How to Install Wainscoting

Nail scraps from the ¼-inch plywood to pad out the existing baseboard and bring its face flush with that of the bottom rail. Set the baseboard in place and shim the low end until the piece is level. Measure the biggest gap between the bottom of the baseboard and the floor, and cut a scrap block to this size plus ¼ inch. Run the block along the floor against the baseboard with a pencil on top to scribe a cut line on the piece, as shown. Rip the baseboard using a circular saw.