How to Glue Wainscoting Stiles to a Wall

Position the end of a tape measure at one end of the wall where you are installing the wainscoting. Ask another person to stretch the other end of the tape measure to the opposite end of the wall to determine the wall's total length.

Divide the wall length in half to determine the middle of the wall and then locate it with the tape measure. Draw a pencil mark on the wall to designate the middle.

Lean a wainscoting panel against the wall so it is centered on the pencil line. Lay a vertical stile next to it and then repeat the alternating process until you reach the corner of the wall. Ensure that the wall ends with a stile in the corner. If it does not, walk back to the center mark and move all of the panels and stiles down until the corner has a stile in it.

Insert a tube of high-strength polyurethane construction adhesive into a caulk gun. Cut off the tip of the nozzle using a utility knife.

Lay an 8-foot long wooden base rail along the floor and push it tightly into the corner. The base rail is used to support the vertical stiles in a level position. Place a level on top of the rail and insert wooden shims under the board if needed to level it. Attach the rail to the wall by applying a zigzag pattern of construction adhesive to the back of it and pressing it to the wall. Hold the board in place for 10 seconds. Add additional rails in the same manner along the entire wall.

Walk to the center of the room, or where the first stile is positioned. Turn the stile face down and apply a zigzag pattern of the adhesive to the back of it. Turn the adhesive toward the wall and push the stile onto it firmly. Place the level along the edge of the stile and make sure it is perfectly vertical. Hold it in place for 10 to 15 seconds.

Turn the adjoining wainscot panel over and apply construction adhesive to the back of it using the same zigzag pattern. Turn the panel adhesive toward the wall and push it up tightly against the first stile. Again, use the level to ensure the top it is vertically straight.

Repeat the process of gluing stiles and wainscot panels onto the wall until you reach the corner. Then walk back to the center of the room and perform the same procedure to install paneling and stiles to the opposite corner.