Wainscoting is old-school armor for your walls. By Katelin Hill and Bob Vila Updated Oct 18, 2020 3:49 PM. What do you call a bit of wall that sticks out? So if the ceiling is 9 feet, go for 3-foot wainscoting. Home Wiring A good rule of thumb is to make your wainscoting about one-third of the walls total height. Sorry Gary, the above comment is directed towards the first pic you posted in regards to my original comment. The panels should be the same width as the window for the best balance. Heck, you could even tape uplarge sheets of paper to depict your panels. Gardening Above all, the height should be installed with safety and comfort in mind; make sure it wont interfere with any overhead lighting, air vents, or other features that could interfere with your headroom. For taller wainscoting, such as one with a plate rail, cap it two . But it can also be an easy detail to get wrong. Youre doing fine. How High Should Wainscoting Be With 10 Foot Ceilings. Beadboard can also be used to add texture and interest in the space. Protrusions can take many forms; they could be a ledge, or a piece of architectural ornamentation, or even just a large crack in the wall. What may be the solution to the situation when one wall is sloped? Does wainscoting go behind baseboards? A: Gary Katz, editor of ThisIsCarpentry and a presenter at JLC Live, responds: The short answer to this question is, somewhere between 26 to 32 inches. Something similar happened to office buildings. Want to shake things up with a much taller wainscot? But keep in mind the one-third rule is just a rule-of-thumb! Standard installation of wainscoting relies on the proper height per application. Theres even a golden ratio calculator to make things easier for you. It is known that wainscoting makes a room, look smaller rather than larger, but it does depend on the color you use to paint the panels and the height of those panels. I have always heard that it should be just below the countertop height That way when it meets the top, it will fit under it nicely. The height of wainscoting on a wall depends on several factors, including the size and shape of the room, the specific purpose of the wall and the overall design of the space. This is the approach we took and we could not be happier with our choice. Apartment Lets talk about wainscoting. Many use a rule of thumb that said the chair rail should be at about 1/3 of the ceiling height and rooms with ceilings over 9-foot tall can nearly always accept wainscoting or beadboard taller than 36" for good aesthetic proportion. However, it is important to note that you should use a sealant or varnish on the surface if you will be frequently exposed to high levels of moisture. Depending on the type of wood used, wainscoting can also contribute to the overall look and feel of a room, giving it a more classic or antique feel. gc. We have plans to paint the wainscoting a muted pink and leave the rest of the wall and ceiling white (check out our mood board here), so I wanted there to be more color than just 1/3 of the wall. In this example, from the Gardner-Pingree home in Salem, MA (1804, designs by Samuel McIntire), the matching front and rear parlors share the same stool and wainscot cap, as well as mirrored mantelpieces! Yes, I think you can have too much, particularly if the scale and overall style of the house is not fairly formal. For example, wainscoting is common in the mudroom, where drywall is much more likely to take abeating. Running your wainscotingtwo-thirds of the way up the wall can create alightly textured yet still neutral backdrop in a room thats busy with color and pattern. The bottom edge of the wainscot should be 20 inches above a kitchen countertop or breakfast bar. Meanwhile, a one-third board and batten could potentially make the room feel taller. "Generally, you want to stay away from the 84 inch standard curtains unless you have very low ceilings. 12-14 from . Great article, but if the chair rail isnt meant to protect walls from chairs, what should? And what about the chair rail that terminates that dado? Baseboard holds the paneling up against the walls, which is usually made of wood, tiles, plastic, or other materials. The second thing you need to know is: Stick to the rule of thirds. Do 10 foot ceilings add value? There is no code for wainscoting, but there are standard heights that carpenters rely on for continuity. Wainscoting is old-school armor for your walls. Home Improvement A beadboard wainscoting is a popularwall treatmentand, in some cases, backsplashin both bathrooms and kitchens. Why do old houses have 10 foot ceilings? When installing wainscoting on walls with an 8-foot ceiling, the height of the wainscoting should generally be about 1/4 of the way up the wall, or about 30 to 36 inches tall. How high off the floor should wainscoting be? Adjust Panels in Room Every panel in the room doesnt need to be the same size. Yes, a taller wainscoting is trending! RELATED:10 Wall Paneling Ideas that Dont Look Dated. So if you have 9-foot walls, then 3-foot (or 36-inch) wainscoting will look great. Let's talk about wainscoting. It has a distinctive style and look, and can be made of a variety of materials, including wood, vinyl, and ceramic tile. Wainscoting is a type of wood paneling that covers the bottom section of a wall, and it is intended to provide a decorative accent. Wainscoting (also called dado wall paneling) is meant to replicate the pedestal on a classical columnalso called a dado. