Installation Guide

How to install Chair Rail Moulding

Materials needed include:

Utility knife

Tape measure

Miter saw or miter box

Level

Flat bar

Hammer or nail gun

Finish nails

Nail set

Wood glue

Safety glasses

Moulding

Begin by removing the existing chair rail if installed.

1. Using a utility knife, cut along the joints where the chair rail and wall intersect. This will loosen any

paint or caulk and prevent damage to the sheetrock.

2. Starting in a corner, insert your flat bar between the wall and the moulding. Gently pry the moulding

away from the wall being careful not to damage the sheetrock (Tip: use a putty knife in between the flat

bar and the wall to protect the sheetrock). Continue along the length of the moulding pulling it away

from the wall until you can remove the entire piece. Continue around the room until all chair rail is

removed.

3. Make a sketch of your room. Measure the length of each wall and record that measurement on your

sketch. Add those numbers together to determine the total lineal feet of chair rail you will need to

purchase.

4. Add 10% to that total for waste and miter joints (Tip: deduct the width of any doorways, windows or

cased openings to get an accurate total).

Choose a wall to begin installing your new chair rail. Measure the desired height of your chair rail from

the floor to a point on the wall. A common chair rail height is 36 inches. Depending upon your specific

style and needs, the height could vary. Mark you desired height across the wall in several places. Using a

level as a guide, mark a straight line across the wall for reference when you begin installing your chair

rail.

5. Cut your first piece to length. Be sure to cut it a little long to allow for your miter joint.

a. If you are installing a piece of moulding between two doors, windows or cased openings, each end will

need to be cut straight to fit tight against the casing.

b. If you are beginning with an inside corner, cut the moulding at a 45 degree angle across the face of

the moulding. This cut will make the back side of the moulding that goes along the wall longer than the

face of the moulding.

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How to install Chair Rail Moulding Materials needed include: Utility knife Tape measure Miter saw or miter box Level Flat bar Hammer or nail gun Finish nails Nail set Wood glue Safety glasses Moulding Begin by removing the existing chair rail if installed. 1. Using a utility knife, cut along the joints where the chair rail and wall intersect. This will loosen any paint or caulk and prevent damage to the sheetrock. 2. Starting in a corner, insert your flat bar between the wall and the moulding.
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c. If you are beginning with an outside corner, cut the moulding at a 45 degree angle across the back side of the moulding. This will make the face of the moulding longer than the back side that goes against the wall. d. It may be necessary to splice two pieces of chair rail together if you have a long wall. To do this, cut opposing 30 degree angles across the moulding. Splice them together (preferably over a wall stud) and nail into place. 6.