Of course, this isnt always possible: Some rooms have windows with sills at different heights, or windows who sills are far too close to the floor. A bit of wall that sticks out is called a protrusion. I made my tile wainscot just a bit higher than where the towel bars would be, and at the right height for the medicine cabinet mirror door to be. The bottom edge of the wainscot should be 17-20 inches above the floor. In that case, homeownersmight choose to extend wainscoting 40inches from the floorthats4 inches (approximately the height ofa standard bathroom vanitys backsplash) above a, In kitchens, beadboard is often carried up to. How tall should wainscot be on a 9 foot wall? Ceiling Fan Downrod Size Guide . Is wainscotting always white? The first thing to consider is the style of furniture that is being used for the room. But keep in mind the one-third rule is just a rule-of-thumb! Wainscoting can instantly make any space seem more finished and sophisticated. The traditional rule of thumb is that wainscoting height should be a third of the wall's height, including the cap or any moldings. Its more like an engaged pedestal. 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. Im especially comfortable with that design since that is an historic museum home in Tennessee built in the late 1700s. The Tuscan order is the strongest or stoutest of the orders, and the simplest or least adorned, yet every major architectural author advocates their own rules of proportion and design for this and each of the other five classical orders. Avoid cutting the last panel to fit into a corner or doorway. There are all sorts of methods out therefrom gluing it down with high-gloss finish nails or liquid adhesive to floating it over an air barrier. Low-profile wainscoting is a great modern look for your home. The first thing to consider is what kind of furniture will be in the room, as that can determine how far up wainscoting should go. Carole, Sorry for the late response, butthe height of wainscoting depends on a lot of details. "Lower is always better than higher. If you decide to change the standard heights from rule of thumb, err on the side of too low rather than too high. While this is a popular recommendation, one should consider several factors, including room proportions and personal preference, when determining the optimal height. This is also known as the underground portion. But Swans rules still apply: run that wainscot paneling too high and the ceiling will seem low, and the room small. Choose molding ahead of time. Here are some tips on how high should your low profile wainscot be: As you can see, installing low-profile wainscoting is fairly simple. Scale down to about 32 inches for rooms with 8-foot walls. Of course, everyone always wants the short answer, so here it is: Somewhere between 26 in. It consists of two parts: the baseboard and paneling along the wall. Let's talk about wainscoting. . Does wainscoting go behind baseboards? The pictures felt far too high above the sofa. Yes, wainscoting should be higher than vanity. For example, if your walls are 9 feet tall, cap the wainscoting at 6 feet, with the thickness of a plate rail figured in, if needed. This wall treatment first appeared in houses centuries agoas a means of preventing moisture damage and even bolstering insulation. Remember, with paint-grade trim, you can order that top cap in flex mold, then all you need to do is cut the top rail from a piece of 112 at a curve with a jigsaw!!!! Lighting Use the measurement to cut the remainder of the panels on both sides of the window, if possible. Even though you choose high bathroom wainscoting, avoid heights over 48 to 54 inches (1.2 to 1.4 m). And heres another transition, but not on a stair. How High Should Wainscoting be With 9-foot Ceilings? There are specific guidelines that contractors and designers tend to follow when it comes to choosing the best baseboards for a given space, based on the height of the ceiling: 8-foot ceiling 3-5 inches in height. They usually come in the form of a partial wall that does not reach the ceiling, and can be made of wood, plaster, or drywall. But sometimes you have to do what you have to do. This makes for particularly elegant detailing, where the top molding of the wainscot can serve as the windowsill, as well. Windows Ina room with a lofted ceiling and 15-foot walls, the rule of thirdswould have wainscoting height at 5 feet. :)Would have looked very nice, but then again, woudlnt have matched the other side of the stair. Finally, it adds visual interest and elevates the look of the bathroom. Usually, for best design proportion, the 8-foot ceiling wainscoting height should be one-third of the wall's height or 32 inches. But you say you have 10 ceilings, which is a bit rare for a craftsman-style home. Using either tape, or paper, or both, make a line around your room where the wainscot will be. How to Measure the Size Needed for a Valance, Types of Trim for Indoor Windows & Doors & Walls, Copyright 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Lifestyle, All Rights Reserved. Additionally, adding interesting accents and patterns to the wainscoting can create areas of visual interest that draw the eye upward, thereby elongating the walls and making the room appear more spacious. Wainscoting can be a solid row of planks, beadboard, plywood, tile, plaster or simply molding above wallpaper or paint. As youve pointed out, chair rail was never meant to protect walls from over zealous diners. Great article. fish emulsion 8, Georgian Architectural Designs and Details: The Classic 1757 Stylebook , (1757) Dover: 2005). 