Help › Install guide

Install guide.

Congrats on starting your space upgrade! Our panels are made for DIYers, and everything you need for a smooth, stress-free install is right below.

6 panel typesone step-by-step guide for each
Basic toolstape measure, level, saw, and a drill or adhesive
Walls & ceilingssteps for both, plus corners and outlets
Real peoplestuck? chat, email or text us

Step 1

Pick your panel

Opened from your order email? We’ve picked yours.

Step 2 · Your guide

Ultralight Slat

Trim-head screws through the felt in a groove, construction adhesive, or both. No acclimation needed.

Spec sheet PDF
No waiting

Ultralight can go up the day it arrives. No settling time needed.

Walls or ceilings

The best choice for a ceiling: the lightest panel, and only 9mm thin.

Start at a corner

Draw a plumb line at your most visible corner and work away from it, so the cut panel lands at the far end.

Have these ready

  1. Plan the wall

    Measure the wall and work out how many boxes you need. Start at the most visible corner and draw a plumb line.

  2. Fix the first panel

    Trim-head screws through the felt in the outermost groove at each edge, rows no more than 30″ apart (a bugle or pan head is too wide and sits proud). Or construction adhesive, or both.

  3. Butt the next panel up

    Each end carries half a V-groove. Push until the 45° chamfers seat and the two halves close into one full groove that matches the rest. No lip, no overhang.

  4. Curves and columns

    No rigid core, so Ultralight bends across the slats around curves and columns. Use adhesive and start from the tightest part of the curve.

Cutting tips

  • A utility knife and a straight edge are all you need. Score along the line, and a few passes give a splinter-free edge.
  • Practice on an offcut first. It's easy to drift off a straight line.
  • Cutting several panels? A circular saw is faster. Put painter's tape on the cut line and use a fine-tooth blade with 60+ teeth.
  • Sizing the felt only? A razor blade does it.
  • Outlets and switches: a jigsaw, multi-tool or sharp utility knife all work.

Care

  • Dust with a dry or barely damp cloth, following the grain
  • Vacuum the grooves on low with a soft brush head
  • Skip solvents, wax and steam

Indoor use only: not for bathrooms with a shower, saunas or outdoors

For those who love to read

How to install slat wall panels: the complete guide

Our long-form guide on //Slatted: every step written out in full, from planning the wall to the last panel.

Read the full guide

After delivery

Something not right?

Sort it before you start cutting.

FAQ

Install questions

Type a word and the list narrows as you go. No match? It searches the whole site.

Finishing & careA slat has a small splinter or lifted sliver. Can I fix it?

Yes, a dab of wood glue pressed down and held for a moment fixes most slivers. If something looks bigger than that, send us a photo.

Sizes & specsAre the Paint-Ready panels flexible?

No, Paint-Ready panels are rigid. For a curved wall, choose Ultralight.

InstallingAre the panels fire rated? Can they go near a fireplace?

Our panels are not fire rated. If a fire rating is required for your project, check with your contractor or local building code before ordering. Near a fireplace, keep the panels outside the direct heat zone and within the clearances your fireplace manufacturer specifies.

Discounts & promosAre you having a Black Friday sale? What if the price drops after I buy?

Keep an eye on your inbox for holiday sale details. Shop now with confidence: we guarantee our price for 60 days. If a promotion lowers it in that window, we'll refund the difference.

Orders & shippingCan I buy a single panel?

Panels are sold by the box. Shipping anything less than a full box carries a high risk of damage in transit, so a full box is the smallest quantity we can send out safely. Want to see a finish first? Order a sample.

SamplesCan I buy a single TrueWood sample instead of the whole kit?

TrueWood is sold as a sample kit, so you can compare every finish side by side. If you only need to see one finish, message us and we'll do our best to help.

Orders & shippingCan I cancel or change my order?

