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How do you install chair rail?
Most experts place chair rails at one-third the distance of the ceiling height. For a standard 8-foot ceiling, they should be installed about 32 inches from the floor. Hull cautions that most people install chair rails too high on their walls.
What is the proper height for a chair rail?
As a general rule of thumb, the best height for most walls sits around one-third the distance up the wall from the floor. So, in an eight-foot-tall room, you’d want to hang your chair rail moulding at around 32 inches from the ground. Other experts say that around 25% of the wall’s height is a better placement.
Can you put a chair rail on just one wall?
A chair rail, also known as a dado rail, is a horizontal piece of trim that usually runs the perimeter of a room approx 36″ from the floor, but can also be awkwardly placed on a single wall (popular in the ’90s).
Is chair rail out of style 2020?
Chair rails are still used today to create a more formal and traditional design. If that’s the look your sister wants, chair rails would be a good choice.
What kind of nails do you use for chair rail?
Use a pneumatic nailer or hammer with 2-1/2 inch finishing nails to attach the chair rail to the wall (image 6). Insert the nails through the thick parts of the molding to prevent the wood from splitting.
Which side of chair rail goes up?
There is no right or wrong orientation for a chair rail unless the shape is very obviously intended to have a shelf along the top. It’s a design feature that you can fit to express your own likes and room design.
How do you install a chair rail without a nail gun?
How To Install Chair Rail Without A Nail Gun: 5 Easy Steps Step #1. Measure your space. Step #2. Cut the molding. Step #3. Drill into the studs of your wall. Step #4. Fasten your molding. Step #5. Do the finishing touches.
Can I use baseboard as chair rail?
It is easier to trim a little extra than to replace missing material. Molding for chair rails may not always be sold as such. If you think molding of a particular shape would look good as a chair rail, use it, even if it is labeled for use as a baseboard.
Does chair rail have to match baseboards?
Like many creative pursuits, interior design has guidelines, but no hard and fast rules. The typical trend is to match your chair rail and baseboard colors, but playing with this trend the right way can also make a dramatic visual statement.
Does chair rail add value?
Value! Of all the home improvements you can make, chair rail is one of the least demanding in terms of cost and labor. Studies have shown that installing moldings (like crown or chair rail) can have a positive impact on the selling price of a home.
Does the darker color go above or below the chair rail?
“A lighter wall color is better below the chair rail if the furniture is dark. If the furniture is lighter in value, the wall color below the chair rail can be darker.”.
How much does it cost to have chair rail installed?
The national average materials cost to install chair rail molding is $1.29 per linear foot, with a range between $1.03 to $1.55. The total price for labor and materials per linear foot is $6.81, coming in between $5.32 to $8.29. A typical 125 linear foot project costs $850.71, with a range of $665.48 to $1,035.95.
Do you caulk chair rail?
As with any woodwork, chair rails require a certain amount of maintenance. Most moldings are attached using nothing but nails and over time can become loose. Using caulk to seal the seams of chair rails can give them just the extra bit of flex they need to maintain their position for years to come.
What rooms should have chair rail?
If you imagine the wall height divided vertically into three sections, the chair rail is best placed at the line between the bottom and middle thirds of the wall. For example, in a 10-foot-high room (120 inches), the chair rail can be placed 40 inches above the floor.
Can you put a chair rail in a bedroom?
Simply install a chair rail in the bedroom and you’re on your way. Bedroom chair rail molding is inexpensive and easy to install, and provides an opportunity to introduce a second paint color, wallpaper, or beadboard above or below the molding, as these bedroom chair rail ideas demonstrate beautifully.
Is wainscoting dated?
Wainscoting is a design feature dating back several centuries. But it’s come a long way since its traditional British origins as oak paneling. Today, this decorative element can be found in a variety of materials and used with many décor styles.
What can you use instead of chair rail?
Chair Rail Alternatives Ribbon. Use ribbon as a chair rail alternative by adhering it with a thin coating of wallpaper glue. Paint Shades and Patterns. Fabric. Vinyl Appliqués. Decorative Buttons.
What’s the difference between chair rail and wainscoting?
Wainscoting is usually a complete piece of paneling (usually wood). Panel molding reaches above the chair rail (typical chair rail height is approximately 32″ above the floor) and sometimes covers the entire wall.
What are Brad nails?
Brad nails, or brads, are made of 18-gauge steel wire. Nail gauge sizes indicate the thickness of the nail. Thinner nails have higher gauge numbers. In addition to being thinner than standard nails, they also feature a smaller head. The slender profile of brad nails helps to prevent splitting on delicate material.
What can I use if I don’t have a nail gun?
4 Answers. You could get something called a trim screw. They also sell them in white if you wish to match the color and not cover the hole with putty. It sounds like you don’t feel comfortable with trim nails as you might damage the surface of the material with your hammer.
