Wall treatment expert Jamie McKeon demonstrates how to use and install wainscoting in a home.
Wainscoting, a decorative element originally designed to protect walls from damage by chairs, adds warmth, texture and dimension to any room. It is a simple way to give any room a complete "facelift." Wainscoting does not refer just to paneling on a wall, but to a treatment that consists of a chair rail, paneling and a floor border.
Georgia Pacific features thin, lightweight, pre-planked hardwood panels that look like individual boards but can be installed in half the time. The pre-sanded, unfinished panels can be painted or stained, and it's a good idea to do so prior to installation. Stained panels should be finished with a coat of varnish.
Pre-cut panels can be anywhere from 24 to 34 inches high, but 32 inches is the general height of wainscoting. For a shorter wainscoting, follow the manufacturer's instructions and cut the panels with a saw; for a taller treatment, finish the wainscoting with a wallpaper border.
Attach the panels to walls with finishing or paneling nails. They are available in a range of colors that coordinate with applied finishes. Along the edges of the panels, nail them to wall studs. At the center of the panels, place nails every 18 inches. Pre-drilling nail holes is acceptable, but unnecessary. Be sure to protect your eyes with safety glasses.
Finish the wainscoting with a chair rail, allowing it to slightly cover the top of the panel. Countersink the nails, fill in any indention with putty, and paint. At the bottom of the panels, install a base molding.
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