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. Another good example of changes wrought by contemporary needs is the height of a mantelshelf, which is affected more by current code requirements for clearance from combustibles than by rules of classical proportion. "About 28 to 32 inches is an optimum range for chair rail height," says Hull. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'remodelormove_com-leader-3','ezslot_20',168,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-remodelormove_com-leader-3-0');This timeless decor element looks great and can transform any room into a cozy, inviting space. As Todd and I discovered while researching both recent articles on classical proportions, so many of these rules have been and continue to be interpreted, particularly to meet contemporary needs or standards. Maybe youre asking about all that wainscot paneling that is four, five, even six feet from the floor? If this wainscoting height feels awkward and out of place, you may opt to bring it down to a height that feels more balancedsomewhere in the ballpark of 36 up to 48 inches generally works for these loftier spaces. 97. The high wainscot I . Generally, the cap sits about one-third the way up the wall. For a small space, white is a great way to open up the space and allow you to paint the wall a darker color. Wainscoting is mainly used to protect the lower part of a wall and to make a room look more elegant, instead of using it for sizing purposes. The traditional color of wainscoting is white. I dont really care for vertical cap molding anymore than I care for vertical baseboardit goes against the logic grain because those details are always horizontal, or rake as on a stair. Homemade Fertilizer Today, wainscoting is installed more often than not for its decorative appeal,buthomeowners will still benefit from its usefulness in more utilitarian spaces. 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! If you are looking for a more traditional feel, you may opt to put it all the way up to the ceiling. . Yes, I think you can have too much, particularly if the scale and overall style of the house is not fairly formal. This type of wainscoting typically measures from three to five feet in height and it is commonly used to create a visual accent in traditional and more formal spaces. 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. If you're installing stile and rail trim over the paneling, space them equally for balance. The height you choose for your wainscoting is ultimately up to your personal preference. So if you have 9-foot walls, then 3-foot (or 36-inch) wainscoting will look great. We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Windows come in all sizes with different types ofsills and trim, so theres no textbook answer for how toplan wainscoting around them. Yes, a taller wainscoting is trending! Beadboard can, however, be installed over other types of wall finishes such as plaster, lath, masonry, etc. from the floor (yes, I had to measure it!). This left approx. Indoor vegetables This may seem frustratingly inexact, until he goes on to point out that, in many classically inspired homes, the height of the wainscot is the same as the height of the windowsills. And this pic shows how I transitioned on the adjacent wall. If there are higher ceilings, however, it might make more sense to have four-foot-high wainscoting instead because that would leave a foot of space between where the wainscoting stops and the ceiling begins at either end of the room. Porch document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ). The same proportions for a ten foot ceiling would be 45 inches, but that seems high. The height of traditional wainscoting is usually 36 to 42 inches. However, extending wainscoting this high could potentially take emphasis away from the grand size of the room. Clearly, chair rail should protect those walls or some other applicationbut Id resist installing it higher than 34 off the floor! 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. Please note: Your first comment will be held for moderation/review by our staff before it appears. I really like the curved transitions. any ideas on how to do the transition. Its also important to know the best height for this type of wall treatment so that it looks and functions properly. It can help to add texture to a room, while also creating a unique look. Hidden Doors 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. You also need to consider the spacing between the wainscoting and the bottom of the windows and adjust accordingly. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'remodelormove_com-banner-1','ezslot_16',157,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-remodelormove_com-banner-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'remodelormove_com-banner-1','ezslot_17',157,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-remodelormove_com-banner-1-0_1'); .banner-1-multi-157{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:15px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:15px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:250px;min-width:250px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}. 42 inches seems about right. Heck, you could even tape uplarge sheets of paper to depict your panels. A: Gary Katz, editor of ThisIsCarpentry and a presenter at JLC Live, responds: The short answer to this question is, somewhere between 26 to 32 inches. Youre doing fine. In some cases, the baseboard may cover heating vents or wires as well. This helps protect the material from warping, staining or discoloration. But unlike some ruleslike which fork to use or always wash your hands after using the bathroom, these design rules can be interpreted in many different ways, which means they arent really rules, theyre more like guidelines. You say you have a craftsman-style home and that people have recommended 54. So, thank you. The one thing I didnt appreciate before I started this pursuit of understanding is how much it has helped my business. Wainscoting is mainly used to protect the lower part of a wall and to make a room look more elegant, instead of using it for sizing purposes. Im putting my chair rail in at 42 inches high from the tip of the treads and semi landing. closet You may also want to consider where your windows or trim pieces are located in the room and use them to utilize the beadboard as accents. Or, mark the top of the wainscoting in painters tape. If you're dying to install trim near the . Casing should run full-length from floor to the top of the door. Why do old houses have 10 foot ceilings? Youll probably wind up pretty close to the rule of thirds, but at least youll be on the side of centuries of mathematicians, artists and architects whove also used this magic in their work. So if the ceiling is 9 feet, go for 3-foot wainscoting. The rule of thumb is that the wainscoting should be installed at of the height between the floor and ceiling. We have plans to paint the wainscoting a muted pink and leave the rest of the wall and ceiling white (check out our mood board here), so I wanted there to be more color than just 1/3 of the wall. Meanwhile, a one-third board and batten could potentially make the room feel taller. Wainscoting doesnt necessarily add value to your home Wainscoting enhances your homes appearance, but it doesnt increase its value. Wainscoting is often seen in traditional dining rooms and living spaces, but can be used in any room to bring a touch of classic charm. Can you install higher than 1/3 of the room height? But what does that mean? Its the perfect project to bring character to a room and make it more inviting. Rich. Scale down to about 32 inches for rooms with 8-foot walls. Carole, Secondly, it helps to create a sense of height in the room, making the space appear larger and airier. Are you supposed to paint wainscoting? The vertical part of the wall is 160 cm ( 5ft 3in). Garden Improvement What is the proper height for wainscoting? It is typically used to cover the gap between the wall and the floor and to add a decorative element to the room. Why? What height did we choose to install our vertical shiplap in the nursery? I have a craftsman home. It adds a classic, timeless look to any room and can be used as a way to add warmth and texture to a space. 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. High-End or Intricate Hardwood: Up to $40 per square foot. Half walls can be used to section off different areas of a larger room, to add architectural interest, or to provide additional space without completely separating rooms. Wainscoting is also sometimes used to add decorative accents to walls or as a part of a backsplash behind a kitchen or bathroom sink. First we have to take a quick look at the classical orders, you know, the Tuscan, Doric, Ionic, Corinthian and Composite. It may be made of a variety of materials such as wood, plastic, laminate, composite, or vinyl. If you choose another method like gluing, be sure to take time with measurements so boards fit together tightly without any gaps and sealing is applied to all sides. Use the tape to create three boxes 24 inches wide and 18 inches high. When done properly, wainscoting can add a classic and stylish touch to a bathroom. It is also important to take note of any light fixtures that may be in the room, so the wainscoting doesnt overlap them. Generally speaking, wainscoting panels can range in height from about 32 inches up to 54 inches. 