Wainscot a Room with a Wallcovering | |
Traditionally, wainscoting is wood paneling installed on the bottom third of the wall that is both practical and attractive. You can achieve a similar but lighter decorating look in a room by using washable prepasted wallcovering as wainscoting. This is an inexpensive wall treatment that works in any room and it's particularly attractive in a dining area, hallway, or kid's bedroom where it protects the walls from the bumps and nicks of chairs, and of course, the kid's toys. The project involves wallpapering and carpentry, but don't be intimidated if you're not a seasoned pro. The skills and tools are easily mastered. Hanging wallcovering on the lower third of a wall is easier than papering an entire room and the carpentry work is basic, just cutting and fitting chair rail molding around the room. To hang the wallcovering, you'll need a measuring tape, scissors, smoothing brush, wide putty knife, razor knife, and a plumb line or carpenter's level. For the chair rail you need a miter box, saw, hammer, construction adhesive, and finish nails. Wainscoting is traditionally 30-32 inches high measured up from the floor. To determine how much wallcovering is needed, measure the perimeter of the room and then subtract out the area of the windows and doors since no wainscotting is applied there. For a typical 12 by 14 foot room with two windows and two doors you will need about 36 running feet of wainscoting. Figure the wallcovering will have to be cut into 36 in. or longer strips to allow for trimming or if the pattern has a long repeat. For a simple pattern, you need about 108 sq. ft. of wallcovering. A single roll of American wallcovering covers about 28 square feet so four rolls are needed. You'll need about 50 feet of chair rail. Before hanging the wallcovering, wash the baseboard and dust the wall. To establish a straight horizontal layout line for the chair rail, start at one end of a wall and measure up 31 inches from the floor and make a mark on the wall. Make another mark at the other end of the wall and then use a chalk line to snap a layout line between the two marks. Do the same on the other walls. To establish a straight layout line to guide you as you hang the wallcovering, use the chalk line vertically to mark the wall. A good beginning place is a few inches out from an inconspicuous corner. Cut a piece of wallcovering 36 inches and hold it in place. Arrange the pattern to your liking. Cut another 36 in. strip and check that you can match the pattern by moving it up and down slightly. You may have to cut the strips a bit longer if the pattern repeat of the covering is widely spaced. To activate the paste, soak a couple of pieces in water in the bathtub or a wallpaper tray. Then apply the first piece of wallcovering to the wall and align its edge with the vertical layout line. Smooth it out with the brush to remove any air bubbles or creases. Use a wide blade putty knife to guide your razor and trim the paper at the top and bottom. Work your way around the room hanging the wallcovering. The chair rail molding trims it off to complete the job. Before you install it stain or paint the molding. Then cut it to length making miter corners. Then attach it to the wall with construction adhesive and #6d finish nails. Written by the editors of HouseNet Copyright HouseNet, Inc. |