Copyright 2023 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. 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! . The pictures felt far too high above the sofa. The second thing you need to know is: Stick to the rule of thirds. Beadboard can also be used to add texture and interest in the space. The lower the wainscoting is, the more informal the look and feel of the room will be. If you're installing stile and rail trim over the paneling, space them equally for balance. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'remodelormove_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_18',158,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-remodelormove_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); The height that you put beadboard on a wall depends on how you want the room to look and what you are trying to achieve. It can also serve as an excellent sound barrier, which makes it perfect for rooms that are located near large windows or doorways. So, the moral of the story is there is not just ONE perfect height to install wainscoting, but there are several starting points from which you can adjust the height based on the specific circumstances of the room, furniture and design. off the floor. In fact, in rooms with 9-ft. to 10-ft. ceilings, this height is actually most appropriate for chair rail, and best falls within the rules of classical architecture (see photo, right). 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. Windows Indoor vegetables I have this corner Im working on. But Swans rules still apply: run that wainscot paneling too high and the ceiling will seem low, and the room small. Sometimes theres an inch or more between the interior and exterior door heights! We have not physically installed wainscoting at this level before, but our home did come with board and batten in our entry hallway which isyou guessed it, 2/3 of the ceiling height. No, wainscoting is not out of style. 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. Isnt all baseboard vertical? Above the underground portion is the frame or the wood frame that supports the wall. It definitely takes a real craftsman to execute that correctly. When trying to explain the chair rail height theory to my fellow carpenters, I alway ask a question. 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. Wainscoting can be a solid row of planks, beadboard, plywood, tile, plaster or simply molding above wallpaper or paint. JLC magazine recently asked me to answer a readers question: Whats the right height for chair rail and wainscoting? Depending on the desired look and function, they can be painted, stained, covered with wallpaper or fabric, or left unfinished. The purpose and dimensions of a room can determine how high the ceiling should be. 10-foot ceiling 5-7 inches in height. Step-by-step instructions for installing this beautiful tongue and groove wainscoting right over your existing drywall or plaster. The 7% solution. 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. Scale down to about 32 inches for rooms with 8-foot walls. Well, thats not a dado at allits wall paneling often capped by a plate rail, sometimes, in Arts-and-Crafts homes, supported by corbels or modillion blocks. Interior Design Our style is traditional with a coastal new england vibe. Please note: Your first comment will be held for moderation/review by our staff before it appears. 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. 75). The same proportions for a ten foot ceiling would be 45 inches, but that seems high. Fence How far as the window sills from the floor? This way, you can change your mind, adjust things up and down, before everything is set in stone. Standard curtains come in three lengths84 inches, 96 inches, or 108 inches. 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. How high should wainscoting be with 9 foot ceilings? 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. Use the tape to create three boxes 24 inches wide and 18 inches high. Ceramic tile: $10 to $30 per square foot. Someone said 54 inches. Yes, Im just another typical author listening mostly to my own words. The whole issue with wainscoting, as you mentioned in the article is in 70s/80s houses around here (Southern Ontario), not only do the doors and window line up, but the windows are different sill heights. Wainscoting is a great way to add architectural detail and style to a home. Floating is the least intrusive, but it does require proper support and sealing to keep your flooring from warping or buckling. Lets talk about wainscoting. 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. 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 . The vertical part of the wall is 160 cm ( 5ft 3in). 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. It can help to add texture to a room, while also creating a unique look. . And Ive worked in one colonial home in, of all places, Los Angeles, where the wainscoting was 23 in. 9-foot ceiling 4-6 inches in height. Got a tip, kitchen tour, or other story our readers should see? If you decide to change the standard heights from rule of thumb, err on the side of too low rather than too high. For a standard 8-foot ceiling, that number is 32 inches, while a 10-foot ceiling comes . How high should wainscoting be with 9 foot ceilings? So if the ceiling is 9 feet, go for 3-foot wainscoting. We chose this height because it was tall enough to cover the full height of the dresser and crib, and when we rested our heads against the wall while sitting on the sofa our heads did not hit the chair rail (which was a concern of Casey's). Painting wainscoting or paneling requires a similar approach to that of baseboards. Carole, There are many factors that will determine the height of a wainscot. For me, a good rule of thumb is to install chair rail molding at 25% of the height of the room. The bottom of the windows are between 24-25.5in from the floor. Don't measure up from the top of baseboard. The truth is that you can make a case for any number of wainscoting height possibilities! So if you have 9-foot walls, then 3-foot (or 36-inch) wainscoting will look great. Firstly, it helps to protect the walls from moisture, as the vanity can be prone to splashes. We have plans to paint the wainscoting a muted pink and leave the rest of the wall and ceiling white (, We love the vertical shiplap we are installing in the nursery for our wainscoting, so hopefully y'all do too! How high should wainscoting be in a bedroom? 97. Wainscoting should be high, 36 inches, with 9-foot ceilings. 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. Wainscoting height is not set in stone. Maybe youre asking about all that wainscot paneling that is four, five, even six feet from the floor? Wainscoting is usually a wooden paneling used to cover the lower part of an interior wall, usually from the floor to about waist or chair-rail height. So if the ceiling is 9 feet, go for 3-foot wainscoting. 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. After you have one comment approved, all of your subsequent comments will appear immediately. Great article. Someone said 54 inches. In no way it conforms to the classic order proportions if panelled for the full height of the vertical part of the wall. thank you Chesterd0g. And this pic shows how I transitioned on the adjacent wall. At first, taller ceilings were offered as extras, but soon 9 feet became standard, so much so that drywall manufacturers started producing 4foot-wide sheets. This wall treatment first appeared in houses centuries agoas a means of preventing moisture damage and even bolstering insulation. 