Table of Contents
How do you build a chair rail?
What angle do you cut chair rail corners?
Test outside corners for a tight fit Outside corners often flare out slightly, so that the chair rail needs to be cut at more than 45 degrees. To get the exact angle, cut two scrap pieces at 46 degrees, then adjust the angle of the cut until the joint is tight (Photo 6).
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.
What is chair rail molding?
Chair rail is a type of moulding that is used in the middle of a wall. Originally, chair rail moulding was added to dining rooms to protect plaster walls from getting damaged by dining room chairs. It’s a decorative element that can elevate a room’s design.
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.
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.
Which way does chair rail molding go?
As a general rule, chair rail should be applied one-third of the way up the wall from the floor—so for a room with an 8-foot ceiling, installing the chair rail at around 32 inches is a safe bet.
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 is shoe molding?
Paired with a baseboard and painted to match, shoe moulding (also called “base shoe”) is a thin strip of moulding that finishes out the look of baseboards. It can often be found in a curved or round shape similar to quarter round moulding.
How do you measure for chair rail molding?
To determine the height of the chair rail, measure the height of the ceiling and divide it by three. The general rule is that the chair rail should be about 1/3 of the way up from the floor (between 32″ and 36″ for an 8′ ceiling). You can also slide a chair up to the wall and mark where it would hit the wall.
What is normal chair rail height?
It’s true that the average chair rail height will be around 32 inches. However, they can be positioned anywhere from 24 to 72 inches from the floor, depending on the height of the walls and the proportions you’re hoping to achieve.
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 you use chair rail as crown molding?
In a traditional sense – no. Crown molding is not used as a chair rail. Crown molding is designed to cover imperfections where the walls of a room meet the ceiling. A chair rail, which sits much lower on the walls, typically has a much slimmer profile and doesn’t extend as far from the wall as crown molding.
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.
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.”.
What kind of Moulding do you use for wainscoting?
Your materials depend on which style you choose to install. The least expensive wainscot detail is to use a chair rail molding and a picture molding (not to be confused with a picture-rail molding). You can use this to create the simulated panels below the chair rail.
Do chair rails date a house?
The chair rail was ONCE a sign of a fancy-schmancy home but nowadays, can just look dated in a home where the goal is to ‘update and modernize’.
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.
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.
Can I use casing instead of crown molding?
Casings. Another critical use for crown molding or its alternatives is casing areas near your windows and doors. The ugly space that runs along the length of your window or door frame can be easily made pretty by installing wallpaper or MDF strips.
