How to Cut Plywood for Raised Panels

Plywood raised panels for wainscoting are trimmed with decorative mold.

There are many ways to change the ambiance of a room. One is to construct wainscoting with raised panels. To keep the cost of this project to a minimum, make the raised panels out of plywood and install decorative molding around the panels to give the look of solid wood. Using plywood also makes it easier to secure the panels to the walls because there is no need to drill pilot holes as with solid wood panels.

Things You'll Need

• Table saw
• 48-by-96-by-3/4-inch plywood

Instructions

1. Measure the distance from the top of the baseboard to the bottom of the chair rail and horizontally between the framework of the wainscoting. Determine the amount of space desired between the wainscoting framework and the plywood panels and subtract that from the height and width measurements to give you the measurements of the panels.

2. Adjust the fence of the table saw so the distance between it and the blade equals the measurement representing the height of the panels. Set the fence so it won't move. Place a 48-by-96-by-3/4-inch sheet of plywood on the table saw so you can make a cut across the 48-inch width of the plywood.

3. Divide 48 by the width measurement of the panels to determine how many pieces of plywood you need to cut all the raised panels. For example, if the width of the raised panels is 15 inches, one piece 48 inches wide yields three pieces.

4. Cut as many pieces at the height measurement as needed. If the width measurement varies, start with the widest measurements and work your way down to the smallest.

5. Change the fence of the table saw so the measurement between it and the blade equals the widest raised panel. Cut the pieces of plywood lengthwise to produce the raised panels. Adjust the fence of the table saw to the next width measurement and repeat the process.

Tips & Warnings

• Substitute medium density fiberboard for the plywood if painting the panels.

• Never set the table saw blade any higher than necessary to make the cut.

References

• MLSC: Making and Installing Wainscoting

Resources

• Building Materials 365: Classic Wainscoting