How to Install Wainscotting

Wainscoting comes in ready-made panels and pieces that get applied directly to your walls with a panel adhesive that comes in a tube and gets applied with a caulk gun. Gone are the days when homeowners fashioned a makeshift wainscoting from old barn boards or recycled lumber. You can still go that route if you wish, though you will need a different set of instructions if you do.

Things You'll Need

• Wainscoat panels, baseboard and top cap
• Small nails or brads for the baseboard and top cap
• Adhesive in a caulking tube
• Caulking gun
• 16 ounce hammer
• 2-foot level
• Circular saw with high-speed blade
• Tape measure
• Electric drill
• Electric scroll saw

Instructions

How to Install Wainscotting

1. Acquire all materials that are necessary, including the wainscoting and have them on site. Then select the wall surface where you plan to work and remove all obstructions or loose pieces of wallpaper. If the wall is dirty, you can wash it with soap and water in order to create a better surface for the adhesive. Also remove all covers on existing electrical outlets.

2. Install the base board with small finish nails. Many times the baseboard manufacturer will supply these items along with the baseboard. First, make sure the baseboard is level, then go ahead and nail the baseboard to the bottom plate (this part of the wall is continuous at the floor level) and the wall studs (these are 16 inches on center). Drive the nails until they are flush with the surface of the baseboard. In extreme cases (sometimes found in a very old house), you may have to cut the bottom of the baseboard to get a level run along the top edge of the baseboard.

3. Install the wainscoat panels. Find the mid-point of the wall and draw a vertical line using a two foot level as a guide. (if are covering more than one wall, then alternatively, you can start in one corner and continue the same pattern from wall to wall) Next, place the adhesive on the wall with a caulk gun. You can even spread the adhesive after it is on the wall with a putty knife. Then place each panel into place and rub hard so the panel sticks to the wall adhesive. Don't forget to cut around electrical outlets and any other opening or obtrusion. This can be done by first drilling a large hole in the center of the opening and finishing the cut with an electric scroll saw. Make sure you measure accurately for each opening.

4. Install the top cap with special nails similar to what you used for the baseboard. You will have to locate the vertical studs behind the wall, so make sure your nails are long enough to penetrate the thickness of the wall plus the top cap.

5. Install a quarter round molding in front of the base board. This can be used to cover small gaps between the baseboard and the floor. Remember your baseboard needs to be level If the manufacturer does not supply this item, purchase some from a local lumber mill and paint the quarter round molding to match the wainscoating.

Tips & Warnings

• Follow the manufacturer guidelines when purchasing a panel adhesive. The choice of materials and styles of wainscoating are many and varied. An electric nail gun can be used to install the baseboard and top cap.

• Installing rough pieces of wood or lumber may require the use of furring strips instead of panel adhesive. A different set of instructions would be necessary for that operation.