Installation wainscot

That said, frame-and-panel wainscoting is by no means beyond the skilled amateur. Get ready to use your tape measure , though. For the installation to look right, you must figure out a design that allows the wainscoting panels to be of equal size. So if you are adding wainscoting to multiple walls, different walls can have panels of a different set size. During the planning stage, it also helps a great deal to settle on a finish. Another reason to get your ducks in a row before getting to work: You can buy prefinished wainscoting products, which can save you significant time.

There are further nuances and complexities involved in DIY wainscoting work that must be considered from the outset. Whether your home was recently built or has been around for more than a hundred years, wainscoting imparts depth and texture, giving any interior space a three-dimensional appeal that no mere coat of paint could possibly achieve, no matter how striking the color.

Disclosure: BobVila. You agree that BobVila. All rights reserved. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. Find trusted local pros for any home project. Check to see if the trim pieces are correctly aligned and level.

For better holding strength, use nails see the Note above. Fill in any gaps with caulk or wood putty. Insert each plank wall panel into the groove of the base trim. Each piece is tongued and grooved for a better fit and simple application. Begin at an inside corner and work left to right if you are right-handed, and right to left if you are left-handed. Keep the groove edge toward the starting corner, and the tongue edges toward your work direction.

Nailing top, bottom, and every 16 in. Allow space between planking for expansion and contraction. Measure and fit the next planks carefully. The last plank may have to be trimmed to fit into a corner. To complete the job, make sure all planks have been applied to the base trim correctly and check to see that the product is level against the wall. Then apply the chair rail on top of the planks after measuring for the correct length.

The chair rail is pre-grooved at the bottom to fit over the planks. For additional holding strength, use nails see the Note above. Regularly cleaning your planking with a damp cloth will leave it looking just like new. Choose water or a mild solution and avoid cleaning with acetone or any heavy-duty solvent.