• Home
• Site Map
• FAQs
• Login

1-800-928-4025

Mon-Fri 8am to 8pm EST

WAINSCOTING INSTALLATION:
Beadboard Wainscoting

Suggested Tools:

Safety Glasses

Pencil

Stud Finder

Chalk Line

Level (24+ inch)

Tape Measure

Combination Square

Utility Knife

Clamps

Hammer (14- to 16-oz. claw type)

Nail Set

Pry Bar

Hand Saw

Coping Saw

Miter Box

Drill

Jigsaw (Recommended)

Circular Saw (Recommended)

Pneumatic Nail Gun (Recommended)

Suggested Materials:

Masking Tape

Construction Adhesive

Wood Glue

8d & 4d finish nails

Wood Filler

Wood Shims

Wainscoting Kit and Miscellaneous Components: Cap, Beadboard, Shoe Moulding… Optional: Baseboard, Window Sill, Inside/Outside Corners.

Suggested Instructions:

Note: This list is based on this specific project and situation. Please adjust these items and instructions to your particular needs.

1. Allow wainscot components to condition in the home environment for one week prior to install.
2. Prepare the walls by removing all existing baseboard, moldings and other trim that will interfere with the paneling.
3. Walls are rarely defect free. Verify quality by using a level, to check for unevenness. Sand or scrape off any high spots. Float out low spots with a thin coat of drywall compound. Shims may also be used during installation.
4. Determine the wainscoting height and mark a level chalk line for reference. This line must remain level.
5. Locate and mark the wall studs. Using a level or plumb bob, create a plumb line from the height of the wainscot down to the floor centered on each stud location.
6. Perform a dry lay out of each wall. Start with half a board if necessary to ensure that the last board is not a narrow sliver as they are more difficult to install. If you would like a technical advisor to provide a customized layout for you, select the option when adding your kit to the cart.
7. Tack the first board into place, and check it with a level to make sure it’s plumb. The first board must be installed plumb. Remember to check every couple of feet and adjust accordingly.
8. Nail only along the tongue edge so that the groove edge is free to expand and contract.
9. Rip only the first board in each corner (last board of the wall). Use a simple butt joint on the second, overlapping board of each corner.
10. When a window is involved, measure and scribe a board to wrap the apron; remove the apron if possible. Install the scribed board before installing the full board that proceeds it. Windowsill parts are available separately; choose the size that best suits your needs. If you would like a technical advisor to provide a customized layout for you, select the option when adding your kit to the cart.
11. In place of nailing along the length of the boards, apply horizontal beads of construction adhesive every 16 in. apart. Face nail the top and bottom of every board where trim will hide the nails.
12. Use a block of wood and a hammer to seat the boards together. Press the boards securely in place following the instructions with the adhesive. Do not set boards fully together… leave 1/16th inch to allow for expansion.
13. Glue the wainscot cap in place with construction adhesive. Nail along the lower edge, at least 2 inches from the ends, in a few places to temporarily secure using 4d finish nails. Pre-drill the holes with a smaller-diameter drill bit, but do not drill all the way through.
14. Attach the baseboard molding using 4d finish nails. The baseboard should “follow” the floor while overlapping the beadboard.
15. For best results, stagger the joints of the cap and shoe moldings.