How to Make Cuts on Wainscoting on Stairs

Wainscoting is a wall treatment that runs along the lower half of the wall and protects it from nicks and dents while adding a touch of style to an otherwise plain surface. Staircase wainscoting must be an extension of the wainscoting on both the upper and lower landings and must remain uniform in appearance and alignment along the installation area. The process of making cuts to fit your stair-mounted wainscoting requires some carpentry skills and a few specialized tools.

T-bevel square
Level
Power miter saw
Wainscoting panels
Nail gun
Work gloves
Goggles

Instructions

- 1
  Install wainscoting on the walls that lead up to the staircase at the top and bottom levels. The wainscoting should stop at the edge of the staircase, where the upward and downward slopes begin.
- 2
  Use a T-bevel square to determine the proper angle at which to cut the wainscoting material. Place the T-bevel square against the wall on the top edge of the staircase base trim or skirt board. Use a level to position one leg of the square at a perfect vertical. Position the other leg so it lays on the base trim. The slope should remain uniform along the staircase, so only one measurement is necessary.
- 3
  Transfer the angle on the T-bevel square to a power miter saw. One arm of the square should line up precisely with the saw blade, and the miter guide should be adjusted until it lines up with the other arm. Cut a wainscoting panel at this setting to match the wall slope.
- 4
  Use a nail gun to fasten the cut panel to the studs behind the staircase wall. Repeat the cutting process for the next section of wainscoting.

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