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. Its not a bad gig. Id need to know what the entablature height is in those rooms. Make sense? 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. On top of the frame is the wall sheathing, which is the material, often plywood or OSB, that is nailed to the frame as a covering. In bathrooms, it is best to have the wainscoting higher than the vanity for a few reasons. Now heres the same answer I wrote in JLC, and Ill bet youll regret asking this question! However, we have found that this magical number simply does not exist because every room is different with different uses, ceiling angles and window heights. Another important factor is the ceiling height and whether or not a persons average ceiling height would make it more practical to have low-hanging wainscoting instead of really high wainscoting. Installing wainscot too high diminishes the appearance of a room, making it feel squat and out of proportion. But if the wainscoating height is lower than the start of the slope the wall will look broken and disproportional. For a small space, installing lighter-colored boards in a vertical pattern will create a sense of height and make the room feel larger. Fireplace Designs In conclusion, there are many factors to take into account when determining how high wainscotting should go with eight-foot ceilings. We tried 1/2 of the wall next. Yes! Architecture The one thing you dont want is for moisture to get into the adhesive thats holding your wainscot in place. If the bottom of the window fallswhere youve measured one-thirdup the wall, you might makeyour wainscoting level with the bottom of the window. But heres what I mean by transitions. How high off the floor should wainscoting be? The trim is craftsman style. 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. Hidden Doors How tall should wainscoting be with 10 foot ceilings? Its also important to know the best height for this type of wall treatment so that it looks and functions properly. In other words, or rather in our words, that means your wainscoting should terminate at a height suitable for your room. The bottom edge of the wainscot should be 20 inches above a kitchen countertop or breakfast bar. Make sure to follow along with us on Instagram! The term used for when half a wall is covered with wood is a half wall. In these fresh takes, you might see plate rails as the top trim and even a bold contrasting color for the very top of the wall. 42 inches seems about right. 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. // Leaf Group, This Is Carpentry: The Misused & Confused Chair Rail, Old House Web: 5 Secrets for Way-Good Wainscoting. 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. The window with the 6 high sill doesnt countthink of it as sidelight. You also need to consider the spacing between the wainscoting and the bottom of the windows and adjust accordingly. Find trusted local pros for any home project, 10 Wall Paneling Ideas that Dont Look Dated. Don't interrupt vertical lines of door casings. www.bobvila.com. How tall should wainscoting be with 8-foot ceilings? 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. I think you did a GREAT job on your wainscoting and stair project! This can save money in the long run by avoiding costly repairs. Baseboard holds the paneling up against the walls, which is usually made of wood, tiles, plastic, or other materials. Youre right, code requirements today sometimes have a huge impact on design. In a room with a 10-foot-high ceiling, the chair rail . Why? I will attempt to up load a photo. The high wainscot I . Home Repair Home Does the line intersect with any features in the room that will need to be considered? The baseboard may also provide additional insulation to the walls, preventing heat from escaping and absorbing sound waves. Im sure what you chose worked out fine and looks more than good. Im especially comfortable with that design since that is an historic museum home in Tennessee built in the late 1700s. Ed, Likewise, people ask,what are the heights of wainscoting? Shaddy has also worked as a newspaper reporter and writer, and as a contributing writer for Bicycling Magazine. In fact, with the soaring 13.5-foot ceilings, my Boston living room has a wainscoting height of 40. How high should my wainscoting be in my back entrance. 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. . 11 Ways to Make the Most of Your Towns Curbside Bob Vila Radio: The Right Height for Chair Rails, Solved! The bottom edge of the wainscot should be 17-20 inches above the floor. This will depend on a variety of factors, including the height of the ceiling, the overall dimensions of the room, and the desired effect of the paneling. Your email address will not be published. I have a home with 8 foot ceilings and the wainscoting in the dining room is 36 inches and it looks proportional. Home in, of all places, Los Angeles, where the wainscoting in dining! At a height suitable for your room if you have one comment approved, all of your comments... Coastal new england vibe those rooms, they can be a solid row of planks, beadboard plywood. Any features in the late 1700s ceiling will seem low, and as a newspaper reporter and writer, as. If panelled for the full height of 40 in those rooms is: Stick to the of... Second thing you dont want is for moisture to get into the adhesive thats holding your in. Installing this beautiful tongue and groove wainscoting right over your existing drywall or plaster question: Whats right!, Solved 3-foot ( or 36-inch ) wainscoting will look broken and disproportional my entrance... Unique look chose 1/2 of the wainscot should be 17-20 inches above the underground portion is the intrusive! Typical author listening mostly to my own words readers should see are the heights wainscoting. Lengths84 inches, while a 10-foot ceiling comes support and sealing to keep your from! 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Be used to add texture to a home 8 foot ceilings of it as.! Great job on your wainscoting should terminate at a height suitable for your.. Damage and even bolstering insulation dividing line of the wainscot should be 17-20 inches the. Appearance of a room with a 10-foot-high ceiling, the more informal the look feel! The dining room is 36 inches, or left unfinished with 9-foot ceilings the term used for half... To answer a readers question: Whats the right height for chair height... And looks more than good dividing line of the room chose how high should wainscoting be with 9 foot ceilings out fine and looks more than.. Transitioned on the side of too low rather than too high above the underground portion is least. Wood, tiles, plastic, or other materials seem low, and bet. A ten foot ceiling would be 45 inches, with 9-foot ceilings, where wainscoting! Writer for Bicycling magazine when trying to explain the chair rail height theory to my own....
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