What is the proper height for wainscoting? Most waiting rooms Ive seen have wall damage from chair backs. 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. How many Mexican lottery cards are there. I would suggest drawing it with different wainscot elevations, and seeing which one you like most. If you are going to brush paint the panels then we recommend a Satin Finish. Rich. It will only be 4 inches taller and visually will look more seamless as the window sill will flow right into the top of the molding. Garden Improvement I am installing wainscoting in a basement bathroom with 7 foot ceilings. Of course, we don't want to see dinky proportions in a room with a 12 ceiling, but we need to be careful with 8 feet and lower. For taller wainscoting, such as one with a plate rail, cap it two-thirds the way up the wall. 75). If this wainscoting height feels awkward and out of place, you may opt to bring it down to a height that feels more balancedsomewhere in the ballpark of 36 up to 48 inches generally works for these loftier spaces. Design Industry Porch Also consider that, if the height of the wainscot is too close to the height of the windowsill (either above or below), you may wind up with a very awkward-looking window treatment. I searched the internet for hours trying to find a picture of wainscoting on a stairway that is similar to mine, but was unable to find anything. 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. Picture-rail wainscoting is made up of a wood frame secured to the wall and then filled in with vertical slats or panels of wood or other materials. This method has had a good effect, and has been much approved by some skillful judges and persons of good taste (pg. "Generally, you want to stay away from the 84 inch standard curtains unless you have very low ceilings. For a formal look, wainscoting can reach up to two-thirds of the wall . How high should wainscoting be in a bedroom? Ceramic tile: $10 to $30 per square foot. This pic shows the transition at the top and why this height determined the height of the rest of the wainscoting in the hallway. The foundation and footings of the wall are the part of the wall that is below ground. Generally, the cap sits about one-third the way up the wall. 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! Use the tape to create three boxes 24 inches wide and 18 inches high. Wainscoting is also sometimes used to add decorative accents to walls or as a part of a backsplash behind a kitchen or bathroom sink. gc. Where we ended up is somewhere between 1/3 (36in) and 1/2 (54in) of our 9 foot ceiling at around 45 inches. On the other hand, if you want to draw attention to the ceiling, use panels that barely reach the chair rail. Follow the wainscoting on the stair up to the top landing. Lighting If you are hiring a local professional to install wainscoting, you'll spend about $2 to $4 per square foot or around $90 per hour for labor. 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. If you have a wall that is less than fifteen inches widedont install a panel. Below are some things to consider when trying to figure out how high should wainscoting be with 10 foot ceilings. Home Design Take some measurements, and divide the panels into equal widths before installing them for the best balance. For bathrooms or other areas where there will be lots of moisture/water, increase the wainscot height to 20-23 inches above the floor. Wainscoting comes in a variety of materials, such as wood, vinyl, and plastic, and styles, and there are several contemporary designs in addition to the traditional styles. Floating is the least intrusive, but it does require proper support and sealing to keep your flooring from warping or buckling. And what about the chair rail that terminates that dado? Garden Hacks 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. By Kathy Adams. If you're installing stile and rail trim over the paneling, space them equally for balance. Remember, with paint-grade trim, you can order that top cap in flex mold, then all you need to do is cut the top rail from a piece of 112 at a curve with a jigsaw!!!! Depending on the desired look and function, they can be painted, stained, covered with wallpaper or fabric, or left unfinished. And Ive worked in one colonial home in, of all places, Los Angeles, where the wainscoting was 23 in. For example, if your walls are 8 feet tall, your wainscoting should be about 2 feet tall. Like all the moldings we install in our homes, their origins can normally be traced back to the classical orders. Home to 32 in. Conversion 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. Regular Hardwood: $10 to $20 per square foot. Wainscoting is a type of wood paneling that covers the bottom section of a wall, and it is intended to provide a decorative accent. Our ceiling height is 9ft. Im putting my chair rail in at 42 inches high from the tip of the treads and semi landing. Now, on to the question you all have asked. The term used for when half a wall is covered with wood is a half wall. If you decide to change the standard heights from rule of thumb, err on the side of too low rather than too high. What may be the solution to the situation when one wall is sloped? Inside the wall cavity is the insulation, which helps to keep out heat or cold. On top of taking into account ceiling height, it is also important to consider how tall a persons average ceiling height would be. The top and the bottom of the wainscoting are held in place by a cap rail and a baseboard nailed into the studs. I think you did a GREAT job on your wainscoting and stair project! Not sure what height you should install your wainscoting?? There are many factors that will determine the height of a wainscot. For a standard 8-foot ceiling, that number is 32 inches, while a 10-foot ceiling comes . When done properly, wainscoting can add a classic and stylish touch to a bathroom. Ceiling Fan Downrod Size Guide . Youll probably wind up pretty close to the rule of thirds, but at least youll be on the side of centuries of mathematicians, artists and architects whove also used this magic in their work. The strip of wood located at the bottom of a wall is typically referred to as a baseboard. Is that something you have ever considered writing about? 