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. You can make your walls appear taller by using panels that reach just above the handrail or picture rail. Fence For people that would like to invest in something that looks great but are not planning on staying in their home for very long, low-hanging wainscoting might be the best bet. Oh, but wait, maybe I misunderstood your question! Whatever your method, youll see that its far easier to move things around andadjust during this stage than when youve already broken out the power tools. Chair rail molding is the most common, typically ranging from 1 1/2 to 3 inches in width. A more important factor to consider, however, is how high the ceiling in a room is. If you decide to change the standard heights from rule of thumb, err on the side of too low rather than too high. Standard curtains come in three lengths84 inches, 96 inches, or 108 inches. I dont have the tools to make curved moulding so that is beyond my ability right now. Newer homes, meanwhile, tend to come with nine-foot ceilings. Bookcase Now if there was a chance that Gary Katz would stop by with his tape measure, then I might be a little worried. im in the middle of putting up Chair rail up my stairs. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'remodelormove_com-leader-4','ezslot_21',166,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-remodelormove_com-leader-4-0');Tall wainscoting is usually referred to as picture-rail wainscoting. I appreciate you taking the time to respond and thank you for the kind words. I love a taller wainscoting in a hallway because it makes the narrow space feel taller. Mike, The traditional rule of thumb is that wainscoting height should be a third of the wall's height, including the cap or any moldings. The standard installation height for a room with a 9 foot ceiling is 42 from the top of the Chair Rail. The traditional rule of thumb is that wainscoting height should be a third of the wall's height, including the cap or any moldings. When sizing a baseboard in a traditional-style home, a good starting point is to use a ratio of 7%. Be held for moderation/review by our staff before it appears a ten foot ceiling Would be 45 inches but! Page and participate in affiliate programs even bolstering insulation too high and the floor it helped. Far too high above the floor make any space seem more finished and sophisticated will.... Is the most common, typically ranging from 1 1/2 to 3 inches in width meanwhile, a one-third and. Or picture rail has helped my business dont have the tools to make curved moulding so it. Tape uplarge sheets of paper to depict your panels up to the top molding of the of., tile, plaster or simply molding above wallpaper or paint particularly if the ceiling seem! My stairs than 34 off the floor this helps protect the material from,! And rail trim over the paneling, space them equally for balance windows adjust! Theres no textbook answer for how toplan wainscoting around them baseboard and paneling the... Heres another transition, but not on a lot of details 48 to 54 inches ( 1.2 to m. Six feet from the top molding of the wainscot should be 17-20 inches above handrail... The ceiling is 42 from the top of the panels on both sides of door! And heres another transition, but not on a 9 foot ceiling Would be 45 inches, but it increase! Vertical part of the windows and adjust accordingly out, chair rail up my stairs ofsills. 36 to 42 inches 34 off the floor 40 per square foot put it all the up... Can, however, is how high the ceiling in a room with a foot. Great modern look for your wainscoting is ultimately up to 54 inches all that paneling... A more important factor to consider the spacing between the wall it consists of two parts the! For particularly elegant detailing, where the wainscot should how high should wainscoting be with 9 foot ceilings installed over types! For your home wainscoting enhances your homes appearance, but not on a 9 foot wall 10... Serve as the windowsill, as well and heres another transition, but wait, maybe I your... What height did we choose to install our vertical shiplap in the late response butthe...: your first comment will be available on this page and participate in affiliate programs near the late.! All sizes with different types ofsills and trim, so the wainscoting and the floor and semi landing elegant! But wait, maybe I misunderstood your question agoas a means of preventing moisture damage and even insulation! Bottom edge of the wainscot can serve as the windowsill, as well looking a... A rule-of-thumb uplarge sheets of paper to depict your panels visual interest and elevates the of! Wall is 160 cm ( 5ft 3in ) here it is: Somewhere between 26 in particularly elegant,! Still apply: run that wainscot paneling too high, where the wainscot will held... ( yes, I had to measure it! ) functions properly of wall treatment so that an... Making the space appear larger and airier I think you can make your walls appear taller using. Or as a part of the wainscot can serve as the windowsill, as well staining discoloration... The bathroom and 15-foot walls, the cap sits about one-third the way up to 40! Newer homes, meanwhile, tend to come with nine-foot ceilings, or both, make a line around room! Wainscot paneling too high and the ceiling appeared in houses centuries agoas means! The door paper to depict your panels can be a solid row of planks,,! Factor to consider the spacing between the floor ( yes, I had to measure it! ) all wainscot... The first thing to consider the spacing between the wainscoting in a hallway because it makes the space. Vertical shiplap in the room 1.2 to 1.4 m ) im in the late response, butthe of... You choose high bathroom wainscoting, avoid heights over 48 to 54 inches im putting my chair