Wood Slat Room Divider Installation
A SKANDINAVIA wood slat room divider takes a few hours to install, DIY or with a contractor. The bracket system is self aligning: once the centrepoints are marked and aligned on the ceiling and floor, each slat seats at consistent spacing without individual alignment. Dividers are a permanent floor-to-ceiling installation, fixed to ceiling and floor brackets.
Slats are supplied in standard 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 ft lengths and are cut to fit on site. That is by design — floor-to-ceiling distance varies across a room, so each slat is measured and cut individually as it goes in.
Which system are you installing?
The two systems install differently. Check which one you ordered before you start.
| ROTERA (rotating) | FIXERA (fixed) | |
|---|---|---|
| Slat movement | Each slat rotates 360° after installation | Set at any angle you choose, then fixed permanently |
| Lengths available | 8 ft, 9 ft | 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 ft |
| Vaulted or sloped ceilings | Not available | Yes, with brackets fabricated to your ceiling pitch |
| Ceiling fixing | Push pin seats into a drilled hole | Bracket screwed in place |
| Floor fixing | Bracket screwed in place | Bracket screwed and glued |
| Order of work | Cut the slat, then screw the caps on | Attach the bottom bracket first, then cut the slat with the bracket in place |
| Cutting allowance | Cut 11/16″ (18 mm) shorter than the floor-to-ceiling measurement | Cut to the exact floor-to-ceiling distance, bracket included |
| Service access | Leave 1/4″ at the top and a slat can be lifted out later | Glued in place |
| Guide tool | Supplied with your order | Not required |
Before you start
Both systems need the same short list of tools. Hardware, screws and the ROTERA guide tool are included with your order.
- A self-levelling laser level or a plumb bob, to transfer centrepoints between floor and ceiling
- Drill and a 7/16″ bit for the ROTERA ceiling brackets
- A driver for the supplied screws
- A saw to cut the slats to length
- PL Premium construction adhesive
- Tape measure and pencil
Work out your slat count and spacing first, using Build & Price Your Divider or How Many Slats Do I Need? Spacing is decided before anything is drilled, because it sets where every bracket goes.
Installation guides
How to install ROTERA rotating wood slat dividers
Ten steps covering centrepoint marking, ceiling and floor brackets, cutting each slat to height, fitting the top and bottom caps, and using the guide tool to seat the push pin without marking the ceiling.
How to install FIXERA fixed wood slat dividers
Seven steps covering spacing (one slat every 5″ gives 3″ between slats; every 4″ gives 2″), attaching the bottom bracket before cutting, dry-fitting the run, then gluing and setting each slat to the angle you want.
Finding plumb points on the floor and ceiling
Several methods for transferring an exactly aligned centrepoint between floor and ceiling. Do this before marking any brackets — the whole run depends on it.
Installing on a vaulted or sloped ceiling
FIXERA only. We fabricate angle brackets to match your exact ceiling pitch, so the slats meet the ceiling cleanly along the slope.
Using extensions for tall ceilings
Needed above 9 ft in a veneered finish, or above 10 ft in Paintable or Stainable.
Common questions
How long does installation take? A typical divider goes up in a few hours. The self-aligning brackets are what make that possible — spacing is set once, at marking, rather than adjusted slat by slat.
Do I need a contractor? No. The system is designed to be installed by a competent DIYer with the tools above. A contractor is worth it for very high ceilings or a sloped install.
What if my floor is not level? That is expected, and it is why each slat is cut individually. Measure the floor-to-ceiling distance at every slat position rather than cutting them all to one length.
Can I change the spacing later? No. Bracket positions are drilled and screwed, so spacing is permanent. Decide it before you mark.
Still unsure which system suits your space? Contact us with your dimensions and we will advise.
