethane – not concrete. So you’ll have no problem installing it yourself, no mason needed!

And as usual, we have tons of color options to choose from. Use Desert Sky’s mix of dusty reds and beiges to add warmth to your dining room, or the deeper grays and steels of the Smoke style to build a new fireplace.

As with the rest of our faux wall paneling and siding, you can install these all by yourself—or with a friend—without a mason. And the Fieldstone panels interlock both vertically and horizontally, just like a real tongue-and-groove installation. Check out more details and installation tips here.

Comment below with how you think Fieldstone will work to meet your decorating or remodeling needs, or post a review to help other readers make a choice. We want to hear from you – we really DO listen!