Home improvement & design: How to install wood wainscoting & vertical trim

Wood wainscoting is one of my favorite interior finishes. It’s fun, clean, and all carpentry. And it looks sensational. In this video I run through a few steps for getting a job that’ll last—and that you’ll love.

Things I focus on primarily for wood wainscoting—especially vertical installations—are getting the first pieces plumb (straight up and down), detailing the corners so it looks like a piece literally wraps around from one wall to another and of course, cut-outs for electrical devices. There’s even a pop-up tool review. It’s all in the video.

A finish nailer makes fast work of installing this material.

Getting the first piece plumb—straight up and down—is key for a neat job. It’s easy too. I used my DeWalt green laser of awesomeness. Also, I kept it on to check boards every half-dozen or so to make sure everything remains plumb.

Also, it’s hard to see but I’m using one of my favorite all-around tools—see it there above the nose of the nailer?—my Hyde bent metal pry bar. In this case I’m using it to help wedge the corner pieces just so. I love that thing.

I stage pieces facing the correct way before installing them. This minimized potential for mistakes and having to flip boards around all the time. This wood wainscoting has a flat face and a beaded face.

Fasten through the tongues of the boards. This will hide the nail head best (but not entirely) and drive the pieces together. You’ll still have to fill the nail hole before painting. Easy.

Because—pretty. This T&G material is factory-primed and takes paint wonderfully. It can also be purchased as raw wood with or without knots and can be left clear. Lots of design options with wood.

For electrical device penetrations, I used a jigsaw to carefully cut out for the box. This cordless Bosch is nice.

A miter saw with what we carpentry dweebs call in-feed and out-feed support—aka a Red Bull table…it’s got wiiiings—makes cutting wainscoting—and everything else—about a million times easier.

Mark

A licensed contractor, tool expert, wood and outdoor enthusiast, and elite Spartan Race competitor, he writes about home improvement and tools for national magazines and websites, and teaches hands-on clinics for other remodeling professionals. Check out his book, The Carpenter's Notebook.

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