Are you tired of looking at your plain and boring plaster walls?
Do you want to add some warmth and character to your room without breaking the bank?
Installing wainscoting may be the perfect solution for you!
Not only does it add a touch of elegance to any space, but it also protects your walls from water damage.
In this article, we’ll show you how to install wainscoting directly over your existing plaster walls, without having to cut into them.
With just a few basic carpentry tools and some patience, you can transform your room into a cozy and inviting space.
So, let’s get started!
How To Install Wainscoting Over Plaster Walls
Step 1: Prepare the Room
Before you begin, make sure to turn off the electrical circuits that serve the room at the main service box. Unscrew the receptacles and switches and pull them out a few inches from the wall. As an extra precaution, cover the screw terminals on each switch and receptacle with a wrap of electrical tape.
Next, protect your floors by covering them with two layers of heavy paper or cardboard taped down. If you have carpeted floors, use canvas dropcloths instead.
Step 2: Locate and Mark the Studs
Using a stud finder, locate and mark the studs on the wall. Most studs are 16 inches apart, so once you find one, the others are easy to locate.
Step 3: Measure and Cut Your Wainscoting
Measure the height of your wall and cut your wainscoting to size using a circular saw or a jigsaw. Be sure to leave space for your baseboard and cap.
Step 4: Install Your Wainscoting
Starting at one end of the wall, apply construction adhesive to the back of your wainscoting and press it firmly against the wall. Use a level to ensure that it is straight.
Next, nail your wainscoting to the studs using a pneumatic finish nail gun. Be sure to nail it securely to prevent any movement or shifting over time.
Repeat this process for each section of wainscoting until you reach the end of the wall.
Step 5: Install Your Baseboard and Cap
Once your wainscoting is installed, it’s time to add your baseboard and cap. Measure and cut them to size using a circular saw or a jigsaw.
Apply construction adhesive to the back of your baseboard and press it firmly against the bottom of your wainscoting. Nail it in place using a pneumatic finish nail gun.
Repeat this process for your cap, making sure that it is level with your baseboard.
Step 6: Finish Your Wainscoting
Fill any nail holes or gaps with wood filler and sand them smooth once dry. Then, paint or stain your wainscoting to match your decor.
And there you have it! With just a few basic tools and some patience, you can install wainscoting over your plaster walls and transform your room into a cozy and inviting space.
Measuring And Planning Your Wainscoting Design
Before you begin installing your wainscoting, it’s important to plan out your design. Start by creating a scale drawing of each wall in the room, showing all doors, windows, electrical outlets and switches, air vents, radiators, and other features. The baseboard and door and window casings should also be shown on the drawing.
Decide on the height of your wainscoting. Wainscoting is typically between 30 in. and 42 in. tall. The chair rail of the wainscot should be set at the desired height. I like to locate the chair rail one-third to two-fifths of the way up the wall. Use a molding 11/2 in. to 21/2 in. wide.
Draw the rails and end stiles. Once you’ve determined the height of the chair rail, draw the rails. The proportions of the rails and stiles should relate to the other trim in the room. The rails should be between one-third and two-thirds the width of the baseboard. I usually make my rails and stiles between 2 in. and 31/2 in. wide and keep the stiles the same width as the rails. Draw an end stile next to the side casings of each window and each door.
Add intermediate stiles that create the frames for the panels (the blue-gray shaded stiles in the bottom drawing). Paneling will be most pleasing if you establish a regular module that repeats as it wraps around the room. Sometimes this is easier to accomplish with wide, horizontal panels. Other times, narrow vertical panels look best.
In sizing panels, aim to create rectangles with a 3:5 ratio. It’s smart to begin in the center of the wall or in the center between two windows or doors, and work toward the corners. The space left over at the end of the section probably won’t be a typical panel width.
Once you have a panel module, take that width to the other walls and chase it around the room. You might find that you need to adjust panel widths as you lay out the room. It could take a few trials before you find the standard panel width that creates the most-pleasing corner panels.
Whether you place stiles in the corners depends on each room’s circumstances, but be consistent. Either each inside corner should have two stiles (larger end panels), or none of the corners should have any (smaller end panels). Generally, it is best to use stiles on each side of all outside corners.
