Easy-To-Build Wainscoting

This wainscoting project can be created easily with three 1 x 6 inch boards that are placed horizontally around the room.

Add vertical boards that are 1 X 4 inches in size approximately every 27 - 30 inches apart to create wainscoting panels. This method uses the actual wall as the panel.

You'll be impressed with the outcome of your project.

1. Remove existing baseboard and repair any wall imperfections. Paint the walls.

2. Typical height for this project is 31 1/2 - 32 inches from the floor. Measure up the wall and make a level line around the room. Use a stud finder to locate and mark stud locations. Be sure to mark the stud locations in a way that they will remain visible to you. (Example, pieces of masking tape on the floor)

3. Attach the 1 x 6 inch top board to the wall at the 31 1/2 or 32 inch line, with the bottom of the top rail resting on the line.

4. Attach the bottom 1 x 6 inch board parallel to the top rail at 9 inches above the floor. (This may need to be adjusted slightly to accomodate electrical outlets)

5. Locate the best positions for vertical boards and mark them with masking tape. The vertical boards can be varied in position 1 - 2 inches either way, but not more than that, as the wainscoting panels may begin to look unbalanced.

Example - if you have 27 inches between two vertical boards, the next board can be as little as 25 inches to as much as 29 inches away. Taking care that one panel won't look too square and another too long. If this occurs, your panels will not look uniform when your wainscoting panels are completed.

6. Cut the vertical boards to desired width - usually around 4 inches wide and position them according to your previous masking tape marks. Attach them with finishing nails.

7. Nail 1 x 2 inch filler board strips to the base of the wall, near the floor. Then attach the 1 x 6 inch baseboard to the filler strip and lower rail board.

8. If desired, the top rail board can be topped with a cap molding. This addition creates an elegant appearance.

9. On the inside edges of your panels, mitre the ends of 1/2 inch quarter-round trim and attach.

Also, attach 1/2 inch quarter-round trim to the top of the baseboard, resting against the bottom rail.

Purchase long boards for the top and bottom rail boards - this will eliminate a junction in the middle of the wall.

Begin with the longest wall without doors or windows and establish the panel sizes (keeping in mind the acceptable variances in distance between panels).

Try to create panels of equal size. You can continue to change your masking tape lines until you get the best panel sizes that you can. Be sure that the vertical boards won't be in the way of electrical outlets.

Smaller panels can be make in the corners of the room, as long as they are the same size on each end.

Under windows and around doors, there isn't really a choice but to reduce the panel size. Reduce the width of the top rail under the window trim to 2 1/2 inches wide and also the vertical board alongside the window trim to 2 1/2 inches. Place a vertical board under the window at the center.

If you happen to have a situation where you need to attach a vertical board and there is not a stud to attach it to, use construction adhesive. Apply adhesive to the back of the board and use finish nails to hold it in place while the glue sets.



Finishing

If you are painting your wainscoting, you can buy less expensive wood for your project.

Sand the rails before adding the baseboard and molding. Sand with 100 grit sandpaper.

If you choose staining for your wainscoting, you may want to use a higher grade wood with similar grain for each piece. Sand your boards with 100 grit sandpaper and then a second time with 150 grit sandpaper.

After your moldings are attached, give your boards a final sanding to smooth any sharp or rough edges.

Continue on with your finishing choice of paint, stain, or clear varnish to complete your wainscoting project.

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