Transforming An Enclosed Breezeway: A DIY Journey with Royal™ Trim & Mouldings

Contributed By: Carli Alves / Made by Carli

An enclosed breezeway is more than a convenient passage from the home to the garage—it’s also a fantastic opportunity to create a unique and inviting space. A warm and welcoming entryway adds both style and functionality to your home. By thoughtfully designing and decorating your breezeway, you can increase its usable space and create a seamless transition between indoors and outdoors. Whether it’s used as a cozy sitting area, a practical mudroom or an elegant foyer, an enclosed breezeway offers endless possibilities to showcase your personal style and make a memorable first impression on guests.

I’m excited to share with you how I transformed my old, dated breezeway using Westlake Royal Building Products™. We installed Westlake Royal’s new Grove Collection beadboard on the ceiling and used Westlake Royal’s PVC shiplap planks on the walls vertically to reflect local New England charm.

Where We Started

The space was outdated and lacked character, making it feel bland and uninviting. The walls were chipped, old cedar shingles painted over several times, and the water stained ceiling didn’t contribute much to the overall aesthetic. It was screaming for a touch of creativity and quality materials to bring it to life.

Demolition: Starting Fresh

The space looked quite different after the demo, providing a blank canvas for the new look.

We began by demoing the space and removing old materials to make way for the new ones.

Installing Westlake Royal Building Products Grove Collection V-Groove Beadboard

Step 1: Gather Materials and Tools

Before starting the installation, ensure you have all the necessary materials and tools.

This includes:

Westlake Royal Building Products Grove Collection V-Groove Beadboard
Measuring tape
Level
Saw (for cutting the beadboard and shiplap to size)
Jigsaw for cutting around fixtures/obstructions
Nail gun and brad nails
Adhesive (optional)
Safety gear (gloves, goggles)

Step 2: Prep the Surface

Make sure the ceiling surface is flat and free of any protruding nails, screws or debris. If the surface is uneven, consider the use of strapping to level it. Proper preparation will ensure a smooth and professional finish for your project.

Step 3: Measure and Cut

Measure the ceiling area to determine the length of the beadboard panels you’ll need. Cut the beadboard panels to the correct size using your saw—leave at least a ⅜” gap for expansion. Make sure to measure twice to ensure accurate cuts.

Step 4: Install the First Plank

Start at one corner of the ceiling and measure ⅜” from the wall (or use a piece of scrap wood as a spacer) to ensure there’s room for expansion. Place the first beadboard plank, and secure it in place by nailing it to the ceiling joist or strapping with a nail gun. If you’re using adhesive, apply it to the back of the panel before positioning it. Secure the plank at each joist with a nail gun. Use a level to ensure that the planks are flush and there is no sagging.

Step 5: Continue Installation

Continue placing the beadboard panels, ensuring each panel fits snugly next to the previous one and then nail them in place.

Cut panels as needed with a jigsaw to fit around fixtures. For the final row, you may need to trim the last plank to fit perfectly. You can easily do this with a table saw or a jigsaw, using a straight edge as your guide for a clean cut.

Step 6: Finishing Touches

Once all the panels are in place, add trim or molding around the edges for a finished look.

We opted for a sleek, modern frame-style trim from the Grove Collection in natural cedar (insert trim name/#). We carefully cut the boards at 45° angles, touched up the exposed white edges with touch up paint, and secured them flat against the ceiling with brad nails. We completed the trim installation after the walls were in place.

Installing Nickel Gap Shiplap Planks Vertically on the Walls

Step 1: Prepare the Walls

Just like with the ceiling, ensure the walls are smooth and level, using strapping or shims as needed. This part of the installation was straightforward, much like the ceiling. This product is so easy to work with making it a great DIY project.

Step 2: Measure and Cut

Measure the height of the walls and cut the shiplap planks to the appropriate length. Remember to leave a small gap on the ends for expansion. And always measure twice to ensure accuracy.

Step 3: Install the First Plank

Starting at one corner, place the first shiplap plank vertically. Use a level to ensure that it is straight.

Step 4: Continue Installation

Place the next plank snugly against the previous one.

Continue this process until the entire wall is covered.

For the final row, you may need to cut down the last plank to fit. You can do this using a table saw or jig saw with a straight edge as a guide.

Step 5: Add Finishing Touches

Once all the shiplap planks are installed, add your baseboards and trim/moulding. Fill any nail holes with wood filler and touch up with paint if needed.

The Finished Look

We are thrilled with how this project turned out. Our old breezeway is now a welcoming, stylish space with a classic New England feel. Westlake Royal Building Products made it easy to achieve the look we desired. I hope this guide inspires you to take on your own home improvement projects!