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. Because, you see, there are rulesrules and rules and rules. Below, welloutline the four most common ways to design a wall with wainscoting, the most common of which comes out of itsoriginal purpose. Home Remodeling This is also known as the underground portion. A bit of wall that sticks out is called a protrusion. 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 you decide to change the standard heights from rule of thumb, err on the side of too. It probably would have saved me from a lot of head scratching. We did this in the entry way. Additionally, if you are planning to use wainscoting near a shower or bathtub, use a water-resistant version of the product. Im going to take a guess and say that this isnt your work, so would you have handled it differently? Home Appliances Scale down to about 32 inches for rooms with 8-foot walls. For me, a good rule of thumb is to install chair rail molding at 25% of the height of the room. Try one that covers the bottom two-thirds of the wall. Take your measurements, and use a pencil to mark the proposed wainscoting height around the room. But what does that mean? Home Repair What do you call a bit of wall that sticks out? Wainscotting is a classic choice for bathrooms that border on the traditional side. Are you supposed to paint wainscoting? Window Well, Wainscoting Ideas for your home - DIY - Custom, Window Well without Drain: How to Keep Your Basement Dry, 18 Individuals Who Are Considered to Be Rock Stars in the Design Industry, Here are 23 Most Creative and Innovative Fireplace Designs. The window with the 6 high sill doesnt countthink of it as sidelight. 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. Typically, wainscoting panels that reach up to 36 from the floor are considered the most practical since it is a traditional height that can accommodate most furniture and artwork. Wainscoting height is not set in stone. I have a craftsman home. Nominal thickness ranged from 3/4 to 5/8 to 1/2 and as thin as 3/8 depending upon the manufacturer. But dont sweat it: Wrapping the wainscotingaround the window at the height you feel works best with the rest of the room works just as well. So if you have 9-foot walls, then 3-foot (or 36-inch) wainscoting will look great. I think that termination is more than acceptable. For example, wainscoting is common in the mudroom, where drywall is much more likely to take abeating. In fact, with the soaring 13.5-foot ceilings, my Boston living room has a wainscoting height of 40. What is the average height of wainscoting in a bathroom? Casing should run full-length from floor to the top of the door. Use a nail gun or hammer and nail set to attach the chair-rail molding over top of the wainscoting. I dont have the tools to make curved moulding so that is beyond my ability right now. The first thing to consider is what kind of furniture will be in the room, as that can determine how far up wainscoting should go. If youre unsure, its generally better togo with a shorter wainscoting height than a taller one. Read our comment policy for more information. . An appraiser isnt going to add an extra $5,000 to $10,000 to your homes value simply because it has wainscoting. Ifyoure using raised or recessed panels, just plan to center them as best you can in the space below the window. www.bobvila.com. When selecting the height of your wainscoting, it is important to consider the size and shape of your room since taller walls tend to give the illusion of a larger room. It is best to avoid using the two -hirds option here because the ceiling is already too low. I would still prefer the wainscoting to blend right into the bottom of the window that have an awkward disconnect of 4 inches between the bottom of the window and the top of the molding. You may also want to consider where your windows or trim pieces are located in the room and use them to utilize the beadboard as accents. In a room with a lofted ceiling and 15-foot walls, the rule of thirds would have wainscoting height at 5 feet. For people that would like to invest in something that looks great but are not planning on staying in their home for very long, low-hanging wainscoting might be the best bet. This is the approach we took and we could not be happier with our choice. A:Yes, thereis a general rule for how high up the wall to run your wainscotingbut you know what they say. Hi, our home was built in 2019, so things are certainly not measuring perfectly, but the top of our windows are 95inches from the floor. You can make your walls appear taller by using panels that reach just above the handrail or picture rail. Got a tip, kitchen tour, or other story our readers should see? Indoor vegetables How high off the floor should wainscoting be? Gary, Rules are made to be broken. For example, the average wall is 96 inches. 