Can you install timber panels over asbestos walls?

KPD

Hi everyone - i’m new to this forum :-). I am wondering if anyone has any thoughts on adding wood panelling to an asbestos wall. I like the look of wood panelling and would like to do through many rooms however suspect the wall is asbestos (will get inspected) and so not sure if this is achievable without full removal (and cost). Any thoughts would be great. Thanks Kris

JacobZ

Hi Kris (@KPD),

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.

If the wall does turn out to contain asbestos sheeting, the main issue with adding timber panelling is that any drilling, screwing, or nailing into the sheet can disturb the asbestos fibres. Even small penetrations through nails or screws can release fibres if the material is damaged, which is why working with asbestos products is handled very carefully.

In theory, panelling could be attached using construction adhesive, but in most installations, adhesive alone is usually not considered sufficient. Timber panelling typically needs mechanical fixings such as nails or screws as well to keep it secure and prevent movement over time. Once you start introducing those fixings, you are piercing the asbestos sheet, which is where the safety and compliance concerns arise.

Because of that, many tradespeople and installers will decline to work on surfaces suspected to contain asbestos, particularly if the job requires penetrating the material. There are significant safety regulations around asbestos handling, and many professionals prefer not to take the risk unless the material has been properly removed first.

Your best step is the one you already mentioned, which is having the wall professionally inspected to confirm whether it is asbestos. If it is, it would be worth speaking with a few licensed asbestos removal companies about your plans. They can advise whether removal, encapsulation, or another approach would be safest before you install any wall panelling.

Allow me to tag @Nailbag, @Dave-1 and @TedBear for their thoughts.

Jacob