Using these planning tips will help ensure that your wainscoting installation goes smoothly and looks beautiful once completed.
Preparing Your Plaster Walls For Wainscoting
Before installing wainscoting over your plaster walls, it’s important to prepare the room properly. Start by removing any window and door trim and baseboards from the walls.
Next, locate and mark the studs on the wall using a stud finder. This will help you know where to nail your wainscoting securely.
If your plaster walls are in poor condition, you may need to repair any cracks or holes before installing the wainscoting. You can do this by filling them with joint compound and sanding them smooth once dry.
It’s also a good idea to acclimate your wood panels in the room for about a week before installation. This will allow them to adjust to the humidity level in your home and prevent any warping or shrinking after installation.
Finally, cover your floors with heavy paper or cardboard and turn off the electrical circuits that serve the room at the main service box. Unscrew the receptacles and switches and pull them out a few inches from the wall. As an extra precaution, cover the screw terminals on each switch and receptacle with a wrap of electrical tape.
By following these steps, you can ensure that your plaster walls are properly prepared for wainscoting installation and that your finished product looks beautiful and lasts for years to come.
Installing The Wainscoting Panels
Step 1: Measure and Cut Your Stiles
To determine how long to cut your stiles, first measure the distance between the top rail and the old baseboard at three points. Use the shortest one and subtract the height of the bottom-rail stock. Set up a stop block on a miter saw and cut all the stiles to that length.
Step 2: Place Your Stiles Uniformly
Cut a scrap spacer block to your panel width marked on the tape, minus the width of one stile, and use it to place the stiles uniformly. Apply panel adhesive to the back of each one and attach using a nail gun and 21/2-inch finishing nails.
Step 3: Fill in Seams with Caulk
Run a bead of paintable caulk in between each panel, in the corners, where the trim meets the beadboard, and where the trim meets the wall. This will help to fill any gaps or seams and create a seamless look.
Step 4: Fill in Nail Holes with Wood Filler
After attaching your panels, use wood filler to fill in any holes created by your nail gun or driver. Let it dry, then sand it down until smooth.
Step 5: Install Your Baseboard Molding
Finally, glue and nail your baseboard molding to the wall. This will give your wainscoting a finished look while also protecting your walls from any damage.
Congratulations! You’ve successfully installed your wainscoting panels over your plaster walls. With these easy steps, you can add character and charm to any room in your home.
Adding Trim And Molding For A Finished Look
Once your wainscoting is installed, you can add trim and molding to give it a polished and finished look. There are various types of molding available in the market, but for a custom finish, you can create your own using wood glue and trim.
To create your own molding, use chair rail molding designed to sit atop paneling. Trim pieces will need to be specially cut to fit seamlessly into the corners. Use a chop saw or a circular saw with the blade set to make a 45-degree cut.
If your design includes baseboards, install them before placing the wainscoting panels. Apply adhesive to baseboard pieces in a zigzag pattern and press them firmly into place. The ends of corner pieces should be cut at a 45-degree angle so they fit together once installed. Then, nail the baseboards according to manufacturer instructions.
If your wainscoting design includes base molding, install those pieces before the panels. Apply adhesive to the backs of the baseboard pieces in a zigzag pattern and press them firmly into place. Cut the ends of corner pieces at a 45-degree angle so they fit together once installed. Depending on the manufacturer’s guidelines, you may be able to nail the molding in place for additional security.
For a more decorative look, you can also add panel molding to your wainscoting. Panel molding is installed on top of the paneling and creates a framed effect around each panel. To install panel molding, measure and cut each piece to size using a circular saw or jigsaw. Apply adhesive to the back of each piece and press it firmly onto the paneling. Nail it in place using a pneumatic finish nail gun.
Finally, fill any nail holes or gaps with wood filler and sand them smooth once dry. Then, paint or stain your wainscoting and trim to match your decor.
Adding trim and molding is an excellent way to elevate your wainscoting installation and give it a professional finish. With a little bit of creativity and patience, you can create a beautiful and inviting space that will impress your guests for years to come.