How To Put Up Wainscoting In A Bathroom

Are you looking to add a touch of elegance and charm to your bathroom?

Wainscoting is a classic and timeless way to do just that. Not only does it add visual interest, but it also protects your walls from moisture and wear.

However, the thought of installing wainscoting may seem daunting. Fear not! With our expert step-by-step guide, you can easily transform your bathroom with this classic paneling.

Whether you’re a DIY novice or a seasoned pro, we’ve got you covered. So, let’s dive in and learn how to put up wainscoting in a bathroom!

Step 1: Prepare the Walls

Before you start installing the wainscoting, you need to prepare the walls. This involves removing any existing wall coverings, such as tiles or wallpaper. If you’re removing tiles, use a screwdriver and hammer to gently tap the edge of each tile until it pops off.

Once the walls are bare, measure the desired height for the beadboard. This is usually enough height to cover the space where the tiles were.

Step 2: Install the Beadboard

Next, it’s time to install the beadboard. Start by using a stud finder to locate and mark the center of each stud along the walls. Apply a generous amount of construction adhesive to the back of the first panel and press it against the wall. While holding it in place, use either a nail gun or a hammer and trim nails to nail the panel into the studs.

Nail at the top, middle, and bottom of each stud. Continue around the room gluing and nailing one panel at a time. Make sure that each panel is level with the previous one and that its top is parallel to a level line drawn around the room.

Step 3: Add Molding and Baseboards

Once all of the panels are installed, allow the glue to dry overnight before adding molding and baseboards. Use Liquid Nails to attach vinyl chair rail above the beadboard wainscoting. Adjust the corners of the vinyl chair rail with a miter saw for a neat finish.

Step 4: Caulk and Finish

Finally, caulk all nail holes and seams for a seamless finish. This will also help prevent moisture from seeping behind the wainscoting. Once everything is caulked, you can paint or stain your wainscoting to match your bathroom decor.

Materials And Tools You’ll Need

To install wainscoting in your bathroom, you’ll need the following materials and tools:

– Beadboard panels (choose a non-warping option if installing in a bathroom)

– Measuring tape

– Pencil

– Level

– Stud finder

– Trim (such as vinyl chair rail)

– Wood glue or construction adhesive

– Circular saw or table saw

– Chop saw or miter saw

– Jigsaw

– Nail gun or hammer and trim nails

– Nail driver (nail set)

– Paintable caulk and caulk gun

– Wood filler

– Paint or stain for finishing

It’s important to note that you should order your wood early and allow it to acclimate for a week before starting installation. This will help prevent warping or shrinking of the wood due to changes in humidity. Additionally, make sure to turn off the electrical circuits that serve the room at the main service box and protect floors with heavy paper or dropcloths before starting work.

Measuring And Planning Your Wainscoting

Before you start measuring and planning your wainscoting, decide on the desired height for your beadboard. The typical height ranges from 38-to-42 inches off the ground, or taller than the vanity or sink. However, keep in mind that the one-third rule is just a rule-of-thumb, and the height of your wainscoting depends on the look you want to achieve.

To ensure a uniform and balanced look, use a pencil and tape measure to mark out exactly where you want your panels to be and what size and shape you’re going for. You want all of the wall panels in your room to be the same distance away from the edge of the wall. They should also all be at the same height and the same distance from floor and ceiling.

If you’re going for one panel on each wall, measure the width of each wall and divide it by the number of panels you want. Use that measurement to make hash marks on a strip of wood longer than the wall. This creates a swing stick, a tool that maintains even spacing as you adjust it diagonally to fit the panels onto a wall.

If you’re creating multiple panels that go halfway up the wall, add a line of trim (typically called a chair rail) along the top. The simplest way to install or start a wainscoting project is by planning out your chair rail and boxes with painter’s tape. This allows you to visualize the boxes/chair rails and take measurements before you cut your wood.

Remember to account for any non-square wall crossings when measuring and cutting your panels. Use a jigsaw to make cuts for outlets and light switches.

When measuring for width, try to divide pieces evenly so you’re not left with narrower pieces in a corner. If there isn’t enough space to install an entire panel in a corner, trim one by subtracting 1/8 inch from the top of the last full panel to the wall and 1/8 inch from the bottom of the previous entire panel. Copy these measurements to the back of the panel you’re cutting, drawing a line between each mark. Face the flat panel down and cut it with either a circular saw or jigsaw.

Once cut, position the panel 1/16 inch from the end of the last entire panel. There will be a 1/16-inch expansion space between you and the opposite wall. By following these tips, you can ensure that your wainscoting is measured and planned correctly for a professional-looking finish in your bathroom.