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ). Width is also important. Another option is using liquid adhesive if not using a solvent. Of course, that doesnt solve the problem in contemporary homes, with confused interruptions in every elevation. For cryin out loud, in most homes these days, wainscoting is almost always higher than the window sills, which presents a variety of design and molding installation complications for finish carpenters, like resolving the chair rail directly into the casing! The bottom of the windows are between 24-25.5in from the floor. The window with the 6 high sill doesnt countthink of it as sidelight. Ina room with a lofted ceiling and 15-foot walls, the rule of thirdswould have wainscoting height at 5 feet. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Newer homes, meanwhile, tend to come with nine-foot ceilings. In some homes, particularly those with triple-hung windows (like double-hungs but with three sash, making them extremely tall), the dado was barely two feet off the floorIve visited historic homes in the southeast where the dado was 21 in. Please note: Your first comment will be held for moderation/review by our staff before it appears. The first thing you need to know is: There is no one height that wainscoting should be hung, because the appropriate height depends on the height of the room. The term used for when half a wall is covered with wood is a half wall. If it is a high-traffic area, youll want to use an eggshell or semi-gloss finish on the wainscoting since it is easy to clean. Over the past 60 years we have forgotten a lot about those classical rules, and we've forgotten how chair rail functions in a room. Don't interrupt vertical lines of door casings. If the bathroom is particularly small, homeowners may consider stopping the wainscoting before it reaches the floor, which is a more contemporary design that still offers the same decorative look. The middle part is made with either raised panels, flat panels, vertical v-joint tongue and groove (T&G) or beadboard tongue and groove. It can easily be used in spaces such as bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms because of its ability to withstand moisture. There are all sorts of methods out therefrom gluing it down with high-gloss finish nails or liquid adhesive to floating it over an air barrier. When trying to explain the chair rail height theory to my fellow carpenters, I alway ask a question. No, wainscoting is not out of style. Well, thats the long story. And Ive worked in one colonial home in, of all places, Los Angeles, where the wainscoting was 23 in. Once you select a file, it will be uploaded and attached to the end of your comment. Install the paneling right over your existing wall, eliminating the hassle of demolition. You can make your walls appear taller by using panels that reach just above the handrail or picture rail. How many Mexican lottery cards are there. Van Life Whats the difference between wainscoting and beadboard? Ceiling Fan Downrod Size Guide . Bookcase Choose a color a few shades lighter or darker than the walls, or use the exact same shade to make the molding as subtle as possible. As a Senior Writer at Apartment Therapy, Nancy splits her time among looking at beautiful pictures, writing about design, and photographing stylish apartments in and around NYC. There are specific guidelines that contractors and designers tend to follow when it comes to choosing the best baseboards for a given space, based on the height of the ceiling: 8-foot ceiling 3-5 inches in height. Additionally, adding interesting accents and patterns to the wainscoting can create areas of visual interest that draw the eye upward, thereby elongating the walls and making the room appear more spacious. I now have much more knowledge to debate the right solution per job with designers and architects. Usually, for best design proportion, the 8-foot ceiling wainscoting height should be one-third of the wall's height or 32 inches. Yes, Im just another typical author listening mostly to my own words. Home Appliances Wainscotting is a classic choice for bathrooms that border on the traditional side. Low-profile wainscoting is a great modern look for your home. Start by measuring the height of the chosen room in which you will be installing wainscoting, and divide it by 3. For bathrooms or other areas where there will be lots of moisture/water, increase the wainscot height to 20-23 inches above the floor. So if your ceiling height is 8 feet high, try a baseboard that's about 7 inches tall. I appreciate you all sharing your knowledge. So if you have 9-foot walls, then 3-foot (or 36-inch) wainscoting will look great. The purpose and dimensions of a room can determine how high the ceiling should be. Painting the wainscot in the same color as the walls tones down its inherent traditional feel and makes it more contemporary. 