What is Tongue and Groove?

Tongue and groove paneling is a popular choice. It helps create a real log cabin look without spending too much money. Consisting of smooth wood, this product has beveled edges on all four sides. The name "tongue and groove" describes how the two wood panels fit together.

One side of the wood paneling has a projection called a “tongue” and the other side has an open slit called a “groove.”

This system, also called T&G, creates a smooth look. The panels fit together perfectly, making installation easy. 

Tongue and groove paneling can give a modern look to any room. Builders appreciate the hidden nails and the easy installation process. Those who prefer a minimalist style appreciate the simple finish of the wall. 

Tongue and groove walls aren't your only option: other popular styles you may have heard of are shiplap and nickel gap. I'll share more about shiplap down below so you can compare your options. 

Three main benefits exist for using tongue and groove for walls or ceilings.

3 Reasons to use Tongue and Groove Paneling and Siding

1. Great for High-Moisture Rooms

Because tongue and groove walls interlock, they're strong and don't warp easily. You may believe that wood walls are not suitable for bathrooms. This also applies to extremely wet areas, like an indoor pool. 

Tongue and groove paneling lets you create the look of pine, cedar, barn wood, or log siding. You can use it in places where people usually replace wood with drywall or tile. 

Another benefit of those interlocking parts is that they improve the room's strength. This is true whether you use T & G for your walls or ceilings. 

2. Genuine Log Cabin Look and Feel

Tongue and groove is eye-catching. If you choose high-quality wood for your walls, you can easily admire it for hours. The details in the wood grain are fascinating. 

Of course, not all tongue and groove is the same. First, you'll want to decide what type of wood you want for your walls or ceiling. 

3. Easy to install

The wood does most of the work for you.

Our tongue and groove panels come with the joinery ready to use. You just need to place the wood together. Then, reinforce it with some 2x4 beams and brad nails. Use a tapping block to protect the beautiful wood grain.

A much easier process to get right exists compared to dry wall, tile, or various other ways to build a wall. 

One of the main benefits of shopping directly with Northern Log Supply is that we offer 14 options. These options include pre-stained and pre-finished lumber. That means you can skip the painting, staining, and sanding.

The moment the wood arrives is when you can start putting up the wall. And you have more options to choose from so you can get the exact look you want. No need to settle for "good enough."

Types of Wood for Tongue and Groove Paneling

Tongue and groove paneling is a popular option for walls, ceilings, and siding. It provides a smooth, interlocking fit and a polished look. The kind of wood you select can influence your project's longevity, look, and upkeep needs.

Here’s a breakdown of the most common woods used for tongue and groove:

• Pine tongue and groove is one of the most affordable options, pine is lightweight and easy to install. It absorbs stain well and people often use it for ceilings, wall paneling, and adding a rustic interior design.
• Cedar is naturally resistant to moisture, rot, and insects. This makes it a great choice for outdoor siding and humid indoor areas, like bathrooms. It has a distinct grain and a pleasant natural aroma.
  
  
• Douglas Fir is stronger than pine and a bit more durable. It has a warm, reddish color that adds rustic charm to interiors.
  
  
• Spruce looks like pine but has a straighter grain and lighter color. This makes it a popular choice for affordable tongue and groove boards.

Picking the right type of tongue and groove wood is important depending on the type of room you plan to install it in. Our favorite option is tongue and groove pine paneling. With a low cost, great stain absorption, and lightweight, this is my go-to pick when I'm installing tongue and groove paneling.

What are the Downsides to Tongue and Groove Walls? 

Pros and cons are always important when picking any product, especially solid wood. I want you to have all the information you need to make the best decision. This will help you decide if a tongue and groove wall is right for you.

There aren't many, to be honest. This is especially true if you use high-quality lumber and do little maintenance. 

A challenge for some homeowners in extremely arid regions like Arizona, tongue and groove panels may contract. You can completely avoid this if you properly dry the wood. This is where it's crucial to source your wood from expert lumber providers like Northern Log Supply.

Ensure you inquire with the lumber mill about the wood's drying process - is it kiln-dried or air-dried naturally? To go even deeper, if it's kiln-dried, is it done in a few hours or over the course of several days?

At Northern Log Supply, we like kiln-dried panels. This process cleans the wood and gets rid of insects, mold, and fungus. As a result, each panel stays strong and does not need harsh chemicals for building. 

However, we kiln dry over several days to ensure even drying. Air-drying keeps color better, but slow kiln drying has its own benefits. It makes the wood stronger and more durable. This type of lumber is great for both indoor and outdoor use. 

You might also read some horror stories of tongue and groove cupping, pulling apart, or just generally warping. Again, this is all completely preventable so long as you source high-quality lumber.

3 Differences between Tongue and Groove and Shiplap

Shiplap walls have grown in popularity over the past 10 years as it's a mainstay design aesthetic used by Chip and Joana Gaines. 

At first glance, shiplap and tongue and groove seem alike. Nevertheless, there are key distinctions in design and setup. 

The main questions to ask are:

• Do you want to see nails from installation?
• Do you want space between the boards?

These are questions of taste and aesthetics, so there's no right answer here. 

1. Modern vs Traditional

Shiplap is ideal for a rustic, modern farmhouse style. Tongue and groove is a bit more rounded and traditional looking. 

To give you a better idea, check out some of these pictures that illustrate the differences.

Above is an example of shiplap. You can see some small spaces in between the individual panels, and that the boards are more "squared" off. That abrupt edge is consistent with a more modern design aesthetic. Compare that to the wall below, which features the tongue and groove style.

Because the beveling of the panels creates a smoother transition from board to board.

Overall, shiplap gives a more modern look, which might be perfect if you're going for a refreshed farmhouse style. 

Tongue and groove offers more of a traditional log cabin style that's a bit "warmer" or "cozier" depending on the beveling. Do you prefer the rounded panels (T & G) or the straight-edge panels (shiplap)? 

2. Cost

Shiplap costs less than tongue and groove per square foot. However, the seal on shiplap is not as strong. This is because shiplap does not have interlocking pieces like tongue and groove. 

3. Installation Ease

Shiplap is also a bit easier to install compared to tongue and groove because you don't need to interlock the panels as you go. 

For both styles, you can hide the nails easily. But if you prefer the rustic look of visible nails, then shiplap is the way to go. This is a more "niche" style, and not many people opt for it. 

Northern Log Supply has both shiplap and tongue and groove paneling available, direct from the forest. To finish your project, we offer many pre-finishing and pre-stain colors. This makes installation easier.

Complete Your Tongue and Groove Project

If you need tongue and groove lumber for your interior and exterior project, we can help at Northern Log Supply. We offer a wide range of choices. We ensure you get the help you need to match your budget with our products. And we are 100% sourced in the United States.

To emphasize the natural beauty of tongue and groove pine paneling, simply apply a clear coat to it. You can also pick a wood stain. Popular colors include “Gunstock” and “Country White.”

These options are from our pre-finish selection. They allow for cheaper and faster installation. Our friendly staff can help you from measuring to ordering through shipping and installation.