Preparing Your Walls For Installation

Before you start installing wainscoting in your bathroom, you need to prepare the walls. This involves removing any existing wall coverings, such as tiles or wallpaper. If you’re removing tiles, use a screwdriver and hammer to gently tap the edge of each tile until it pops off.

Once the walls are bare, measure the desired height for the beadboard. This is usually enough height to cover the space where the tiles were.

Before installing the beadboard, locate and mark the center of each stud along the walls using a stud finder. This will help ensure that your panels are securely attached to the wall.

When you’re ready to install the beadboard, apply a generous amount of construction adhesive to the back of the first panel and press it against the wall. While holding it in place, use either a nail gun or a hammer and trim nails to nail the panel into the studs. Nail at the top, middle, and bottom of each stud.

Continue around the room gluing and nailing one panel at a time. Make sure that each panel is level with the previous one and that its top is parallel to a level line drawn around the room.

Installing The Baseboard And Chair Rail

Installing the baseboard and chair rail is the next step in putting up wainscoting in a bathroom. First, you need to carefully remove the existing baseboard using a pry bar. Use a stud finder to mark each stud at both the baseboard level and the height of the chair rail.

If you purchase baseboard designed for paneling, it will have a notch already cut into it, allowing the planks to slide under the top edge. The corner ends of the baseboard will need to be cut at 45-degree angles, using a miter saw. The baseboard can be installed first, using construction adhesive and nails at each wall stud. To avoid splitting the baseboard, drill pilot holes for the nails. A nail set should be used to countersink the nails so that the holes can be filled in later.

Next, it’s time to install the chair rail molding. Cut the chair rail to length and check that the pieces fit properly. Apply a generous bead of construction adhesive on the reverse side of the chair rail molding along its length and secure it to the wall with small nails.

If your wainscot installation includes inside corners, you’ll have a choice about how to cut the chair rail. You can miter the two pieces of chair rail to fit against one another in the corner, or cut one of the moldings full-length to go into the corner with a square end-cut and then cope the next chair rail against that one.

It’s likely to be more accurate and will impart less vibration to the wall than a hammer and nail will. All of the vertical pieces of picture molding will be equal in length. Save yourself lots of time: set up a stop on your saw to make sure that all of those vertical pieces will be exactly equal to one another in length.

Once all of the molding is installed, use caulk to fill any gaps between the molding and wall. This will give your wainscoting a professional-looking finish while also helping to prevent moisture from seeping behind it. Finally, paint or stain your wainscoting to match your bathroom decor, and enjoy your newly transformed space!

Cutting And Installing The Wainscoting Panels

Cutting and installing the wainscoting panels is a crucial step in the process of putting up wainscoting in a bathroom. To determine how much paneling you need, divide the total linear footage of the room by the width of the panels in feet. Next, remove any molding that exists and take off outlet covers. You may need a utility knife, a pry bar, and/or a screwdriver for these steps.

Line up your first beadboard panel to the wall, starting from one corner of the wall. You don’t want the beadboard to be resting on the floor, so raise it up a little bit off the floor. Use scrap plywood pieces that are 1/4″ thick to help do this. Also, use a level to make sure the panel is level. Once the beadboard is in place, apply construction adhesive to the back of the panel.

Then, hold the panel up to the wall again, making sure it is level, and attach it with a brad nailer and brad nails. Make sure to place nails into the studs along the top and bottom of the beadboard panel, as well as a few in the middle. Repeat this process for each panel until all panels are installed.

Create a straight line for the top of the panels by making a mark 32-1/2 inches up from the floor. Draw a line around the area using a level. When installing the wainscoting, ensure that its top is parallel to this level line. Due to the 32-inch height of wainscoting, measure up 32-1/2 inches all the way around to account for any issues generated by an uneven floor.

Using a compound miter saw, cut vinyl chair rail to fit around corners and edges for a neat finish. Attach vinyl chair rail above the beadboard wainscoting using Liquid Nails adhesive.

Filling In Nail Holes And Caulking Seams

After you have installed the wainscoting panels and added the molding and baseboards, it’s time to fill in any nail holes and caulk the seams. This is an important step to ensure a professional-looking finish and prevent moisture from seeping behind the wainscoting.

To fill in nail holes, use a wood filler that matches the color of your wainscoting. Apply a small amount of the filler to each hole with a putty knife, making sure to fill it completely. Once the filler has dried, sand it down until it’s flush with the surface of the wainscoting.

To caulk the seams, use a silicone caulk that matches the color of your wainscoting. Apply a thin bead of caulk along each seam, using a caulk gun for precision. Smooth out the caulk with your finger or a caulk smoothing tool, making sure to remove any excess.

Allow the caulk to dry completely before painting or staining your wainscoting. This will ensure that the finish is smooth and even. Once everything is dry, step back and admire your newly installed wainscoting!