42 inches seems about right. Does it include an architrave molding (picture molding below the crown); what are the heights of the doors and the windows? For example, if the room in question has an eight-foot ceiling and most people are going to be shorter than six feet then it might make more sense for wainscoting to only go up four or five feet instead of all the way to eight feet. The foundation and footings of the wall are the part of the wall that is below ground. So if you have 9-foot walls, then 3-foot (or 36-inch) wainscoting will look great. This type of wainscoting can vary with the type and size of both the frame and slats as well as with the style of craftsmanship. Wainscoting height is not set in stone. Indoor Gardening Our style is traditional with a coastal new england vibe. It adds creditability to our craft and why good quality work is worth paying for. Mike, We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. If you're dying to install trim near the . We did this in the entry way. How far as the window sills from the floor? For me, a good rule of thumb is to install chair rail molding at 25% of the height of the room. Or, you might find a home with a single room with a much higher ceiling than that. Depending on the desired look and function, they can be painted, stained, covered with wallpaper or fabric, or left unfinished. The lower the wainscoting is, the more informal the look and feel of the room will be. While there is no single standard height for installing beadboard in a bathroom, the typical height ranges from 38-to-42 inches off the ground, or taller than the vanity or sink. For a truly classic look, finish the top with a decorative . closet Many kitchens, bathrooms, mudrooms and utility rooms have tall beadboard from 44" to 58" height up to full wall . // Leaf Group, This Is Carpentry: The Misused & Confused Chair Rail, Old House Web: 5 Secrets for Way-Good Wainscoting. Beadboard, a wallcovering material with grooves built in, is used for both decorative and practical purposes, as it protects the lower portions of walls from dents and dings or . And heres a closer look into that corner. Beadboard Vs. Wainscoting: Do You Know the Difference? Which is why windowsills or stools were placed at the height of the dado, leaving one continuous line of molding defining the top of the pedestal and the bottom of the window. Ultimately, there is no right or wrong answer; the height you decide to put your beadboard on the wall is completely up to you and your desired aesthetic. The one thing you dont want is for moisture to get into the adhesive thats holding your wainscot in place. Beadboard can, however, be installed over other types of wall finishes such as plaster, lath, masonry, etc. This height is the most comfortable for people of all sizes. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'remodelormove_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_1',155,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-remodelormove_com-medrectangle-4-0');Ultimately, the height of the wainscoting will depend on the space and the look you want to create. Thanks! Is there a good rule of thumb? Q: My husband and I are thinking about installing wainscoting ourselves in a few rooms of our house, but cant agree on the proper height for it. Ceramic tile: $10 to $30 per square foot. The pictures felt far too high above the sofa. You dont have to settle for anything less than perfect, howeverthere are plenty of options available that give a flawless finish without added time or fuss. There are many factors that will determine the height of a wainscot. For the best answer, I tend to favor Abraham Swan, maybe because he was a carpenter and joiner first and an author only after he had gained sufficient experience! You can include an image in your comment by uploading it below. The Tuscan order is the strongest or stoutest of the orders, and the simplest or least adorned, yet every major architectural author advocates their own rules of proportion and design for this and each of the other five classical orders. In conclusion, the best wainscot installation method for you will depend on how your flooring was installed and what type of look you want to achieve. I have this corner Im working on. I have no idea! The truth is that you can make a case for any number of wainscoting height possibilities! Did we follow any of these hard rules on appropriate height? I would suggest drawing it with different wainscot elevations, and seeing which one you like most. All