The Short Answer
Stikwood is the original peel-and-stick wood plank—we literally invented and perfected the idea. We created Stikwood to make real wood walls and ceilings simple to install. Before Stikwood, you had to be an experienced carpenter with specialized tools to create beautiful wood walls. With our contractor-grade, easy-to-use peel-and-stick planks, homeowners and pros can create real wood accents and features with less mess.
If you are just starting to explore Stikwood, this guide will help you understand what it is, how it works, where it fits, and how to decide whether it is right for your project.
What Is Stikwood?
Stikwood is real wood designed for interior walls and ceilings. Stikwood planks come with an easy-to-use peel-and-stick adhesive already applied to the back. You plan your layout, prepare the surface, peel away the backing, and press each plank into place. Stikwood makes creating wood accents in homes and businesses easy.
New to Stikwood?
Most projects come down to a simple path: choose the surface, select the finish, determine the amount, place the order, prepare for installation, and install plank by plank.
Pick the wall, ceiling, island, nook, or feature area where wood will make the biggest difference.
Choose the color, texture, and amount of natural variation that fits the room.
Measure the area, plan for cuts, and decide whether you need trim or finishing pieces.
How Does Stikwood Work?
Stikwood is as simple as the name implies: to install it, you peel the backing and stick each plank to your wall. Here is how a typical Stikwood wall is created:
- Choose your finish. Start with the look you want: rustic, refined, modern, warm, light, dark, weathered, or clean-lined.
- Measure your space. Calculate the square footage and add a little extra for cuts and layout decisions.
- Place your order. Place your order online and your wood will be handmade and shipped to you, typically arriving in 2–4 weeks.
- Prep the surface. The wall or surface should be clean, dry, smooth, structurally sound, and painted or primed.
- Install plank by plank. Set a level starter line, peel the backing, press each plank firmly, and continue across the surface.
That is the beauty of Stikwood: it gives you a real wood wall without asking you to become a full-time carpenter for the weekend.
How Long Does It Take to Install Stikwood?
The average 8-foot-tall by 8-foot-wide wall can easily be done in less than a day—not just the main install, but completely done, including cleanup. For step-by-step details, see the Stikwood installation page.
Because Stikwood is thin—about 1/8 of an inch thick—you don’t need to remove baseboards or window trim. Just butt Stikwood right up to them. Even outlets are a cinch: remove the plate, install the wood, and reinstall the plate. These are the details that make traditional wood installation difficult and time-consuming. Stikwood makes them easy.
Is Stikwood Real Wood?
Yes. Stikwood is made from 100% real wood. All of our woods are sustainable, many of them reclaimed, and we go out of our way to certify them so you can feel confident that what we say is true.
Real wood is beautiful, with each unique plank having its own natural variation. You may see differences in grain, tone, knots, saw marks, or weathering depending on the product you choose. Those variations are part of the finished look, not flaws to hide. We love real wood, and if you crave authenticity and nature-filled spaces, you’ll love our wood too.
We do our best on the site to capture the beauty of the wood, but this can be difficult with a natural product that has so much variety and character. If you want to see it up close before purchasing, you can order a sample.
Where Can You Use Stikwood?
Stikwood is designed for interior spaces, especially when you want a high-impact design change without major construction. Common projects include:
- Accent walls and ceilings
- Bedroom headboard walls
- Living room feature walls
- Kitchen islands
- Backsplashes in appropriate areas
- Fireplace surrounds with proper preparation
- Entryways and mudrooms
- Built-ins, nooks, and display areas
- Commercial spaces, hospitality projects, offices, and retail environments
The best projects usually have one thing in common: a surface that is ready for adhesive and a design goal that benefits from the warmth of real wood.
Where Should You Be Careful?
Stikwood is designed for interior spaces. Like any real wood product, it needs a stable environment and the right surface preparation.
Before installing, be careful with:
- High-moisture areas or non-climate-controlled spaces
- Unpainted or unprimed drywall
- Dirty, dusty, greasy, or really uneven surfaces
- Loose paint or wallpaper
- Exterior applications
- Surfaces that are not structurally sound
Project gut check
Clean, dry, smooth or normal texture, painted or primed interior surfaces where real wood can add warmth, texture, or a focal point.
West or moist surface or non-climate controlled space, loose paint or wallpaper, dusty surfaces, extremely rough texture—reach out to [email protected] and we can help determine if Stikwood will work.
If the wall is not ready, the finished project will not perform the way it should. Surface prep is not the exciting part, but it is the part that protects the result.
How Hard Is It to Install?
If you are at all crafty, Stikwood will be easy for you. The work is simple, so enjoy it, don’t rush, and be mindful when placing the planks. A good installation starts before the first plank goes on the wall: let the product adjust to the room, plan the layout, check your surface, and make sure the first row is straight. From there, the project becomes much easier.
How to Choose a Finish
The right finish depends on the room, the light, and the feeling you want the space to have.
- For a bright, relaxed space: start with lighter weathered or whitewashed finishes.
- For warmth and depth: look at medium brown and natural wood tones.
- For contrast: consider darker finishes that can frame a room or anchor a feature wall.
- For a clean modern look: choose finishes with quieter grain and a more refined surface.
- For rustic character: look for reclaimed, weathered, or more heavily textured options.
If you want help, we offer design consultations and a visualizer where you can see Stikwood on your wall using your phone or computer. You can also reach out to [email protected] or chat with us on the site.
What Should You Do First?
If you are early in the process, do not start by guessing. Start with three practical steps:
- Choose your wall or ceiling. Decide where wood will make the biggest difference.
- Check the surface. Make sure the wall or application area is clean, dry, smooth, painted or primed, and ready for adhesive.
- Determine how much you need. Include whether you need trim or other finishing pieces. Compare a few finishes in the actual room.
Once those three pieces are clear, the project becomes much easier to plan.
The Bottom Line
Stikwood is for people who want the warmth and authenticity of real wood with a simpler way to install. Stikwood makes real wood walls, ceilings, and accents far more approachable than traditional boards, nails, and construction work.
Browse Stikwood finishes to start planning your project, or order a sample if you want to see the wood up close first.