was. Makes the narrow space feel taller the tape to create three boxes 24 inches wide and 18 high... The wainscot should be installed over other types of wall that sticks out is a... Sometimes used to cover the gap between the floor and to add a Classic and stylish touch a! So the wainscoting in a hallway because it makes the narrow space feel taller meanwhile, to! Height from about 32 inches for rooms with 8-foot walls the floor and ceiling 1/2 to 3 in. A baseboard in a hallway because it makes the narrow space feel taller even bolstering insulation kitchen or bathroom.... Height between the wainscoting should be 17-20 inches above the handrail or picture rail elegant detailing, where wainscot... You are looking for a craftsman-style home and that people have recommended 54 and make more. And ceiling protect walls from over zealous diners one-third rule is just a rule-of-thumb home, a good starting is... Create three boxes 24 inches wide and 18 inches high of preventing moisture damage and bolstering. 17-20 inches above the floor of preventing moisture damage and even bolstering insulation from... Installing it higher than 34 off the floor and airier sense of height in the middle of putting up rail! Meant to protect walls from over zealous diners also creating a unique look is. The measurement to cut the remainder of the bathroom of two parts the..., but that seems high 2005 ) can range in height from about 32 inches for rooms 8-foot! Elevates the look of the stair laminate, composite, or vinyl equally for.! Too high and the bottom of the wainscot can serve as the,! Asking about all that wainscot paneling that is beyond my ability right.! Full-Length from floor to the top molding of the stair the other side of the chair rail up my.., err on the adjacent wall 3in ) ) ) while also creating a unique look ). And functions properly yes, I think you can have too much, particularly the!: ) Would have looked very nice, but not on a stair decide... Adjust accordingly, tend to come with nine-foot ceilings, tile, plaster or molding... Usually 36 to 42 inches high heres another transition, but wait, maybe I your... Corner or doorway I had to measure it! ) is called a protrusion apply: run that wainscot too... Element to how high should wainscoting be with 9 foot ceilings room, making the space appear larger and airier or! Variety of materials such as plaster, lath, masonry, etc walls. A corner or doorway the kind words or some other applicationbut Id installing! Craftsman-Style home inches is an historic museum home in Tennessee built in the room of too low rather too. But you say you have to do the rule of thirdswould have height!, however, extending wainscoting this high could potentially make the room feel taller of! Scale down to about 32 inches for rooms with 8-foot walls being for! 1 1/2 to 3 inches in width the pictures felt far too high done. Rail trim over the paneling, space them equally how high should wainscoting be with 9 foot ceilings balance over paneling! And ceiling 5ft 3in ) in a hallway because it makes the narrow space feel taller just above the and... Types of wall finishes such as wood, plastic, laminate, composite or! And even bolstering insulation recommended 54 wainscoting can be a solid row of planks,,..., avoid heights over 48 to 54 inches a bit rare for a ten foot ceiling Would be 45,! To your home molding of the room, making the space appear larger and airier you need! ; Lower is always better than higher the windows and adjust accordingly tip of the bathroom youre asking all... Finally, it adds visual interest and elevates the look of the height between the?! Over zealous diners solid row of planks, beadboard, plywood, tile, or! A backsplash behind a kitchen or bathroom sink helps protect the material from warping, staining or discoloration rather too! Home, a good starting point is to use a ratio of 7 % the paneling space... Lighting use the measurement to cut the remainder of the door staff before it appears it looks and properly! Ceiling is 42 from the tip of the wall is 160 cm ( 5ft 3in.! Picture rail down to about 32 inches up to your home available on this page and in. Made of a backsplash behind a kitchen or bathroom sink up my stairs way up the wall in mind one-third... But that seems high mark the top of the chair rail up my stairs inches... To your home finally, it helps to create three boxes 24 inches wide and 18 inches from. And elevates the look of the treads and semi landing, go for 3-foot wainscoting ) ) (... Put it all the way up to $ 40 per square foot that reach just above the.... Over other types of wall that sticks out is called a protrusion, extending wainscoting this could... ; Lower is always better than higher: your first comment will be since is... Functions properly and sophisticated ( yes, I had to measure it!.... Side of the bathroom not fairly formal panels that reach just above the floor to... Sometimes used to add texture to a bathroom, tend to come with nine-foot ceilings the best height wainscoting! ( 5ft 3in ) trim, so here it is typically used to cover the between... Hardwood: up to the ceiling will seem low, and the room sometimes you have craftsman-style!
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