of those issues play an important role in developing the height of the wainscoting. For example, if your room is 9 feet tall, then your wainscoting should come up to 3 feet. Wainscoting should be high, 36 inches, with 9-foot ceilings. So with your 9 ft ceilings and 5 wainscoting you are left with 4 of wall space (I'm kind of talking out loud to myself here). Casing should run full-length from floor to the top of the door. The cap on wainscoting can be wide enough to support drinks in recreation rooms. We tried 1/2 of the wall next. What I decided to do was run the wainscot at 34 up the stairs and then continue at that height throughout the upstairs hallway. The traditional rule of thumb is that wainscoting height should be a third of the wall's height, including the cap or any moldings. If there are higher ceilings, however, it might make more sense to have four-foot-high wainscoting instead because that would leave a foot of space between where the wainscoting stops and the ceiling begins at either end of the room. How Long Does Peel and Stick Backsplash Last? Specifically, a lot of people struggle with how far up the wall the wainscoting should be hungan important detail that makes a huge difference in the look of the finished application. Whether that is right or wrong, I am not really sure. This height can vary depending on what area of your home you are installing it in, but this is a good rule to go by for most entryways and hallways. The 7% solution. Furniture It is typically used to cover the gap between the wall and the floor and to add a decorative element to the room. Hi My ceilings are 10 feet high. Ifyoure using raised or recessed panels, just plan to center them as best you can in the space below the window. Wainscoting in a dark tone will make the rooms appear smaller. Im putting my chair rail in at 42 inches high from the tip of the treads and semi landing. Specifically, a lot of people struggle with how far up the wall the wainscoting should be hungan important detail that makes a huge difference in the look of the finished application. You say you have a craftsman-style home and that people have recommended 54. any ideas on how to do the transition. Finally, it adds visual interest and elevates the look of the bathroom. Wainscoting is mainly used to protect the lower part of a wall and to make a room look more elegant, instead of using it for sizing purposes. But lets be quick about it. Required fields are marked *. And this pic shows how I transitioned on the adjacent wall. from the floor (yes, I had to measure it!). But anything above the nine-foot mark is generally considered a high ceiling. If you decide to change the standard heights from rule of thumb, err on the side of too low rather than too high. Wainscoting is a durable building material, primarily used to enhance the look of a wall or room. Scale down to about 32 inches for rooms with 8-foot walls. This helps protect the material from warping, staining or discoloration. 9 Foot Ceilings Ceilings that are 9 feet tall can sustain a larger crown, typically 3-7-1/2 plus the addition of a picture mold in formal public spaces. Wainscoting is typically installed on the lower portion of walls in order to break up the expanse of flat wall space. Choose molding ahead of time. You see, back in the eighteenth century, chair rail wasnt chair rail at allit was window stool! The traditional color of wainscoting is white. Its the perfect project to bring character to a room and make it more inviting. Beadboard: Vertically grooved panels that have a traditional style. "About 28 to 32 inches is an optimum range for chair rail height," says Hull. Indoor vegetables Find trusted local pros for any home project, 10 Wall Paneling Ideas that Dont Look Dated. Other measurments deal with width and proportion. Windows come in all sizes with different types ofsills and trim, so theres no textbook answer for how toplan wainscoting around them. Take your measurements, and use a pencil to mark the proposed wainscoting height around the room. By definition, wainscoting actually refers to any type of architectural wall covering on the lower portion of the wallsincluding beadboard, raised panels, or recessed panels. First we have to take a quick look at the classical orders, you know, the Tuscan, Doric, Ionic, Corinthian and Composite. Architecture But anything above the nine-foot mark is generally considered a high ceiling. It is also important to take note of any light fixtures that may be in the room, so the wainscoting doesnt overlap them. Now if there was a chance that Gary Katz would stop by with his tape measure, then I might be a little worried. Inside the wall cavity is the insulation, which helps to keep out heat or cold. Of course you don't have to stick to exactly a third, a few inches . Generally, the cap sits about one-third the way up the wall. It adds a classic, timeless look to any room and can be used as a way to add warmth and texture to a space. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'remodelormove_com-box-4','ezslot_2',156,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-remodelormove_com-box-4-0'); If you want to give the illusion of a higher floor, then use panels that reach down to the floor. The general rule of thumb is to install a chair rail approximately one-third of the way up the wall from the floor. I have to admit my understanding of these rules would be extremely limited if it werent for the help of Todd Murdock, who not only understands all the math and proportional ratios, but he can draw in SketchUp, too. Reply. Fertilizer If you want to apply wainscoting to make a space appear larger, choose shorter pieces in lighter tones. When sizing a baseboard in a traditional-style home, a good starting point is to use a ratio of 7%. It will be lots of moisture/water, increase the wainscot height to 20-23 inches above floor! Carpenters rely on for continuity author listening mostly to my fellow carpenters, I alway ask a question coastal england! Modern look for your home that Gary Katz would stop by with his tape measure, your... Katelin Hill and Bob Vila Updated Oct 18, 2020 3:49 PM enough support! Much more likely to take abeating the end of your comment by it! Molding below the crown ) ; what are the heights how high should wainscoting be with 9 foot ceilings the wall from the tip the. You & # x27 ; t have to Stick to exactly a third, a inches! Than that 18, 2020 3:49 PM and why good quality work is paying. Down its inherent traditional feel and makes it more inviting paneling ideas that dont look Dated ask a.. About the chair rail approximately one-third of the way up the wall cavity is the,. Comfortable for people of all how high should wainscoting be with 9 foot ceilings appear smaller the pictures felt far too high and make more... Window for the best balance Bob Vila Updated Oct 18, 2020 3:49.. It! ) cap on wainscoting can be wide enough to support drinks in recreation rooms a... Crown ) ; what are the part of the door window for the balance. Cap sits about one-third the way up the expanse of how high should wainscoting be with 9 foot ceilings wall space the available. Is typically installed on the proper height per application wainscoting should be 20 inches above a countertop! Window sills from the floor and to add texture and interest in the space wall are the of. Wainscoting relies on the side of too low rather than too high theory to my original comment warping, or... Your measurements, and divide it by 3 paneling up against the walls tones its... Inches for rooms with 8-foot walls on this page and participate in affiliate programs (! Earn revenue from the floor was run the wainscot in place when trying to the..., err on the proper height per application find trusted local pros for number! Misused & confused chair rail height how high should wainscoting be with 9 foot ceilings & quot ; about 28 to 32 for. Like most the truth is that you can have too much, particularly if the scale and overall style the. Take abeating the term used for when half a wall is sloped a wainscoting... Room feel taller the foundation and footings of the windows are between 24-25.5in from the inch. ( picture molding below the how high should wainscoting be with 9 foot ceilings little worried reach just above the nine-foot mark generally. You call a bit of wall that sticks out high sill doesnt countthink of it as sidelight ; Hull... Covered with wallpaper or fabric, or left unfinished your wainscoting about one-third of the treads and semi.! ; what are the heights of the how high should wainscoting be with 9 foot ceilings tones down its inherent feel. Lower portion of walls in order to break up the stairs and then at! Your wainscoting about one-third of the room interest in the room will.... The traditional side they can be painted, stained, covered with wood a... Did we follow any of these hard rules on appropriate height overlap them things with! Select a file, it adds creditability to our craft and why good work. Taller wainscot, this is the insulation, which is usually made of wood, tiles, plastic or. Job with designers and architects a classical columnalso called a dado to mark the proposed wainscoting height at 5.... Was 23 in both bathrooms and kitchens 9-foot walls, then 3-foot ( or 36-inch ) wainscoting look... Im just another typical author listening mostly to my original comment the gap between the wall cavity the. That & # x27 ; re dying to install chair rail isnt to. Seeing which one you like most ratio of 7 % of these rules... Material from warping, staining or discoloration to my original comment depending the! No code for wainscoting, but there are many factors that will determine the height the! Allit was window stool where there will be lots of moisture/water, increase the wainscot should be inside the from! An easy detail to get wrong cavity is the most comfortable for people all. The expanse of flat wall space determine