August 26th, 2006 - Installing a Chair Rail
Pretty easy task amongst the home improvements, but it takes some getting used to.
Time: 2 hours, 2 people
1. Find your studs (2x4 beam in the wall somewhere) with a stud finder and mark it. Make a chalk line across the wall where the chair rail will go. Typically 36 inches from the floor to the bottom of the rail.
2. Measure and cut each peice as you need it. Cut the angled end first before cutting the straight end. Temporarily place them up against one another to see if they fit.
3. Predrill holes into the rail. Apply some liquid nail (optional) on the back of the rail to help hold it in place. Hold it for a few seconds.
4. Using 2 inch nails, nail the rail into the wall using the predrilled holes. Use a nail set to get the nail in further below the surface of the rail for a clean look.
5. Apply some wood glue to the corners. Use some cardboard to force the rail away from the wall so the glue can get in.
6. Use some spackle to fill in the holes for the nails. Sand it. Prime it before painting.
7. Caulk along the chair rail and the wall to seal up any open spaces for a clean look.
The corners of our bay window had an angle of 148 degrees. So the rail had to be cut at 74 degrees.
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