Replies

1. 
   LCP | Mar 04, 1999 04:31am | #1

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   Rick, generally a chairrail divides the room with approximately 2/3 of the wall height above and 1/3 below. On a standard 8 foot ceiling height, most chairrails are about 30-31" off the floor. A few inches either way is fine - just avoid dividing the room into two equal sections.
   This is from a decorator's standpoint, the carpenters on the list will undoubtedly know more than yours truly.
   Good luck to you.
   Linda

2. 
   Guest_ | Mar 04, 1999 05:10am | #2

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   Rick, the chair rail will only protect the wall if you place the rail at the same height as the top of your standard chair.

   The asthetics of 1/3 2/3 puts the rail too low for most chairs.Works great on 9 foot ceilings though.

   I've installed them at all kinds of heights based on the owner's preferences. Something else you may want to consider Rick, is the wainscotting material itself. Some prebundled packages don't allow for too much flexibility in the height without a hell of a lot of loss. Sometimes you kinda have to play it by ear.

   The curved wall is another issue.

   Depending on the radius and the width of your boards you may need to use narrower strips or at least plane down the top flat of the tongue, to accomodate the angles required.

1. 
   Guest_ | Mar 07, 1999 10:38pm | #4

   *Rick, try this for some additional thoughts on wainscoting.Sorry, unless you're doing some sort of t/g, I can't offer much on the curved wall. I have steam-bent raised panels before, but not while ascending as on a stairway. Good luck.

3. 
   Rick_B. | Mar 07, 1999 10:38pm | #3

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   What is the proper height for chairrail and wainscot installation? Also, how do you install wanscot on a curved wall (ascending staircase)? thanks for your help.