How to Install Beadboard Wainscoting
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Highlights:
- Step 1: Remove the Baseboard Molding
- Step 2: Measure for the Wainscoting
- Step 3: Mark the Wall
- Step 4: Cut and Join the Strips
- Step 5: Attach the Strips
- Step 6: Cut the Sheets in Half
- Step 7: Drill a Hole
- Step 8: Apply Construction Adhesive
- Step 9: Place the Wainscoting
- Step 10: Tack the Wainscoting
- Step 11: Trim the Wainscoting Panel
- Step 12: Attach the Base Molding
- Step 13: Add a Chair Rail
Step 1: Remove the Baseboard Molding
Remove any baseboard molding around the room.
Step 2: Measure for the Wainscoting
Set a laser level to the desired height of the wainscoting (this project was 53-1/2 inches) so everything will be nice and level. Measure from the laser line down to where the baseboard will fit, based on the height of the wainscoting boards. Any imperfections in the floor will later be covered by the base molding.
Step 3: Mark the Wall
Based on these measurements, mark the wall with chalked twine at the point where the top of the MDF baseboard will go.
Step 4: Cut and Join the Strips
Rip the MDF into strips 5-1/2 inches wide. Cut the strips to length to fit around the base of the room. Wherever the strips meet along the straight portion of the wall, cut scarf joints so the pieces match up to hide the seam. One piece should be cut at a 15-degree angle to the front and the complementary angle on the back. Join the pieces in the corners with 45-degree angles.
Step 5: Attach the Strips
Attach the strips to the wall with 2" brad nails.
Step 6: Cut the Sheets in Half
Cut the 4 x 8 sheets of wainscoting in half.
Step 7: Drill a Hole
If there are any electrical or cable outlets or phone jacks exposed, measure and mark the location on the piece of wainscoting to make cutouts. Using a drill with a bit large enough to fit a jigsaw blade, drill a hole on the edge of the area to be removed. Be sure to drill within the mark, then cut around the marked area with a jigsaw, starting in the drilled hole.
Step 8: Apply Construction Adhesive
Liberally apply construction adhesive to the back of a wainscoting panel and hold up to the wall so the beading runs vertically.
Step 9: Place the Wainscoting
Place the wainscoting onto the wall with the bottom resting on the MDF strips that were added at the base. Quickly pull the panels off the wall part of the way so the adhesive becomes stringy and covers more area on the back.
Step 10: Tack the Wainscoting
Quickly tack the wainscoting down with 2-inch brad nails to keep them flat against the wall and prevent them from shifting.
Step 11: Trim the Wainscoting Panel
Unless the room's perimeter measurement is divisible by four, then a wainscoting panel will have to be trimmed to fill in the smaller gaps.
Step 12: Attach the Base Molding
After putting up the wainscoting, tack the base molding to the outside of the MDF at the base with 2-inch brad nails. Be sure the molding also has scarf joints to hide the seams.
Step 13: Add a Chair Rail
Finally, add a chair rail to the top of the wainscoting, using the same scarfing technique and brad nails as the wainscoting and molding.
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