DIY Network

Finishes: Wall Coverage From "Blueprint for Home Building" episode DBHB-208

In the first segment of this "Finishes" episode, host Jeff Wilson went over the trim molding, hanging doors and the hardware choices for your doors, windows and cabinets. In this segment he talks about wall coverage.

Wall Coverage Options

• Paneling (figure A) can be used in many areas of the home to add comfort and beauty inexpensively. It should be installed in areas where it's climate controlled and there's humidity control.

• Chair Rail (figure B) is a piece of molding that surrounds a room. It's usually mounted 32" from the floor so the back of a standard chair will rub up against the molding or chair rail and not damage the paint or the wallpaper.

• Combine paneling and chair rail and you have wainscoting (figure C), which are panels that are 4' wide and 32" high. This is another great way to accent a home office, game room, living room or dining room. It's a versatile product that can be used almost anywhere in the home.

Figure A

Figure B

Figure C

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	Figure D
	Figure E

Ceiling Coverage

• If you thought wood paneling was only for walls, think again. Wood ceilings can be painted or stained and add an architectural interest to any room (figure D). Many homeowners choose to put wood panels or beams to match any flooring or trim they may have.

  Note: Keep in mind that buying woods that grow locally in your area can be more cost effective than importing them from another state.

  Tip: Don't throw away any extra trim you may have because you can use it to add a decorative accent to a ceiling.

• One popular option at the turn of the 20th century was a pressed tin ceiling (figure E). Today you can apply tin or aluminum to your ceiling to add a shiny high-tech look to the room.

• If wood or tin aren't to your taste, good old-fashioned paint can be used to finish your ceiling to add style and character. A popcorn ceiling is an extremely rough textured ceiling, and it's applied as a spray finish, and the primary advantage is that it's acoustic. The lumps and bumps and rough stuff actually deflect sound.

Figure F

Stairs and Railings

• Another distinctive feature in many homes is the stairs and railings (figure F). A stairway is made out of quite a few different parts:
  1. Treads that you step on.

  2. Risers are in-between the treads as you go up the stairway.

  3. Balusters are on the side.

  4. Newel posts are on the end.

  5. Railing that goes over the baluster and connects the newel posts at the top and the bottom.

• First, the newel posts are installed.

• Then the balusters are aligned with the stair treads.

• The railings are fitted and spindles installed, according to code.

In the next segment Wilson takes a look at the paint for your new home.

GUESTS :

John Holton
Senior Architect
Ibacos
Website: www.ibacos.com

Al Sain
Homeowner
7117 Fairway Dr.
Butler, PA 16001
Phone: 724-865-3056
E-mail: alsain@zbzoom.net

John Harmon
Licensed Contractor
Specialized Services
PO Box 1377
Sunset Beach, CA 90742-1377
Phone: 562-592-3831
E-mail: SpecEmail@aol.com

Pierre Abboud
Designer/Sales
We apologize no further information is available.

Skip Weahunt
Homeowner
E-mail: skip@ownerbuildercenter.com

Regina Zernay
CMTS, Inc.
Phone: 310-390-9558

Bob Miller
CMTS
E-mail: robertmillerpe@comcast.net

John Owens
Consultant
1265 South Camino Santiago Drive
Pueblo West, CO 81007

Monroe Makowsky
5357 Lemon Grove
#4
Lox Angeles, CA 90038
Phone: 323-469-2551

Tony Ramos
L.A.R. Services
Phone: 818-762-4025
E-mail: larservices-tony@yahoo.com