Wainscoting is a lower-wall treatment that gives an upscale, formal look to a room. Wainscoting consists of three components: chair-rail molding, base molding and a series of design pieces in between, usually stock molding cut to resemble picture frames. Materials: Level
Measuring tape
Drill, with drill bits and a Phillips driver bit
Sandpaper
Nail set
Putty knife
Hammer
Miter saw
Stud sensor
Clamps
Safety glasses
- Measure the walls to be covered, and draw a layout of the room. Indicate the measurements of the walls on your drawing. Use the measurements to help you determine how much molding to purchase.
When purchasing molding, keep in mind that you will have to dust it periodically. - Use paper templates of different sizes to determine how large your panels should be and how many you'll need (figure A).
Your room probably already has base molding. If not, you'll need to install it first. - Determine the height for the chair-rail molding. Use existing chair-rail molding from other rooms as a reference. If no other rooms have chair rails, set your chair rail at 32" from the floor.
- Use a level to mark a reference line around the room at the height of the chair rail.
- Use a stud sensor to locate the wall studs, and mark their locations on the wall.
- Use a miter saw to cut the molding to fit each wall. Use 45-degree cuts for corners and 90-degree cuts where the molding will butt against a window or door.
Miter cuts can be made with a miter box or a power miter saw. The power saw can be intimidating for beginners but will make cuts more accurately and much faster than a miter box. - Prime and paint the molding.
Some molding comes already primed. - Use finishing nails to attach the molding to the wall at each stud. Drill pilot holes at the ends of each piece to prevent the wood from splitting.
- Measure and lightly mark the placement for the panels on each wall.
- Use the miter saw to cut the pieces for each panel. Cut each piece so that the panel will fit together like a picture frame.
- Apply a light coat of panel adhesive to the back of each piece of molding, and set the pieces in place. Secure them to the wall with finish nails (figure B).
For best results, use a level to check that each piece is plumb or level as you install it. - Use a nail set to drive the nail heads into the chair rail and panels below the surface of the wood. Fill the nail holes with wood putty, and sand them smooth when the putty dries.
- Use paint to touch up any nicks or scratches as well as the wood putty over the nail holes. Paint the interior of the panels as desired.
Wainscoting panels needn't be painted: a coordinating wallpaper can be installed in the interior of the panels.
RESOURCES :
Large miter saw
Bosch Power Tools
Website: www.boschtools.com
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