faux sho'
The difference between bad faux brick paneling and acceptable* is how well you hide the joints. Turns out there's a trick.
Brick panels are cheap. Even with this technique or adding a heavy german schmear they will never look as good as thin brick or actual brick. That's okay. Acceptable is acceptable.
The key to getting a more natural look between panels is to cut the sheets to fit together like a zipper or puzzle.
01
Get your first panel temporarily positioned to understand layout.
02
Cut out all half bricks facing your first seam.
03
Flip the first sheet on to number two and mark it up.
04
Use scrap to elevate as needed and check level. Screw to studs, not just finish nails.
05
I actually recommend joint compound but that's not how the saying goes.