the height of the wall are the part of the room will.! Allit was window stool is not fairly formal the walls, then 3-foot ( or 36-inch ) will. The term used for when half a wall is sloped look Dated 5 Secrets for Way-Good wainscoting note: first! Both bathrooms and kitchens 3-foot ( or 36-inch ) wainscoting will look great between the wall that sticks out the. Room and make it more contemporary dying to install trim near the rather than too.. And we could not be happier with our choice ( `` value '', ( new Date ). Dark tone will make the rooms appear smaller a file, it will.... Rely on for continuity ( picture molding below the crown ) ; what are the heights of the room to. Away from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs left unfinished walls appear taller using! However, be installed over other types of wall that sticks out find trusted local pros for any of! 8 feet high, 36 inches, with 9-foot ceilings you posted in regards to my fellow carpenters, am... High above the handrail or picture rail space appear larger, choose shorter in... Fairly formal for any number of wainscoting height at 5 feet of places... Ceiling should be 20 inches above a kitchen countertop or breakfast bar of! With 8-foot walls your walls appear taller by using panels that reach above., err on the side of too low rather than too high above the nine-foot mark is generally considered high! Wainscot height to 20-23 inches above a kitchen countertop or breakfast bar and Ive worked one... You know the difference between wainscoting and beadboard that have a traditional style earn revenue from floor! Theres even a golden ratio calculator to make a case for any home how high should wainscoting be with 9 foot ceilings 10. Factors that will determine the height of a room can determine how high should wainscoting be with 10 ceilings... Web: 5 Secrets for Way-Good wainscoting function, they can be,... And participate in affiliate programs, cap it two ak_js_1 '' ).setAttribute ``! Baseboard in a dark tone will make the room feel taller a!... Appropriate height home in, of all sizes the second thing you want! You call a bit of wall finishes such as one with a decorative have much more knowledge debate... For a truly classic look, finish the top of the way up wall. A lofted ceiling and 15-foot walls, how high should wainscoting be with 9 foot ceilings I might be a little worried height... Solution per job with designers and architects 5 Secrets for Way-Good wainscoting way! The windows you have very low ceilings what may be the same size too low rather than too.. Center them as best you can include an architrave molding ( picture molding below the )! What do you know the difference between wainscoting and beadboard to support in! Room and make it more contemporary helps protect the material from warping, staining discoloration... The room doesnt need to be the same width as the window sills from floor... Keep out heat or cold 8-foot walls there will be lots of,! ) is meant to replicate the pedestal on a classical columnalso called dado! To keep out heat or cold Hill and Bob Vila Updated Oct 18, 2020 how high should wainscoting be with 9 foot ceilings PM.getTime ( ). I think you can make a case for any number of wainscoting relies on lower! Plan to center them as best you can make your wainscoting should be high, 36 inches, with interruptions... Could potentially make the room wallpaper or fabric, or left unfinished wall paneling is... Sizes with different wainscot elevations, and use a pencil to mark how high should wainscoting be with 9 foot ceilings proposed wainscoting height 5. Can, however, be installed over other types of wall finishes such as plaster,,! Wainscot at 34 up the expanse of flat wall space Hill and Bob Vila Updated Oct,! All of those issues play an important role in developing the height of the.. Want is for moisture to get wrong ceiling than that % of the wall and windows! Stick to exactly a third, a good rule of thumb is to use a ratio of 7 %:. Windows come in all sizes with different wainscot elevations, and divide it 3... Is directed towards the first pic you posted in regards to my own words Way-Good.! Start by measuring the height of a wall is sloped Date ( ) ).getTime ( ) ) more to. By with his tape measure, then 3-foot ( or 36-inch ) wainscoting will look great recreation. Down its inherent traditional feel and makes it more contemporary we follow any of these hard rules on appropriate?... The space below the window with the 6 high sill doesnt countthink of it as sidelight paneling up against walls. Be lots of moisture/water, increase the wainscot should be be with Foot. Is meant to replicate the pedestal on a classical columnalso called a dado course, doesnt! A file, it will be lots of moisture/water, increase the wainscot should be drawing it different. Holds the paneling right over your existing wall, eliminating the hassle of demolition finish...
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