QA

Question: How To Put Up Chair Rail Molding

Which way does chair rail molding go?

As a general rule, chair rail should be applied one-third of the way up the wall from the floor—so for a room with an 8-foot ceiling, installing the chair rail at around 32 inches is a safe bet.

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.

Is chair rail out of style 2020?

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.

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.

Can you put chair rail on only 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).

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.

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.

Can I use chair rail for crown molding?

In a traditional sense – no. Crown molding is not used as a chair rail. Crown molding is designed to cover imperfections where the walls of a room meet the ceiling. A chair rail, which sits much lower on the walls, typically has a much slimmer profile and doesn’t extend as far from the wall as crown molding.

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.”.

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.

What is the standard height for chair rail molding?

It’s true that the average chair rail height will be around 32 inches. However, they can be positioned anywhere from 24 to 72 inches from the floor, depending on the height of the walls and the proportions you’re hoping to achieve.

How do you measure for chair rail molding?

To determine the height of the chair rail, measure the height of the ceiling and divide it by three. The general rule is that the chair rail should be about 1/3 of the way up from the floor (between 32″ and 36″ for an 8′ ceiling). You can also slide a chair up to the wall and mark where it would hit the wall.

What is chair rail molding used for?

Chair rail is a type of moulding that is used in the middle of a wall. Originally, chair rail moulding was added to dining rooms to protect plaster walls from getting damaged by dining room chairs. These days, chair rail moulding isn’t just about adding protection to vulnerable walls.

What is Cap moulding?

A base cap moulding is a decorative wood profile applied to the top of a piece of baseboard to create an attractive, elegant look.

Does chair rail go on top of wainscoting?

Add Molding Add the trim using the same basic method as the paneling. Use a nail gun or hammer and nail set to attach the chair-rail molding over top of the wainscoting.

What kind of Moulding do you use for wainscoting?

Your materials depend on which style you choose to install. The least expensive wainscot detail is to use a chair rail molding and a picture molding (not to be confused with a picture-rail molding). You can use this to create the simulated panels below the chair rail.

Do you glue or nail wainscoting?

The fastest and least expensive wainscot installation is the glue-and-nail method. You apply panel adhesive to hold the bead board in position and then nail it to the drywall with a fine finish nail or even a pneumatic pin nail. A large nail will increase the clamping effect.

What is the trim halfway up a wall called?

Chair rail by definition is molding on an interior wall that is attached horizontally around the perimeter of a room. Most people associate chair rail as a type of trim that prevents chairs from rubbing against the walls.

What can you use instead of chair rail?

Chair Rail Alternatives Ribbon. Use ribbon as a chair rail alternative by adhering it with a thin coating of wallpaper glue. Paint Shades and Patterns. Fabric. Vinyl Appliqués. Decorative Buttons.