How to Miter a Chair Rail

Chair rail is the wood trim that runs horizontally along walls at 3 or 4 feet high, often forming the top border of wainscoting. Taking the chair rail around corners is basically the same process as taking floor trim around corners. Outside corners can be done with a straight miter cut (the two pieces cut at 45-degree angles, meeting at the corner to form 90 degrees). Inside corners are seldom square, so they should be "coped,'' which means only one of the boards is mitered, and then "back-cut'' to fit around the other one.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Chair rail
• Miter saw
• Coping saw (looks like a small hacksaw)
• Trim nailer

Instructions

For Outside Corners

1. Measure the wall on one side and mark a piece of chair rail with the measurement, putting the mark on at the top of the piece, near the back.

2. Set the piece on your miter saw, sitting on its bottom edge in the same position it will go on the wall, with the mark under the blade. (The mark should be on the top of the piece, toward the back, so you will be able to see it as you look down at the piece on the saw.) Swivel the blade to 45 degrees, so it points away from the piece. Hold the piece and make the cut. The rear of the piece should be the length of your measurement, and the front of the piece should be longer.

3. Repeat the process for the piece on the other side of the corner. Set the marked piece on the opposite side of the miter blade, and swivel the blade 45 degrees in the opposite direction (away from the piece). Make the cut.

4. Install the pieces using your trim nailer, with the mitered cuts butting against each other from either side of the corner.

For Inside Corners

1. Measure the wall on one side of the corner. Mark a piece of trim to that length. Cut it straight across at the mark, with your miter saw set at 90 degrees.

2. Set the piece in place, with the cut end butting up against the adjacent wall at the corner. Secure it with your trim nailer.

3. Measure and mark the second piece. Set it on your miter saw in the position it will go on the wall, with the mark under the blade. Swivel the blade 45 degrees inward (toward the piece), so the front side of the board will be shorter than the back. Make the cut.

4. Hold the piece in one hand, with the angled miter cut facing you. Use your coping saw to cut away the miter, running the saw blade along the line where the mitered cut meets the face of the board. The shape of the cut should mimic the contours on the face of the board.

5. Set the board in place, tucking the coped cut over the face of the previously installed board. It should fit right over the contours of the board, giving the appearance of a mitered cut. Secure the board with your trim nailer.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear eye protection when using your miter saw.

References

• FineHomeBuilding.com: Installing Chair Rail.