Establish Level Line for Chair Rail

What happens in this clip

Begin by establishing a perfectly level line around the entire room. Use a Leica laser level, set to project a horizontal line at 39 1/4 inches from the floor. Once the laser line is established, hold a straight edge at the laser line and use a pencil to trace a continuous reference line all the way around the room. This line will serve as the guide for the top edge of the wainscoting's chair rail.

Goal: Mark a precise, level guide line for the wainscoting

What's used

Tools

• Leica Laser Level Leica
• Spirit level and a long straightedge
• Pencil
• Straight Edge
• Another piece of molding
• Tape Measure

About the full video

This project provides detailed instructions for installing wainscoting to add a decorative and architectural feature to a room. It covers establishing a level line, installing two-part chair rail molding, horizontal rails above the baseboard, vertical styles for flat panels, and finishing with inner trim, including techniques for long runs, corners, and working around obstacles like electrical outlets.

Step 1 of 6: Measure and Mark Wainscoting Height

Using a tape measure, determine the desired height for the wainscoting. This is typically around 32 to 36 inches from the floor, but can be adjusted based on preference and ceiling height. Mark this height lightly with a pencil at several points along the wall, including the top and bottom of the staircase. Use a level to connect these marks and create a consistent horizontal line around the entire staircase wall. This line will serve as a guide for the top of your baseboard or the bottom of your board and batten.

Open this step in the guide

Other videos for this step

• Mark Chair Rail Height
• Map Out Wainscoting Layout