How to Install Wainscoting

Each run of molding will either turn a corner—in which case you'll miter the end—or meet an opening. At an opening trimmed with a deep casing, the apron can simply die into the casing. Otherwise, you'll have to create what's called a return to dress the cut end: Miter the run at 45 degrees as if for an outside corner, and then miter a second piece that will meet that 45 and die square into the wall or casing—turning the profile around the corner (as shown in the inset photo). Just be sure to cut the return's mitered end first; that task is made much easier when working with a long piece.