If your order hasn’t shipped yet, we can cancel it for a full refund. Pre-orders can be cancelled for a full refund any time before they ship. Just email hello@slats.co with your order number. See cancellations & pre-orders.

Orders & shippingCan I choose my delivery date, or have you hold my order until I'm ready?

We can't guarantee a delivery date, but we can hold your order. Tell us before it ships and we'll keep it here until you're ready. For freight orders, the carrier calls ahead to book a delivery window that works for you.

Discounts & promosCan I combine discounts?

Discounts don't stack. If more than one applies, like a code and volume pricing, you get whichever saves you more.

Returns & damageCan I exchange for a different finish?

Yes. Email hello@slats.co within 30 days of delivery with your order number and the finish you’d like. Then pick whichever suits your timeline:

Get it sooner: we charge and ship the new panels right away, and refund the originals once they arrive back and pass inspection.

Swap after return: you send the originals back first, then we ship the new panels and refund or charge the difference.

Return shipping applies either way. See returns & exchanges.

SamplesCan I get a real slat to match trim or stain?

Yes. We can supply a 9" piece of slat for color-matching trim, millwork or stain. It's a paid item. Message us and we'll send a quote.

Orders & shippingCan I get my order faster?

In-stock orders already ship the next business day. If you need a guaranteed delivery date, email us with your zip code and deadline. Expedited, guaranteed service is available on some orders and we'll quote it for you.

InstallingCan I install on concrete?

Yes, with a heavy-duty construction adhesive rated for masonry. Make sure the wall is clean, dry and dust-free, and run a straightedge over it first, since concrete seams can be uneven.

InstallingCan I install panels on the ceiling?

Yes, ceilings are one of our most popular projects, and Ultralight's light weight makes overhead installs much easier. Find and mark your joists, run the panels across them, fasten at every joist, and have a helper or prop board hold the panel. Full Accent panels go up with adhesive and finishing nails into a solid surface.

InstallingCan I install the panels horizontally?

Yes. Horizontal works well, and it's also the best way to wrap a tight bend: line the fold up with a felt gap between slats so the wood doesn't crack.

InstallingCan I mount a TV, shelf or mantel over the panels?

Yes. Anchor into the studs behind, through the felt gap between slats. The panels themselves aren't structural. Each product page has a spec diagram you can share with your hardware maker to check fit. We don't sell shelves or mounts.

Orders & shippingCan I pick up my order?

Yes. Collect from 12714 Hoover St, Garden Grove, CA 92841, any time 9:00am–5:00pm. We just need about 24 hours’ notice to have everything pulled and ready, and there’s parking right out front.

SamplesCan I return samples?

Yes. Send them back to SLATS.CO, 12714 Hoover St, Garden Grove, CA 92841 with your name and order number, and we’ll refund the cost of the samples when they arrive. Shipping charges aren’t refundable.

Finishing & careCan I use the panels in a bathroom, humid room or outdoors?

Yes, if there's no direct water and the room is well ventilated. Solid is our top pick for humid rooms because it's solid wood with a three-coat polyurethane finish. Ultralight also works if you add a coat of polyurethane. Never install in a shower or anywhere that gets wet. Our panels are for indoor use only.

InstallingCan I use the panels on a range hood?

Unfortunately, none of our panels are a good fit for range hoods. The heat and the tight curve are too much for them.

InstallingCan the panels go on plywood?

Plywood is ideal. It holds fasteners anywhere, so no stud-hunting. Use 1.5" screws over framing, or about 1" on a freestanding sheet so the tips don't poke through. Adhesive works great on clean plywood too.

InstallingDo the panels need to acclimate?

TrueWood Lite and Solid (walnut, oak and bamboo) do. Unbox them and lay them flat on the floor of the room they’re going in, out of the packaging and away from direct sun and heat, for 48–72 hours. Don’t stand them on end against a wall.

Sizes & specsDo you have a full, flat wood panel (no slats)?

