Want to add wainscoting to a room? The panel count, chair rail length, and baseboard all need to be ordered together. This calculator gives you quantities for all three based on your room perimeter and panel size.
Room Dimensions
ft
doors
3 ft each
Panel Dimensions
in
Scenario: You're installing wainscoting in a hallway with a 38 ft perimeter, 12-inch wide panels, and 3 doorways.
Result: Net perimeter: 38 - 9 = 29 ft. Panels: ceil(29 x 12 / 12) = 29 panels. Chair rail and baseboard: 29 linear feet each.
32-36 inches is standard, which is roughly one-third of the wall height for 8-foot ceilings. In rooms with higher ceilings, you can go up to 48 inches.
Divide the wall length in inches by the panel width. A 12-foot wall with 16-inch panels needs 9 panels. Subtract door openings (standard 36 inches each) from the wall length before dividing.
Beadboard uses narrow tongue-and-groove planks (usually 3.5 inches wide) and has a casual, cottage feel. Raised panel wainscoting uses wider frames with an inset panel and looks more formal. Beadboard is easier to install; raised panel is more labor-intensive.
Yes. The baseboard covers the joint where the wainscoting meets the floor. Use the same linear footage as your chair rail. Some designs use a thicker baseboard than standard to match the visual weight of the chair rail.
Want to learn more before you start your project?
Read the full guide →
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