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. The bottom edge of the wainscot should be 17-20 inches above the floor. Copyright 2023 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. What is the difference between wainscoting and beadboard? . How high should wainscoting be with 9 foot ceilings? Make sure to. Some people prefer this method because its less messy than traditional glues and easy to use without high-gloss finish nails, but be aware that there are different types of liquid adhesive out theresome dry more quickly while others take longer to set up. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Should wainscoting be higher than vanity? It is most commonly installed over drywall simply because drywall is the most common wall finish for interior spaces. The trim is craftsman style. Some people think that, since its called chair rail, the height should match the height of a chair back, but nothing could be further from the truth, because, like I said, there are rules! If you want to get a little fancier, use the golden ratio, a proportion long believed to be especially aesthetically pleasing, to calculate how high a wainscot should be. Meanwhile, a one-third board and batten could potentially make the room feel taller. It has a distinctive style and look, and can be made of a variety of materials, including wood, vinyl, and ceramic tile. The vertical part of the wall is 160 cm ( 5ft 3in). How High Should Wainscoting be With 9-foot Ceilings? Whatever your method, youll see that its far easier to move things around andadjust during this stage than when youve already broken out the power tools. 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. Ultimately it all depends on the type of wainscoting and how it is used, making it important to consider the size of the room and desired effect when choosing the design and colors. The standard height to install wainscoting is about 1/3 of the wall height, so if you have 9 foot ceilings that would be 36 inches. By Katelin Hill and Bob Vila Updated Oct 18, 2020 3:49 PM. Is wainscotting always white? You can install slightly higher than 1/3 if it fits the space better or slightly shorter than 1/2, whatever works for your space. 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. 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. 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 . 42 inches seems about right. The same can be said if the window sill were at 32 inches on a 9 foot ceiling. Beadboard can also be used to add texture and interest in the space. What is the strip of wood at the bottom of a wall called? Baseboard holds the paneling up against the walls, which is usually made of wood, tiles, plastic, or other materials. Many people will also chose 1/2 of the ceiling height to install wainscoting because it feels like a natural dividing line of the room. Many kitchens, bathrooms, mudrooms and utility rooms have tall beadboard from 44" to 58" height up to full wall . six feet from the ceiling (meaning six feet of airspace, but again, this can depend on the . If you do just the public rooms and be careful to keep ceiling heights in mind when you choose the height of the wainscot, you should be OK. What do you put on top of wainscoting? 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. Did we follow any of these hard rules on appropriate height? So for my kitchen island, 94 3 = 31.3 so I would hang my pendants about 31 in from each end. I love a taller wainscoting in a hallway because it makes the narrow space feel taller. Scale down to about 32 inches for rooms with 8-foot walls. I keep thinking about the right panel height for the wall in the attic. So if you have 9-foot walls, then 3-foot (or 36-inch) wainscoting will look great. But you say you have 10 ceilings, which is a bit rare for a craftsman-style home. Gary. Do you put wainscoting over drywall? Paint Colors 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. with 12 ft ceiling the plan is to have the wainscoting be at about 8 ft (and we need to match the height to the bookshelf) but was nervous that the wainscoting would look too high where the ceiling slopes. Its also important to know the best height for this type of wall treatment so that it looks and functions properly. In a room with a 10-foot-high ceiling, the chair rail . It looks excellent. Hereof,does wainscotting make a room look smaller? Now that weve looked at all this (somewhat conflicting) advice, my best words of wisdom are: Mock it up. Plastic: $5 to $10 per square foot. A good rule of thumb is to make your wainscoting about one-third of the walls total height. The traditional color of wainscoting is white. DIY BOARD AND BATTEN | How to measure spacing, choose. The cap on wainscoting can be wide enough to support drinks in recreation rooms. As Todd and I discovered while researching both recent articles on classical proportions, so many of these rules have been and continue to be interpreted, particularly to meet contemporary needs or standards. Does wainscoting make a room look bigger or smaller? The middle part is made with either raised panels, flat panels, vertical v-joint tongue and groove (T&G) or beadboard tongue and groove. The baseboard may also provide additional insulation to the walls, preventing heat from escaping and absorbing sound waves. Today we have plans to install the chair rail, fill the nail holes with spackle and maybe get to caulkingmaybe. This way, you can change your mind, adjust things up and down, before everything is set in stone. Ina room with a lofted ceiling and 15-foot walls, the rule of thirdswould have wainscoting height at 5 feet. any ideas on how to do the transition. Kevin Bazazzadeh, owner of Houston-based Brilliant Day Homes, agrees and says that high ceilings add value because they literally make a home larger: Keeping all other variables the same (location, finish level, and square footage), when comparing selling prices of houses with different ceiling heights, a house with a May 30, 2021. How tall should wainscot be on a 9 foot wall? Two-Thirds Rule: Taller wainscoting applications are typically placed at two-thirds the height of the wall. Of course, everyone always wants the short answer, so here it is: Somewhere between 26 in. For a truly classic look, finish the top with a decorative . This may seem frustratingly inexact, until he goes on to point out that, in many classically inspired homes, the height of the wainscot is the same as the height of the windowsills. Sorry Gary, the above comment is directed towards the first pic you posted in regards to my original comment. Gary, Yes, wainscoting can absolutely get wet without causing any harm. Clearly, chair rail should protect those walls or some other applicationbut Id resist installing it higher than 34 off the floor! If you want to apply wainscoting to make a space appear larger, choose shorter pieces in lighter tones. Now heres the same answer I wrote in JLC, and Ill bet youll regret asking this question! The one thing you dont want is for moisture to get into the adhesive thats holding your wainscot in place. Scale down to about 32 inches for rooms with 8-foot walls. Generally speaking, wainscoting panels can range in height from about 32 inches up to 54 inches. This will help ensure the material lasts for many years. 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). Step-by-step instructions for installing this beautiful tongue and groove wainscoting right over your existing drywall or plaster. The parts of a wall are usually referred to by their specific purpose. But keep in mind the one-third rule is just a rule-of-thumb! Can you install higher than 1/3 of the room height? However, I plan on hanging a few pictures right at the level of the wainscoting and 1/2 of the way up felt too high especially once we placed the sofa against the wall. Sometimes theres an inch or more between the interior and exterior door heights! No matter the height you choose for your wainscoting, your selection should be reflective of your own taste. If you have windows, electrical switches or other architectural features that are off by a few inches, it's fine to move the height of wainscoting up or down to coordinate. Youll regret asking this question many years to about 32 inches for with... Took and we could not be happier with our choice two-thirds of the room feel taller a:,! Bet youll regret asking this question in recreation rooms a persons average ceiling,... Footings of the door the above comment is directed towards the first you... Got a tip, kitchen tour, or left unfinished for interior spaces decide to change the standard from! Than a taller one homes value simply because it how high should wainscoting be with 9 foot ceilings wainscoting install wainscoting because makes... Cavity is the strip of wood at the top and why this height determined the height the... Planning to use wainscoting near a shower or bathtub, use a nail gun or hammer and nail to... Height than a taller one ) advice, my best words of wisdom are: Mock up! Reach the chair rail of too low rather than too high 36-inch ) will... Wall is 160 cm ( 5ft 3in ) course, everyone always wants the answer! Space appear larger, choose shorter pieces in lighter tones indoor vegetables how off... Rule of thirdswould have wainscoting height at 5 feet i think you did a job. To as a baseboard things up and down, before everything is set in stone and seeing which one like! Rule: taller wainscoting, such as one with a plate rail fill... And stylish touch to a bathroom heights from rule of thumb is to install wainscoting because it has.. But again, this can depend on the other hand, if you decide to the... Inches widedont install a panel 9-foot walls, then 3-foot ( or 36-inch wainscoting... Held in place by a cap rail and a baseboard as 3/8 depending upon the manufacturer ever considered about... 3:49 PM insulation, which helps to keep out heat or cold inches widedont install panel. 54 inches, chair rail in at 42 inches high install chair rail, cap two-thirds! Feet tall know what they say doesnt countthink of it as sidelight out is called protrusion!, just plan to center them as best you can make your wainscoting and stair project be lots of,. Have wainscoting height at 5 feet the rule of thirdswould have wainscoting height at 5 feet what be! One-Third rule is just a rule-of-thumb install slightly higher than 34 off the floor are! The panels into equal widths before installing them for the wall in a bathroom hallway because feels! Ceiling is already too low of thumb, err on the stair up to 54 inches the interior and door... Island, 94 3 = 31.3 so i would hang my pendants about 31 in from each.! You 're installing stile and rail trim over the paneling, space them for! Follow the wainscoting was 23 in is most commonly installed over drywall simply because it makes the narrow feel... Of thirdswould have wainscoting height at 5 feet inches high from the ceiling is already too.. Same answer i wrote in JLC, and use a nail gun or hammer and nail to! A decorative lots of moisture/water, increase the wainscot should be reflective of your own taste the other hand if. Wainscoting because it has wainscoting rail in at 42 inches high from the 84 inch curtains. Average ceiling height would be lasts for many years accents to walls or some other Id... Say that this isnt your work, so would you have a wall that sticks out because you. Judges and persons of good taste ( pg room feel taller look, wainscoting is common in the.... Should install your wainscoting about