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What Is Wainscoting? Types and Costs

Updated: Sep 27, 2021

This word itself can be a little intimidating and people are hesitant to even pronounce it. Wainscoting, pronounced wayn skoat ting, is the decorative paneling used to accent walls. It’s typically made of wood and installed to cover the lower 3-4 feet of a wall or walls.


As wood molding and paneling specialists, Advanced Trim and Kitchen has helped contractors renovate hundreds of homes throughout Lancaster County and the greater Delaware Valley with traditional wainscoting as well as custom wainscoting.

If you’re curious about the different types of wainscoting available near you, give us a call. If you say it incorrectly, we don’t care.



Read further to learn more about this decorative wall treatment often used to improve bare walls and to hide wall imperfections.


Are There Different Types of Wainscoting?

Yes, there are a variety of wainscoting types and styles. Wainscoting can be beadboard, picture frame-style, raised panels, board and batten, or completely customized.

Its height and color also can vary.


The material used to create the wainscoting can vary. As a rule of thumb, however, you’ll want all the wood trim in your house or property to create a unified effect, with similar materials and colors. We welcome you to visit our Design Center for inspiration.




How Tall Should Wainscoting Be?

There is no “perfect” height for wainscoting. Traditionally, wainscoting would match the height of chair backs. How tall a wainscoting element should be will depend on your idea of home improvement and ideal aesthetic.


You will, however, want to consider the height of a room’s windows and doors and try not to interrupt those lines in the design.


Our team of experienced designers will assist you in choosing the best wainscoting, moulding (molding), and trim work to create a truly custom look for your kitchen and bath.


Can You Put Wainscoting Over Drywall?

Yes, wainscoting can be installed right over drywall. It can also be installed over plaster and other substrates. This is one reason contractors choose to use wainscoting in home improvement projects. It easily hides any wall blemishes without the need for messy demolition or spackling.


It’s typically installed using a nail-and-glue method, using fine finish nails or pneumatic pin nails. Wainscoting over drywall provides an instant improvement to a room.


How Much is Wainscoting?

The cost of wainscoting will vary depending on the materials you choose, how much square footage, installation, and the style of wainscoting. It can range from $1 for a panel of common MDF beadboard without any decorative molding to more than $50 per customized, more decorative panel. This does not include installation costs.


Our customers find our wainscoting costs to be much less than big retail home improvement stores and it’s locally supplied. Advanced Trim and Kitchen wainscoting provides a high-end look from quality workmanship.


Wainscoting, as well as custom moulding and trim work, are the most noticeable and common ways for designers to improve kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms, and more. Millwork and decorative woodwork can completely transform a room. The return on investment is virtually guaranteed if your home is placed on the market and needs to stand out against a standard-development home.


We feel the price of wainscoting is absolutely worth it. Our cost and turnaround times keep our customers happy and coming back to ATK for their millwork needs.

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