Yes. Ultralight Accent has a continuous wood face with no felt showing, in Walnut and White Oak. Our Solid line comes in slatted panels only.

Sizes & specsDo you have a reeded or ridge panel in real wood?

It's in the works! We're developing a ridge (reeded) panel in solid wood. Join our email list to hear first when it launches.

Trade & volumeDo you have a trade program?

Yes, for designers, builders and contractors. Apply for trade; approvals usually come through within a business day.

Discounts & promosDo you offer a military, first responder or teacher discount?

Yes! Military, first responders and teachers get 10% off. Message us through chat or email hello@slats.co and we'll send you a one-time code. It can't be combined with volume pricing, trade pricing or other codes.

Orders & shippingDo you offer free shipping?

Most orders ship free to the contiguous U.S. Our longest panels (118″ and 141.6″) ship free on orders of 4 or more boxes; 1–3 boxes travel by freight, calculated at checkout. Samples and sample kits ship for $7.99, or free on orders over $70. Alaska and Hawaii are calculated at checkout. See shipping & delivery.

Trade & volumeDo you offer volume pricing?

Yes, on our 118″ and 141.6″ panels. The volume price for each product is shown on its product page and in your cart, and it’s based on the boxes in a single order. Volume pricing doesn’t combine with other discounts.

Lighting & trimDo you sell end caps, trim or top caps?

Not yet. We're developing aluminum end pieces with a wood-grain finish matched to our panels. For now, most customers finish the edges with solid hardwood trim from a local lumberyard. We don't sell baseboard or molding.

SamplesDo you sell samples?

Yes, and we recommend them before you order. Single samples start at $3.99, and sample kits with every finish in a line start at $12.99. TrueWood comes as a kit so you can compare every finish. Shop samples and kits.

Orders & shippingDo you ship outside the US?

We currently ship within the United States only.

Orders & shippingDo you ship to Alaska and Hawaii?

Yes. Shipping to Alaska and Hawaii is calculated at checkout. Freight to the islands can be expensive, so check your cart total before you order. We don't ship outside the United States.

Pre-orders & stockDo you still sell American Red Oak or Diamond White?

No, both have been discontinued. If you liked the warmth of red oak, our Solid American Oak runs a warmer tone and is the closest match we offer. Want a color like Diamond White? Our Paint-Ready panels can be painted any shade.

Trade & volumeHave a large project?

Email hello@slats.co with your project details and we’ll put together a quote.

Orders & shippingHow do I change my shipping address?

Email hello@slats.co with your order number and the correct address as soon as possible. We can update it any time before your order ships.

InstallingHow do I cut the panels? (Cutting guide)

Cutting is easy with the right tool for your panel line.

Ultralight: a utility knife and a straight edge. Score along the line and a few passes give a clean edge. You can also use a saw with a fine-tooth blade (60 teeth or more) and painter’s tape on the line. It’s faster, not cleaner, so practice with the knife first. TrueWood Lite and Solid: a track saw or circular saw, with painter’s tape along the cut line so the veneer doesn’t chip. For light switches, outlets and arches, use a jigsaw with a fine-tooth blade.

Returns & damageHow do I send a return?

1. Ask us first. Email hello@slats.co with your order number. We’ll reply with your return approval and where to send it. Returns that arrive without approval can’t be accepted.

2. Pack it carefully. Use the original box with all the foam, side and corner protection, tape every seam and both ends, and remove or cover the old shipping labels. Damage from loose packing is deducted from your refund.

3. Ship it back. Use your carrier of choice (we recommend UPS), or ask us for a prepaid label and we’ll deduct its cost from your refund. See return shipping costs.

Discounts & promosHow do I stop text messages?

Reply STOP to any text from us and you’ll be unsubscribed right away. Reply HELP for help, or email hello@slats.co. See our text messaging terms.

InstallingHow do the panels go up?

