What are the Different Types of Faux Panels?

Faux panels come in a wide variety of sizes, finishes and patterns. They can be an affordable and easy alternative to the real thing, and with a little bit of creativity can present a versatile decor option for areas throughout the home. From metal to stone to bamboo, there are several choices within the types of faux panels.

Outdoor options for decorative panels include those that can be used as siding or along foundations. These weather-resistant types of faux panels can be found in styles such as red, gray or brown brick, and in a number of stone finishes. Depending on the style of the house, it may be appropriate to add faux panels finished in the shape of smooth, round river rocks, or in jagged, rough-hewn rocks that resemble a hand-built country wall. For a more distinguished look, some faux rock panels are designed to look as though they were cut from straight-edged rock. Even the depth of these panels can vary; some are designed so the faux rocks stand out from the mortar to form a very distinctive shape and pattern, while others have a more smooth and finished look.

There are also many types of faux panels designed to look like wood. Available in a wide variety of stains, there are panels that look like almost any type of wood product. From oak and maple to walnut and cedar, many wood panels have details down to the wood grain that can make them suitable for indoor projects that will be viewed under close inspection.

Metallic faux panels can be an excellent way to add eye-catching accent pieces to almost any room inside the home. While many types of indoor panels are made of tin, they can be finished to look like metals from bronze to copper to chrome. Depending on the desired look and location of the panels, hammered and decorative panels can also be powdered and painted to look like ceramic Victorian trim or art deco accent pieces.

There are also some unique types of panels that some do-it-yourself types may not consider at first glance. Some faux panels come in bamboo, which can be suitable for outdoor or warm-weather projects. There are also a wide variety of elegant marble panels for homes looking for a more refined appearance. Coral stone panels have a pitted and worn look, while travertine panels have an Old World, natural and textured appeal. Some panels also come in small sizes that are suitable for finishing columns, pillars or mailbox posts.