Do you know the difference?

The Look

Shiplap has a rough sawn finish creating a rustic, more textured feel. Nickel gap has a smoother finish and creates an elegant, more modern look. 

Installation

Shiplap offers more flexibility in board spacing, but requires more effort to install. More time, more money. Nickel gap takes less time to install because it has built-in spacers.

Cost

Nickel gap can be less expensive overall to shiplap, only due to the installation time.

The Gaps

Nickel gap has consistent spacing between the boards, about the size of a nickel. Shiplap boards overlap each other creating a channel between each piece.

Examples shown above courtesy of Tilton Coffered Ceilings.

Choice

Now that you know the difference, which would you choose?