Wainscoting Installation Wainscoting is the application of wood to walls as a decorative or protective accent. Wainscoting commonly covers the bottom three to five feet of a wall with tongue‐and‐groove wood. You may wish to paint or wallpaper part or all of the room on the areas the wainscoting is not being installed. Careful Measurement When you are measuring to determine the amount of wainscoting needed, pay attention to whether you are measuring an internal or external dimension. For example, a piece of molding that will extend along a wall to join with another piece of molding will need to be cut at the proper angle to form an attractive joint. The amount needed for an attractive joint will vary depending on the angle at which the walls meet and the molding itself. For best results, make a careful sketch of the way you want the finished wainscoting to look, and use that sketch to help you when you make your measurements. Always purchase slightly more materials than you estimate you will need to allow for errors, and avoid errors by measuring twice. Materials Most people choose wooden wainscoting. Wood expands and contracts based on its environment, so store the wood in the room where it will be installed for about two days to allow it to acclimate. You will purchase caulk to finish any edges where the wainscoting is applied to the wall. Choose a quality caulk that can expand and contract with the wood and that can be painted. You will need basic carpentry tools and supplies, including a level, saw, miter saw, nails and/or an adhesive. Preparation and Installation Prepare the walls to which the wainscoting will be applied as necessary, including removing wallpaper, filling nail holes or priming. You may find it easier to prime and paint or stain the wainscoting before applying it to the wall. Using a carpenter's pencil or chalk, lightly mark the location and desired height of the wainscoting on the walls. Cut the wainscoting to size. Attach it to the wall using an adhesive or nails, or both. Make sure the wainscoting is level when it is applied. Finish any joints, then finish the wainscoting according to your desired method. A wainscot cap is normally installed along the top edge of the wainscot to give a finished look. .