DIY Network

How to Install Wainscoting From "Man Caves" episode DMCV-201

Gary Dell'Abate, also known as Baba Booey on The Howard Stern Show that he produces, wants an upscale sports bar built in his large unfinished basement, but he needs help making it happen. That's where hosts Jason Cameron and Tony "the Goose" Siragusa enter the picture. They sign on to help him tackle the project, step by step. Below are instructions for adding custom wainscoting to create an elegant, finished look, as was done for Dell'Abate.

* Note: The steps are for a complete application, including both wainscoting and baseboard.

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Before purchasing materials, you first need to plan your application. Measure out the amount of square footage you will need by multiplying the length of the wall space by the height you want the wainscoting to reach. Then, come up with a design plan. It is imperative to know beforehand where each panel will end up as this will allow you to make necessary adjustments and cuts.

Materials:

wainscoting kit, including baseboards and chair rails (cherry veneer was used for Dell'Abate's room)
shims (small wooden wedge that's a couple of centimeters thick)
level
construction adhesive
16-gauge nail gun

Steps:

1. Remove any outlet covers and old baseboards and then lay out the new pieces of baseboard on the floor. Be sure to have extra pieces on hand in the event that you have to customize the length and width to fit certain areas. Start at one corner, placing the baseboard along the floor flush against the door or wall, and work your way around the room until you reach the end. You may have to cut off some of the ends as you go.

Figure A

3. With the baseboard pieces flush, lift up the first piece and slide a shim underneath (figure A) and then again at various intervals, around the room. Doing so will allow you to apply the baseboard to the wall on a horizontal track and account for any fluctuations in the floor.

4. Apply construction adhesive to the backside of each piece of baseboard and then flip it onto the wall, using both the shims and a level to make sure it's straight. It needs to be completely level along its entire track rather than running along the floor as this can cause problems down the line. Nail into place at a downward angle.

5. Slide the panels into the channel of the baseboard, one at a time, and press into place. Now you're ready to add the styles to each side of the panel. Following the same step as above, apply adhesive to the back of each style and place the tongue into the groove of the panel and press in place (figure B). Continue around the room, making sure each is level.

6. Once all the panels and styles are on the wall, slide each chair rail piece into the groove atop the panels, apply glue and then use the nail gun to secure.