Wainscotingis a design lineament dating back several century . But it ’s come a long way since itstraditional British originsas oak pane .
Today , you’re able to find this decorative component , which complements many décor styles , in a variety of materials and different areas of a home , such as the dining room or an entrance .
Touted as an easy DIY project , wainscoting is a comparatively cost - in force way to dress up a bare rampart with Sir Henry Joseph Wood panels . From a rustic farmhouse home to one that is ultramodern , wainscoting correspond in well . Let ’s look at how this unproblematic rampart panel became a go - to design component .
What Is Wainscoting?
consort toMerriam - Webster , the original definition of wainscot refer to " a fine level of oak import for woodwork , " and it was a term used as ahead of time as the 14th century . By the late 1500s , it had become a verb signification " to line with boards or paneling . "
Etymologically , the word stems from the Middle Dutch or Middle Low Germanwagenschot , mean something like " beach wagon partition , " so title perhaps because the same Sir Henry Joseph Wood had been used in the construction of wagon .
Today , the term " wainscotting " — and the more vulgar " wainscoting " — refers to a type of paneling used on the interior of a space that cover the humiliated portion of the wall . While it has the protective function of add a layer over the wall material and paint , the master role of the raised jury is to grace a space .
Despite menses of heightened popularity , like the Arts & Crafts movement , wainscoting has never gone out of style , so it offers an approachable and time - tested choice for adding more flair to a room .
" [ Wainscoting is used ] to crack the wall space visually , " state Bill Musso , president of Atlanta - basedMusso Design Group . " It does n’t really have a part these mean solar day ; it ’s more optic . Over the years , it ’s become more of a cosmetic thing . "
What Is the Purpose of Wainscoting?
Nevertheless , Musso explains that you’re able to use wainscot to keep wall dependable from damage and blemishes in arduous - dealings areas like entryways , stairways and hallways — just the type of places hoi polloi are likely to bump or run their hands over the wall .
reckon of children with sticky digit , and you will sympathise the use of shield your pigment orwallpaperwith this protective bed .
Wainscoting vs. Chair Rail Molding
chairperson rail molding and wainscoting are not the same matter , but they complement each other . In a dining room , for example , a wainscotting cap , which ismolding , may top the wall panel .
This chapiter molding can protect the walls from being bonk up by chairs . Hence , the roof is typically come to to as a hot seat rails , although a hot seat rail can also drift on the wall solo . you could add baseboard molding to the wainscoting panel to discharge the look .
Wainscoting Style
There are several types of wainscotting , including :
The Many Looks of Wainscoting
There is more to wainscoting than oak pane . Musso explain that you could title it in traditional looks , like heavy carve panels embellish with Art Deco motif , or go for a more linear and geometrical esthetic . Wainscoting ’s ability to morph with unlike design style might have some helping hand in its long - last acceptance .
" In contemporary plan , it lead on a really clear , simple profile , " Musso says . Not only can the façade offer a variety of styles from simple to ornate , the material also has now become more wide-ranging , too .
Other than solid Sir Henry Joseph Wood , you could apply medium - density particle board , plyboard and more . Musso has used both metal and glass wainscoting in contemporary homes . you may even make some panel from in an elaborate way shaped PVC .
Of course , beadboard wainscoting is a typical deary , as is shiplap , which are tenacious , wooden plank mounted horizontally . It ’s popular in farmhouse - style homes thanks to HGTV ’s " Fixer Upper " show with Chip and Joanna Gaines .
" There are so many different counsel , " Musso says . " Whatever you’re able to think of , people are doing it . It used to be one thing , and now it can be many things . "
How to Install Wainscoting
wainscotting does not want professional installment . If you decide to DIY it , it is a cost - effective way to add dash to a room . " You do have to have some cognition of cutting and installing , " Musso says . The finished production front like a dialog box bond directly to a paries , but there are several steps necessitate .
Similar to opt console door styles , selecting a more traditional eccentric of wainscoting requires the choice between different types of control board — like raise , flat and sheathing . Each wainscoting design admit multiple constituent , such as various moldings , panels , rails and perchance stiles . You will apply these to the rampart in the determined pattern .
Whether you plan to paint it or not , seal off Natalie Wood wainscoting back and front before you set up it to help oneself guard against issues with contraction and expansion . you may even apply wainscoting if your walls are out of plummet , but you will ask to compensate for the lack of levelness during instalment .
If you have an uneven wall surface , you’re able to fixate the proceeds with horizontal filler strips . Finally , for an undulating floor , determine the tallness of the chair rails by the floor ’s highest degree and shim the baseboards .
If this all sounds like it ’s beyond your carpentry capability , wainscoting is usable as quick - made control panel . For exemplar , a source DIYer can purchase bulwark cladding in sheets , MDF or even a light fiberboard that you could cut to sizing , Musso say .
" It ’s a lot easy than it used to be , " he say . And when see more contemporary pattern , wainscot can be forge from all sorts of textile that may be less complicated to work with . He recommends checking out how - to television on YouTube and renting anail gunto make instalment less demanding .
Throwing in the DIY towel in party favor of hiring an installer will increase the cost of the project . But with an average cost of installing wainscoting in the thousands , it could still be a sensible and fashionable investment for years to come .
This clause was update in conjunction with AI technology , then fact - checked and edit by a HowStuffWorks editor .
