How to Install Wainscoting

We're the first to say all you need is a can of paint. But for a room revamp that brings dimension and lasting value to plain walls, nothing beats a traditional wainscot of richly layered wood panels. How they're put together may seem inscrutable to the average DIYer, but once you peel back the layers of this architectural onion, you'll find that each step is plenty doable, if a bit tricky at times. See for yourself on the pages that follow, as This Old House senior technical editor Mark Powers assembles this paneled wainscot piece by piece—moving a pro-worthy project onto a can-do list for you.

Panel molding: WOBB002 Greek Revival Band Mold.
Primed lumber: WindsorONE and Protection Pre-Primed Trim Boards.
All from Windsor Mill.