How to Use a Miter Box to Install a Chair Railing
A chair railing is a form of wall trim that is installed horizontally across the middle of the wall instead of at the floor or ceiling. Traditionally meant to protect the walls from the backs of chairs, it's usually just a decorative element today. It's hung like any other trim, but you should start with your own level line instead of relying on a floor or ceiling. Like other trim projects, you have to miter the corners so the straight pieces of wood follow the angles of the room. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Pencil
- Level
- Chair railing
- Miter saw
- Nailgun with trim nails
Instructions
-
-
1
Mark a horizontal line all around the wall where you want the hang the chair railing, using your pencil and level. Generally, a chair rail is hung between 36 and 48 inches above the floor.
-
2
Measure the first wall from one corner, and transfer the measurement to a piece of chair rail, marking it on the top of the piece.
-
-
3
Set the chair rail on the platform of your miter saw, positioning it exactly as you plan to affix it to the wall and with the mark for your corner cut aligned under the blade. If the piece is going to an inside corner, swivel the blade by 45 degrees inward so that it points in toward the main span of the piece. If it's going to an outside corner, swivel the blade by 45 degrees outward so that it points away from the main span of the piece. Make the cut.
-
4
Repeat the whole process for the second piece of chair rail, which will span the wall on the other side of the corner. Set the piece on the opposite side of the saw blade (if you mitered the left side of the first piece, miter the right side of the second piece). Swivel the saw to 45 degrees in the opposite direction you swiveled it before so that it still points outward from the piece for an outside cut and inward toward the piece for an inside cut. Make the cut.
-
5
Set the pieces together at the corner to make sure the miter cuts for a tight joint when they're butted against each other. If they don't (because the corner on the wall isn't completely square), put the pieces back on the saw and trim the miters so they're a little more or less than 45 degrees, depending on what you need. Adjust until the cuts are right.
-
6
Secure the chair rail to the wall by using a nailgun loaded with trim nails. The trim should be placed on the marked line, and the miter cuts should butt against each other at the corner.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Wear eye protection when cutting the chair rail.
