Costs
What Drives Feature Wall Cost
Updated 2 min read
The short answer
Feature wall cost in Calgary ranges from roughly $1,500 for a simple painted board-and-batten treatment on one wall to $15,000+ for a full-height slatted wood wall with integrated lighting, concealed media and custom joinery. The five variables that move the price most are material choice, surface treatment complexity, wall height, whether services are integrated, and whether the existing wall needs preparation.
Feature wall cost by approach
| Approach | Typical cost range | Timeline | What is included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Painted board-and-batten | $1,500–3,500 | 1–2 days on site | MDF or pine boards, paint, basic layout |
| Picture-frame moulding | $2,000–4,000 | 1–2 days on site | Moulding grid, paint, filling and touch-up |
| Vertical slat wall | $3,000–7,000 | 2–4 days on site | Solid wood slats, stain or paint, mounting system |
| Full-height panelling | $4,000–8,000 | 3–5 days on site | MDF panels, paint, integrated reveals, precise layout |
| Mixed-material wall | $5,000–10,000 | 4–7 days on site | Wood, stone, metal — multiple trades and junctions |
| Integrated media wall | $8,000–15,000+ | 5–10 days on site | Cabinetry, TV recess, wiring, lighting, concealment |
Want this applied to your space?
We design and build custom work for Calgary homes. A free consultation is the first step.
The five cost drivers
- Material
- MDF and pine are the cheapest substrates. Solid hardwood slats in walnut or white oak cost substantially more. Mixed materials (stone veneer, metal accents) add both material and trade coordination costs.
- Surface treatment
- A flat painted wall is the simplest. Vertical slats add material and a precise mounting grid. Fluted or reeded profiles require machined components. The more texture, the more fabrication time.
- Height
- A feature wall at 8ft is straightforward. Full height to 10ft or vaulted requires taller material, staging or scaffolding, and more precise layout. Going above 9ft adds 30–50% to the installation cost.
- Integrated services
- Concealing a TV, running power and data behind the wall, integrating lighting channels, and building a recess for the screen all add planning, electrical trade coordination and fabrication time.
- Site condition
- A flat, square, freshly painted wall is the best case. Removing existing panelling, repairing damage, levelling a bowed wall, or working around outlets adds time before any new material goes up.
Answers
Frequently asked questions
- Is a feature wall worth the cost?
- For most rooms, yes — a single treated wall changes the character of the entire space for a fraction of what a full room renovation costs. The exception is rooms where the wall treatment competes with a strong existing focal point like a fireplace or a view.
- Can I do a feature wall myself?
- Board-and-batten and picture-frame moulding are accessible DIY projects with basic tools and a level. Vertical slat walls require more precision in the mounting grid. Full-height panelling, mixed materials and integrated media are best left to professionals.
- Should I put the feature wall behind the TV?
- It depends on the wall. If the TV is the focal point, integrating it into the feature wall creates a cohesive composition. If the room has a fireplace that is the focal point, the feature wall is usually the fireplace wall — not the TV wall.
Ready to discuss your project?
We offer free consultations and fixed written quotes across Calgary.