Installing Durable Wainscoting Panels

Drywall works well in most rooms, but it can be damaged easily. Over time, your drywall will probably suffer a few dents and holes, particularly in the lower areas. You can protect your walls by installing durable wainscoting panels.

Materials:

- measuring tape
- circular saw
- jigsaw
- drill with large drill bit
- safety glasses
- caulk gun
- panel adhesive
- hammer
- nail set
- finish nails
- wood putty
- stud sensor
- flat bar
- level
- miter box (power or manual)
- wainscoting panels

Steps

1. Turn off the power to any outlets that will be covered by wainscoting, and remove the outlet covers.

2. Repair any large damaged areas that might interfere with the installation. Small damaged areas can be ignored if the wainscoting will cover them.

3. Use a flat bar and a cushioning block to remove the baseboard.

4. Measure and mark a level line to serve as a guide for the top edges of the panels.

5. Use a stud sensor to locate the “first stud,” which should be 48″ or less from your starting corner.

6. Use a level to mark a plumb line along the center of the first stud. The edge of the first full panel will be placed along this line. Mark more plumb lines every 48″ so that the edges of each panel will be over a stud.

7. Measure the width for your first panel. Measure both the top and bottom widths because the corner of your wall may not be square. Cut the panel to size.

8. Apply a bead of panel adhesive to the wall, and press the first panel in place. Pull the panel away to allow the adhesive to become tacky. Align the panel on the top and sides, and press it back into place. Secure the panel to the wall using finish nails along the edges. Be sure you nail into a stud. Repeat the process for each panel.

9. If your next panel covers an outlet, you will need precise measurements to make a cutout. Measure from the side and top, and transfer the measurements to back of the next panel. Drill pilot holes in the corners of the cutout, and then use a jigsaw to finish the cutout.

10. Loosen the screws holding the outlet in place, and pull the outlet away from the wall.

11. Thread the outlet through the cutout, and secure the panel to the wall. Then secure the outlet back in place.

12. Measure and cut chair rail molding to the length needed for each wall. If you have to join two lengths of molding on a long wall, be sure to miter the joints. You should also miter any corner joints.

13. Attach the molding to the top edges of the panels, and secure the molding to the wall with finish nails. Drive the nails until the heads are just above the surface of the molding, and then use a nail set to finish driving them just below the surface. Fill the holes with wood putty or caulk.

14. Reattach the base molding, replace the outlet covers, and turn the power back on.