A chair rail is a mostly decorative feature in your house. It’s a thin piece of moulding that is generally 3-4 feet off the ground. It’s typically found in sitting rooms and dining rooms. Basically, anywhere you find chairs, a chair rail is a nice feature.
Purpose
Their purpose is primarily decorative. However, it is easy to see how they were likely used to protect walls from chairs in cramped spaces.
Installation
Installing a chair rail is actually super easy. It’s as easy as measure, cut, attach. However, the most important part of this aesthetic feature is that it is level and cohesive.
Both outside and inside corners should be mitered to give a smooth look.
When I installed my chair rails, I attached them with liquid nails glue and nails. This provides long lasting hold.
Styles of Chair Rail
Chair rails can be whatever you want them to be. However, traditionally they’re 1-3 inches wide and resemble window or door trim, but rounded on both the top and bottom.
It’s your choice whether or not your moulding has ledges, curves, flat portions, or anything else.
Tips for Chair Rail
Make sure you have a cohesive plan for all your moulding. If you have crown moulding, window moulding, and/or wainscoting, you should make sure these all match.
Making your moulding level is more important than it being the same height from the floor in all places. Floors aren’t always level.
Feel free to paint the top and the bottom different colors for more options. Additionally, the moulding can be painted yet another color.
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