How to Build Wainscoting on Walls

Measure Twice, Cut Once

• 1

  Measure the dimensions of the walls to be wainscoted. Remove paneling and baseboards for accurate measurement. Wainscot is applied to bare walls, not over other surfaces.

• 2

  Determine the height of your wainscot. A standard height for a chair rail is 31 1/2 inches, but the rail can be higher or lower depending on the height of your ceilings. Wainscoting can go much higher, up to 3/4 the height of the room but will be finished with a flatter molding or a narrow shelf instead of a chair rail.

• 3

  Calculate supplies you will need and allow at least a 5 percent margin for error if this is your first job. Mitering corners can use more paneling and molding than you anticipate, and material requirements are unforgiving.

Carrying Out Your Project

• 4

  Confirm the height of your wainscoting by making a chalk line against the wall. Stretch the line from one end of the wall to the other, rub the line with chalk and snap it to mark the wall. This will make certain that all beadboard lengths line up evenly.

• 5

  Pre-cut the beadboard lengths to the size needed. Use a single sample piece of wood to measure all other pieces. Using a single sample, rather than marking piece C from piece B, helps keep the length consistent.

• 6

  Start fastening beadboard with the nail gun on your longest wall, beginning at a corner. Nail both top and bottom, fit in the next piece (tongue and groove), secure that with nails and continue to the end of the wall.

• 7

  Measure chair rail and baseboard moldings, and cut necessary corners using the miter board. Attach the chair rail and baseboard moldings with finish nails. You are ready to stain or paint.