Installing Wainscoting

Check out more ways to add character to your walls from Rip & Renew.

Rip & Renew : Episode HRIPR-204 -- More Projects »
PHOTO

Wainscoting in this dining room adds visual interest and makes the room look bigger.
Materials:

protective eyewear
tape measure
level
nail gun
miter saw
pry bar
nails
carpenter’s glue
5-inch wainscoting panels
baseboard
chair rail

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Figure A - The backside of the baseboard is notched, so the wainscoting will easily slide behind it.
Steps:

1. Put on protective eyewear.

2. Measure the area you wish to install wainscoting.

3. For our project, we chose baseboard with a notch in the back (figure A) that allows the wainscoting panel to easily fit behind it. Using a miter saw, trim the baseboard where needed to ensure a correct fit.

4. Fasten the baseboard to the drywall using carpenter's glue and a nail gun.

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Figure B - Glue and nail wainscoting panels.
5. Apply carpenter’s glue to the back of the panel (figure B) and then slide the wainscoting into the notch on the backside of the baseboard. Attach the wainscoting to the wall using a nail gun.
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Figure C - Check vertical levels after every panel.
6. Place the level horizontally and vertically (figure C) against the first piece of wainscoting to make sure it’s straight and level.
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Figure D - Nail chair rail to the top of the wainscoting.
7. After the baseboard and wainscoting are installed, use the nail gun to fasten the chair rail above the wainscoting panels (figure D). The chair rail will need to be measured and cut with the miter saw to ensure a correct fit.

8. Patch the nail holes and touch up the painted or stained wainscoting and enjoy your new architectural detail.

Also in this Episode
Rip & Renew : Episode HRIPR-204
•Kicking Up the Kitchen
•Installing Wainscoting
•Installing Laminate Flooring