If you are looking for a single design idea that can transform your home quickly and easily, then wainscoting…


If you are looking for a single design idea that can transform your home quickly and easily, then wainscoting panels are an ideal investment.  Wainscoting comprises of wooden panels used to panel the lower section of your wall and protect it against scuffing while at the same time creating a country estate, beach house or even modern looking home.

Depending on the type of material that you wish your panels to be produced from can dramatically increase the price of this type of project, but in the event that you wish to paint your beadboards, you can keep the costs right down.  Wainscoting boards are available in a wide range of woods including cherry and mahogany which can set you back a bit, but for many the standard choices will offer the same overall look.

For more traditional rooms, consider raised panels which are the type that were first used in historical homes around America.  They are also ideal for formal rooms and taking them to varying heights on the wall surface will dramatically alter the way they look and the overall look of the room.

Wainscoting, although popular with older homes can also be used in modern homes with the innovation of flat panels in a range of decorative designs.  They can also be used in homes to create a more beach house affect, particularly when whitewashed.

Tips for Installation of Wainscoting Panels

If you intend to install the panels yourself, there are a few features that you will want to consider.  Wood has a life of its own and will contract and expand with the changes in temperature.  If you live in an area that experience large climatic changes, then you may wish to consider spending a little more money on a wood type that is not going to be as adversely affected by these changes.  Pine is more likely to expand and contract that is a harder wood such as oak.

Where possible, you should paint or stain your panels prior to installation so that you can get a clean and rounded paint layer on all sides of the panels including the grooves.  This is particularly important as when the wood contracts you may be able to see the sides of the panels and with darker stains and paints, this can be rather unattractive.

Some of the tools that you may find useful when installing your panels include a stud finder, miter saw, compressor nail gun and your standard hammer and nails as well as some type of adhesive.   Prefabricated wainscoting will make your installation that much easier as you won´t have to deal with cutting of panels and ensuring they are all of equal length.  You should investigate what types of trim board can be used with your chosen style of panelling.  Generally speaking, most of the kits and prefabricates panels do not come finished in this fashion so that you can do the finishing the way you want to.

Wainscoting has developed extensively over the last few years and there are a wide range of beadboard and wainscoting panel types to choose from.  No matter what type you choose you can be assured that you will be pleased with the outcome.