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The Origin of WainscotingThe term ‘Wainscoting’ refers to the application of decorative paneling that's placed between a baseboard and a chair rail or wainscot cap on an interior wall. Wainscoting has been around for centuries and remains popular today as an affordable method of enhancing room decor or covering wall areas that have imperfections or are in need of repair.
The origins of wainscoting can be traced back to 16th-century England where it was applied in homes to the lower interior sections of stone walls to counteract coldness and dampness. Throughout the 18th and 19th century, wainscot was commonly found in casual settings, such as informally decorated homes, cottages and retreats.
Historically, traditional wainscot was made of wood and consisted of tongue-and-groove boards nailed vertically up the wall and measuring anywhere from 42 to 58 inches high. During the 1900s, wainscot as high as 60 to 72 inches became popular, especially in dining rooms. The preferred type of building material for wainscoting of this height was cloth, including burlap, grass cloth and linen.
The three main styles of wainscot are: Ø Raised Panel
Ø Flat Panel
Ø Bead-Board
The origins of all three styles can be traced back to Western European woodworkers.
1. Raised panels (usually installed at 30 to 40 inches in height) are the most traditional of the wainscoting styles dating back to the early colonial days. 2. Flat, or 'Recessed', panels provide a simple, clean look popular in Mission and Arts and Crafts style homes.
3. Bead-Board wainscoting features a vertical tongue-and-groove look typically favored for casual, cottage or country home decor.
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