QA

How To Do Chair Rail

How do you install chair rail?

Most experts place chair rails at one-third the distance of the ceiling height. For a standard 8-foot ceiling, they should be installed about 32 inches from the floor. Hull cautions that most people install chair rails too high on their walls.

Is chair rail out of style?

As plaster walls turned into wallboard and formal dining rooms lost their popularity, so too did chair rails fade from prominence. Chair rail molding is easy to install, and there are many styles to choose from. If you’re considering adding a chair rail to any room, here are some considerations to keep in mind.

Can you put a chair rail on just one wall?

A chair rail, also known as a dado rail, is a horizontal piece of trim that usually runs the perimeter of a room approx 36″ from the floor, but can also be awkwardly placed on a single wall (popular in the ’90s).

Are chair rails still popular?

Chair rails are still used today to create a more formal and traditional design. If that’s the look your sister wants, chair rails would be a good choice.

What kind of nails do you use for chair rail?

Use a pneumatic nailer or hammer with 2-1/2 inch finishing nails to attach the chair rail to the wall (image 6). Insert the nails through the thick parts of the molding to prevent the wood from splitting.

How do you install a chair rail without a nail gun?

How To Install Chair Rail Without A Nail Gun: 5 Easy Steps Step #1. Measure your space. Step #2. Cut the molding. Step #3. Drill into the studs of your wall. Step #4. Fasten your molding. Step #5. Do the finishing touches.

Which side of chair rail goes up?

There is no right or wrong orientation for a chair rail unless the shape is very obviously intended to have a shelf along the top. It’s a design feature that you can fit to express your own likes and room design.

Does the darker color go above or below the chair rail?

“A lighter wall color is better below the chair rail if the furniture is dark. If the furniture is lighter in value, the wall color below the chair rail can be darker.”.

Does chair rail add value?

Value! Of all the home improvements you can make, chair rail is one of the least demanding in terms of cost and labor. Studies have shown that installing moldings (like crown or chair rail) can have a positive impact on the selling price of a home.

Does chair rail have to match baseboards?

Like many creative pursuits, interior design has guidelines, but no hard and fast rules. The typical trend is to match your chair rail and baseboard colors, but playing with this trend the right way can also make a dramatic visual statement.

How much does it cost to have chair rail installed?

The national average materials cost to install chair rail molding is $1.29 per linear foot, with a range between $1.03 to $1.55. The total price for labor and materials per linear foot is $6.81, coming in between $5.32 to $8.29. A typical 125 linear foot project costs $850.71, with a range of $665.48 to $1,035.95.

What’s the difference between chair rail and wainscoting?

Wainscoting is usually a complete piece of paneling (usually wood). Panel molding reaches above the chair rail (typical chair rail height is approximately 32″ above the floor) and sometimes covers the entire wall.

What is the height for chair rail molding?

As a general rule of thumb, the best height for most walls sits around one-third the distance up the wall from the floor. So, in an eight-foot-tall room, you’d want to hang your chair rail moulding at around 32 inches from the ground. Other experts say that around 25% of the wall’s height is a better placement.

How do you make a chair rail more modern?

14 Chair Rail Moulding Ideas for Your Home Add Some White Space to Eccentric Wallpaper. Match Your Chair Rail with a Dark Wall Color. Add Multiple Layers of Chair Rail. Add Classic and Sophisticated Trim. Match Modern Minimalism with a Flat, Angular Design. Enhance Your Stairwell. Create a Bold Color Scheme.

What is molding halfway up wall called?

Crown Moulding: Also called cornice moulding, it’s used to cover the intersection where the walls and the ceiling meet, usually over a large angle. Crown moulding is always installed sprung (angled).

Do you caulk chair rail?

As with any woodwork, chair rails require a certain amount of maintenance. Most moldings are attached using nothing but nails and over time can become loose. Using caulk to seal the seams of chair rails can give them just the extra bit of flex they need to maintain their position for years to come.

How wide should chair rail be?

The chair rail should measure, at minimum, as wide as the top bar of the chairs. If the chair rail is for decoration or you aren’t working with a homeowner directly, choose a rail between two and four inches wide. Wider chair rails work better in rooms with higher ceilings.

What are Brad nails?

Brad nails, or brads, are made of 18-gauge steel wire. Nail gauge sizes indicate the thickness of the nail. Thinner nails have higher gauge numbers. In addition to being thinner than standard nails, they also feature a smaller head. The slender profile of brad nails helps to prevent splitting on delicate material.

Do you have to nail crown molding into studs?

Crown moldings, or any corner trims really should be nailed to a stud, not simply into unbacked drywall. Without good support, the molding will warp out from the wall causing gaps in coverage to open along the edges.

What can I use instead of a nail gun?

Just pre-drill (pilot) for hardened trim nails. They’ll drive like butter and they’ll set nicely. You can even use one of the nails as a drill bit.

What is the proper height for wainscoting?

What is the proper height for wainscoting? Generally, the cap sits about one-third the way up the wall. So if the ceiling is 9 feet, go for 3-foot wainscoting. For taller wainscoting, such as one with a plate rail, cap it two-thirds the way up the wall.