INTERIOR
Beadboard Installation Cost: Per Square Foot in 2026
Estimate beadboard installation cost per square foot — with the free interior calculator.
Beadboard panels bring classic vertical texture to bathrooms, kitchens and hallways — cheap material, fast install. Here's the real 2026 cost.
THE SHORT ANSWER
The short answer
Beadboard runs $7–$15 per sq ft installed in 2026 (range $6.50–$20). Materials run $2–$5 per sq ft; labor $4–$8. A typical bathroom runs $400–$1,000. PVC beadboard for wet areas runs a bit more.
What it costs
Beadboard panels run $7–$15 per sq ft installed (Homewyse: $6.50–$10; Angi: $7–$20). Materials run $2–$5 per sq ft; labor $4–$8. A typical bathroom wainscoting runs $400–$1,000. Solid wood runs more than MDF and PVC.
- Installed: $7–$15 per sq ft
- Materials: $2–$5
- Labor: $4–$8
- Bathroom typical: $400–$1,000
Beadboard vs tile
Beadboard is a fraction of tile cost and installs in a day. It works as wainscoting, ceiling or full wall. The tradeoff: not as waterproof as tile — use PVC beadboard in wet showers. MDF must be sealed in humid areas.
Try the interior calculator
Enter the wall area and per-sq-ft rates to estimate the job.