Cutting Wainscoting for Stairs

Measure the length of the staircase to ascertain how much wainscoting is required. Add approximately half a meter to the total amount, as it's better to have too much than not enough, and any excess can be cut away and discarded.

Select the wainscoting for your project. Wainscoting panels come in different widths and in a variety of different finishes. If the existing staircase is wood, select wainscoting panels that match it. Alternatively, the panels can be painted.

Position a spirit level vertically on top of the trim of the staircase, ensuring the bubble is central.

Place the handle of a T-bevel square so it sits flush along the staircase trim. Move the blade of the square to sit flush against the vertical spirit level.

Lay the square on the table part of your table saw. Position the blade of the square so it is flush against the saw blade, and position the handle so it is flush against the miter gauge of the saw. Alternatively, use an angle finder to establish the angle of the stairs. Position one arm flush against the stair trim, and the other arm vertically against the vertical spirit level.

Cut the tops and bottoms of the panels once you have established the correct setting on the miter gauge. If you don't have a table saw, simply transfer the angle onto the back of each panel by positioning the angle finder or T-bevel square on the panel and drawing a pencil line to indicate the angle to be cut, then cut along the line with a standard hand saw.