How to Install Board & Batten Wainscoting

Remove existing baseboard and shoe moldings from the wall with a pry bar. Measure up from the floor 3 3/4 inches and mark the wall. Draw a level line using the level as a guide along the length of the wall. Check the measurement at several points along the line to ensure the distance from floor to line is a minimum of 3 1/2 inches. This allows for some variance in the floor.

Slide the stud finder along the level line with the "Find" button depressed. Mark the location of each stud just above the level line. Measure up from the level line 32 inches and mark the wall. Draw a second level line on the wall at the height of the mark. Hold the level vertical at each stud location and mark the studs just above the second level line.

Place a 1-by-4 against the wall with the top edge aligned with the bottom level line. Nail the 1-by-4 to the studs with two nails at each stud. Place a 1-by-3 against the wall with the bottom edge aligned with the top level level line. Nail the 1-by-3 to the wall with two nails at each stud.

Place the 1/4-inch MDF sheet against the wall between the chair rail and the baseboard. Nail the MDF to the studs with four nails at each stud location.

Mark the MDF every 8 inches at the top and bottom beginning at one end and working toward the other.

Raise the table saw blade to 1 3/4 inches. Set the table saw fence a 1/2-inch away from the blade. Place a 1-by-2 on edge and against the fence. Use a push stick to hold the 1-by-2 against the fence. Feed the 1-by-2 through the blade and use a second push stick to complete the cut. The cut 1-by-2 is a batten.

Add a 1/4-inch wide bead of construction adhesive to the cut side of the batten. Place the batter against the MDF centered on a top and bottom mark. Nail the batten to the MDF with three, evenly spaced nails.

Continue cutting and add battens to the wainscoting at each mark. Place a piece of cap rail against the top of the 1-by-3 and nail it to the studs. Cover the gap between the floor and the baseboard with 3/4-inch quarter-round and nail it to the baseboard or the wall studs. Do not nail the quarter-round to the floor.

Fill all the nail holes with wood putty and sand it smooth after it dries. Fill gaps in seams and joints with latex caulk and smooth it with a damp finger.