With screws or construction adhesive. Ultralight Slat: #6 or #8 wood screws, 1.5–2″ long, through the felt between the slats (trim-head screws hide best), or adhesive. Ultralight Wide and Accent: construction adhesive only. TrueWood Lite and Solid: adhesive, or screws placed between the slats. Each line’s full steps are in the install guides below.

Trade & volumeHow does trade and volume pricing work across several projects?

Pricing is based on the number of boxes in a single order, not your total over time. Combining several projects into one order is the easiest way to save.

Orders & shippingHow long until my order arrives?

In-stock orders ship the next business day and usually arrive within 1–6 business days. We ship every order from Southern California, so West Coast orders arrive sooner and East Coast orders toward the end of that range. Pre-orders ship around the date shown on your order, and we’ll email you if anything changes. We can’t guarantee a specific delivery date. See shipping & delivery.

Sizes & specsHow many boxes do I need?

Pick your panel and ceiling height, then enter your wall width. We’ll round up to whole boxes.

Your panel
Ceiling height
Wall width
–boxes

Enter your wall width to see how many boxes.
Shop

Rounded up to whole boxes for one wall at full panel height. Add a box if you’ll cut around windows or doors.

SamplesHow much is shipping on samples?

Samples and sample kits ship for $7.99, or free on orders over $70.

Finishing & careHow should I store the panels before installing?

Lay them flat on the floor of the room they're going into. Never stand them on end against a wall, because solid wood can warp.

Discounts & promosI forgot to use my discount code. Do I need to cancel and reorder?

No need to cancel. Email hello@slats.co with your order number and the code, and we'll refund the discount to your original payment method. It usually shows up in 1–2 business days.

Trade & volumeI need 40+ boxes. How do large orders work?

Email hello@slats.co with your product, quantity and timeline, and we'll send a custom quote. Large orders ship by freight on a pallet, so you'll need a forklift on site or be ready to unload the boxes by hand from the truck. Custom bulk quotes are paid in full up front and are non-refundable.

Returns & damageI received the wrong item, or something is missing

Sorry about that. For a wrong item, send a photo of the panel and the label on the top edge of the box, and we’ll ship the right one, usually the same day. Keep, donate or discard the wrong panels. For anything missing, just tell us and we’ll refund or reship it.

Pre-orders & stockIf I order more later, will the color match my first order?

Every panel is real wood, so color varies a little between production runs. For the most consistent look, order everything for a wall at the same time. If you're adding to an older Oak project, email us. We changed our Oak to a slightly lighter tone in 2026 and can tell you how to blend the two.

Sizes & specsIs it real wood?

Yes, every line is real wood. Solid is solid hardwood all the way through. TrueWood Lite has a solid rubberwood core wrapped in real veneer on three sides. Ultralight is real wood veneer on felt with no core, which is why it's so light and flexible. Paint-Ready is a primed panel made for painting.

Pre-orders & stockIs the pre-order ship date guaranteed?

It's our best estimate based on when the next production run reaches our warehouse. Shipping schedules can shift, so we can't guarantee it, but we'll email you right away if your date changes. How pre-orders work.

Discounts & promosMy code says it has reached its usage limit. What happened?

Most of our codes are single-use and work one time per customer. If you haven't used yours yet, message us with the code and your email and we'll sort it out.

Orders & shippingMy order is shipping by freight. What happens?

Larger orders travel by freight. The carrier calls you within 24 hours of delivery to book a window that works for you. Most freight orders arrive as individual boxes. Very large orders come on a pallet: if there’s no forklift on site, the driver unloads it carton by carton.

Returns & damageMy panels arrived damaged. What do I do?

We’re sorry! Send us photos of every damaged panel, the box and the shipping labels at hello@slats.co, and we’ll make it right, with a credit or a replacement depending on the damage. You won’t need to send the damaged panels back.

Orders & shippingMy tracking says a label was created, but nothing is moving. Is something wrong?

