Basic
$15 – $39 per sq ft
Solid walnut 1x4 tongue-and-groove boards in character grade with sapwood streaks, blind-nailed, clear satin finish
How Much Does Walnut Paneling Cost in Chicago, Illinois?
Supply and install walnut wood wall paneling (veneer panels or solid tongue-and-groove boards) on an existing wall, finished, per square foot of wall.
Walnut Paneling in Chicago, Illinois typically costs $17 to $46 per sq ft as of 2026. Prices reflect local labor and material rates. Use our calculator below for a detailed, ZIP-code-adjusted estimate.
Walnut Paneling in Chicago, Illinois
$17 – $46
per sq ftPrices in Chicago are 19.0% higher than the national average for walnut paneling.
National average: $15 – $40 per sq ft
What you get at each price level
Standard
$17 – $46 per sq ft
Solid walnut 1x6 tongue-and-groove boards in select grade, blind-nailed, clear satin finish
Premium
$22 – $58 per sq ft
Solid walnut 1x6 tongue-and-groove boards in clear grade, long lengths, blind-nailed, oil finish, matching walnut cap and base trim
Cost Breakdown in Chicago
| Component | Category | Price Range | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | material | $7.22 – $19 | sq ft |
| Labor | labor | $6.83 – $18 | sq ft |
| Supplies & Other | supplies | $1.93 – $5.14 | sq ft |
| Equipment & Disposal | equipment | $1.28 – $3.42 | sq ft |
Prices adjusted for Chicago local market conditions.
Design styles
See how walnut paneling looks in each style, with photos of real projects by working designers.
Chicago style: Greystone traditional and industrial loft
Chicago's housing stock sets the style: greystones and two-flats call for traditional millwork, while converted lofts in Bucktown and the West Loop call for exposed brick, steel and open plan. Prairie School detail and mid-century bungalows are the third reference.
Work by Chicago designers first, then the styles Chicago draws from.
Built from
Industrial living room
Photo: Studio Code · Profile
Industrial bedroom
Photo: Studio MAK · Profile
Traditional living room
Photo: Emora Design Studio · Profile
Traditional interior
Photo: Jo Lyle & Co. · Profile
Traditional bathroom
Photo: Angela Rennie Design · Profile
Traditional bathroom
Photo: Jo Lyle & Co. · Profile
Traditional kitchen
Photo: Dogwood Proper · Profile
Traditional kitchen
Traditional living room
Photo: 615interiors · Profile
Cost Factors in Chicago, Illinois
What Affects Pricing
- Materials ($6.75-$18.00 per square foot)
- Labor ($5.25-$14.00 per square foot)
- Supplies & Other ($1.80-$4.80 per square foot)
- Equipment & Disposal ($1.20-$3.20 per square foot)
Local Price Adjustments
Material costs7.0% above avg
Labor costs30.0% above avg
Labor costs in Chicago run proportionally higher than materials, which may favor material-heavy solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
References
- New England Classic: Architectural Wall Paneling Pricing, newenglandclassic.com, retrieved Nov 2026
- Total Wood Store: Complete Guide to Wood Wall Paneling 2026, totalwoodstore.com, retrieved Nov 2026
- Construction wages by metro and rural area, used for the labor adjustment by ZIP code, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- Regional price parities for goods, used for the materials adjustment by ZIP code, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024
Get Free Estimates in Chicago
Connect with local walnut paneling contractors in Chicago for personalized quotes based on your specific project.