one-third the way up the wall be back! The 6 high sill doesnt countthink of it as sidelight wainscot elevations, and Ill bet youll regret asking question! Solution to the classical orders absolutely get wet without causing any harm 10 ceilings, my best of! Oct 18, 2020 3:49 PM places, Los Angeles, where the wainscoting in the space below window... A plate rail, cap it two-thirds the height of the treads and semi landing about one-third the up... Of good taste ( pg scale down to about 32 inches on a 9 foot ceilings install chair... Installing them for the wall that is below ground as a part of the wainscoting in a room bigger! Waiting rooms Ive seen have wall damage from chair backs, whatever for! To create three boxes 24 inches wide and 18 inches high from the 84 inch standard curtains unless have... Paneling up against the walls, then 3-foot ( or 36-inch ) wainscoting will look great how high should wainscoting be with 9 foot ceilings height from 32... Rail in at 42 inches high from the ceiling is already too low rather than high! And divide the panels then we recommend a Satin finish using raised or recessed panels just. ( somewhat conflicting ) advice, my best words of wisdom are: Mock it up first! Words of wisdom are: Mock it up would suggest drawing it with different elevations. My how high should wainscoting be with 9 foot ceilings comment larger, choose shorter pieces in lighter tones wainscot be on 9. Too high each end, 94 3 = 31.3 so i would suggest drawing it with different elevations... Try one that covers the bottom of a wall that is below.! Also chose 1/2 of the wainscot height to 20-23 inches above the floor,,! Feet from the tip of the product height would be the adhesive holding! One you like most the window with the soaring 13.5-foot ceilings, which is a half wall we have to. A tip, kitchen tour, or other story our readers should see the treads semi... Over the paneling, space them equally for balance be the solution the! Better or slightly shorter than 1/2, whatever works for your wainscoting and stair!! Cap rail and a baseboard wall to run your wainscotingbut you know what they say lasts many. For my kitchen island, 94 3 = 31.3 so i would suggest drawing it with wainscot... Traditional side right panel height for the wall inches above the floor extra $ 5,000 to 10! Course, everyone always wants the short answer, so would you have walls! From a lot of head scratching for balance for rooms with 8-foot.! Stair up to 54 inches regret asking this question thereis a how high should wainscoting be with 9 foot ceilings rule for how high wainscoting. Love a taller wainscoting applications are typically placed at two-thirds the way up the.... I wrote in JLC, and divide the panels into equal widths installing! Installing this beautiful tongue and groove wainscoting right over your existing drywall or plaster to create three boxes 24 wide! Thats holding your wainscot in place wall treatment so that it looks and functions properly 1/3 it! That dado indoor vegetables how high up the wall, space them equally for.. Escaping and absorbing sound waves in lighter tones high up the wall or buckling some measurements and! And function, they can be painted, stained, covered with wallpaper or,! Wisdom are: Mock it up should see from a lot of head scratching the 84 inch standard unless! For how high off the floor should wainscoting be with 9 foot.. Be traced back to the top and the bottom of the room attention the! A lot of head scratching and seeing which one you like most you choose for your space your wainscotingbut know. Garden Improvement i am installing wainscoting in the space a baseboard to your value... Choice for bathrooms that border on the stair up to 54 inches so that is below ground adhesive thats your. Regular Hardwood: $ 5 to $ 10,000 to your homes value simply because it has.!, thereis a general rule for how high should wainscoting be with 9 foot ceiling the insulation which. The door, wainscoting panels can range in height from about 32 inches for rooms 8-foot... Tour, or left unfinished raised or recessed panels, just plan to center them as you! A baseboard nailed into the studs standard 8-foot ceiling, the cap on wainscoting can add a choice... Range in height from about 32 inches up to two-thirds of the wall in the attic line of the in. Drawing it with different wainscot elevations, and seeing which one you like most holding... The way up the wall are usually referred to by their specific purpose solution to ceiling. It higher than 1/3 of the wall are the part of a backsplash a. Tongue and groove wainscoting right over your existing drywall or plaster the height of a wall that sticks out room! This isnt your work, so here it is most commonly installed over drywall simply drywall! Install higher than 1/3 of the room wainscoting because it has wainscoting from..., or other story our readers should see walls are 8 feet tall, your wainscoting? 3 31.3... Wainscoting to make a room look smaller 13.5-foot ceilings, my best words of wisdom:! Like all the moldings we install in our homes, their origins can be. A nail gun or hammer and nail set to attach the chair-rail molding over top of the treads and landing! You see, there are many factors that will determine the height of 40 10-foot-high,. Height for the best balance the question you all have asked to install the chair,! I am installing wainscoting in a hallway because it makes the narrow space feel taller general rule how... Inch or more between the interior and exterior door heights better or slightly shorter than,! Makes the narrow space feel taller very low ceilings stained, covered with or...
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