A label is created when we start preparing your order, and tracking only starts moving once the carrier picks it up. If your order includes a pre-order item, the label can be created before that item arrives in our warehouse. If you haven't seen movement after a few business days, email hello@slats.co with your order number and we'll check on it.

SamplesMy Ultralight sample arrived slightly curved. Is that normal?

Yes. Ultralight is real wood on a flexible felt backing, so it’s made to bend a little rather than stay rigid. The full panels do the same, and that flex is what lets them follow a curved wall.

Pre-orders & stockOnly a few boxes are left. Can you hold more for me?

We can't reserve stock without an order, and a single large order can clear our inventory quickly. If you know you'll need the panels, the safest move is to order now. We're happy to hold the shipment until you're ready for it.

Sizes & specsWhat lengths do the panels come in?

Most lines come in 8, 9 and 10 ft. Solid comes in 8, 9 and 12 ft.

SamplesWhat's the difference between the Wide and Accent samples?

Ultralight Wide has 4" slats with two shadow lines on the face. Ultralight Accent is a smooth, continuous wood face with no gaps. If you want a solid wood look with no felt showing, choose Accent.

Returns & damageWhat’s your return policy?

You can return new, unused panels within 30 days of delivery, in the original box with all the packaging. Every return needs our approval first, so email us before sending anything. Return shipping is paid by you (we recommend UPS), and items bought on sale can’t be returned. Once the panels arrive and pass inspection, we refund within 24–48 hours, and it takes 2–4 business days to show on your card. Read the full return policy.

Pre-orders & stockWhen will a sold-out item be back in stock?

If the product page shows a pre-order date, that's when we expect it to ship. If it just says sold out, tap 'Notify me' on the product page and we'll email you the moment it's back. How pre-orders work.

InstallingWhere do I find installation instructions?

Every product page has an install guide under the product details, and you can download each line's spec sheet and install guide below.

Orders & shippingWhere do you ship from?

Every order is packed and shipped from our warehouse in Garden Grove, California.

InstallingWhere exactly do the screws go?

On slatted panels, screws go through the felt in the gaps between slats, never through the wood face. Use #6 or #8 wood screws, 1.5–2" long, with a small pilot hole. Trim-head screws are least visible, and a permanent marker that matches your felt color makes the screw head disappear.

Orders & shippingWhere’s my order?

Here’s how to find it:

1. Check your shipping email. When your order ships, we email you a tracking link. Search your inbox (and spam or promotions folder) for “slats.co”.

2. Or sign in to your account. Go to My orders and enter the email you ordered with. We’ll send you a one-time code (no password needed), and you’ll see every order and its tracking.

3. Freight orders: larger orders travel by freight, and the carrier calls you within 24 hours of delivery to book a window that works for you.

Pre-order? It ships around the date shown on your order, and we’ll email you if anything changes. Your tracking may say “label created” until the carrier picks it up.

Still can’t find it? Email hello@slats.co with your order number and we’ll check on it for you.

InstallingWhich construction adhesive do you recommend?

We recommend Liquid Nails. If you're using adhesive, tack the panels with finishing nails while it cures. The adhesive does the holding.

Sizes & specsWhich panel line is right for me?

Ultralight is real wood veneer on felt: light, flexible and cut with a utility knife. TrueWood Lite wraps each slat in real wood veneer on three sides, for real slat depth. Solid is solid walnut, oak or bamboo all the way through, up to 12 ft. Paint-Ready is fluted panels you paint any color.

InstallingWill the panels bend around a curve?

Ultralight will. It flexes horizontally, across the slats, so it wraps around columns and curved walls. It won’t bend along the length of the slats.

No answer for “” yet.Ask us directly by live chat, email or text (833) 657-7116, or search the whole site.
Vutha and Paula from Slats.co

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Hi, we're Vutha & Paula.We’re a small team in Garden Grove, CA. No bots, no ticket numbers.

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