Wainscoting
This image of the Interior of the Lands and Survey building, ca. 1904 shows the reception room with a large marble fireplace embellished with bas relief statuary. The pressed ceiling has raised floral motifs and the bottom portion of the room has dark timber panelled wainscoting. |
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
Wainscoting is a type of wall panel that is both functional and decorative.‘To wainscot’ is to line a wall with timber, which was the original material used for wainscoting, although it is now available in other materials. Wainscoting is typically found on the lower portion of an interior wall and is often used in stairways both to protect the wall and to give the impression of spaciousness.
[edit] History
The term wainscoting was derived from a type of timber board fashioned as wallcovering out of older, slowly grown, knot-free oak trees.
The application of wainscoting was commonly introduced in the 18th century, when it was used to protect walls and provide additional insulation. It also helped decrease the impact of rising damp that could occur in some types of walls. It is now used primarily for decorative purposes.
Wainscoting was originally used in floor to ceiling applications, but was later more commonly applied to just the lower portion of walls. The use of oak decreased over the years, and other types of timber became more common choices.
[edit] Application
Wainscoting is typically constructed from materials that have been fitted with tongue and groove edges. However, modern techniques make it possible to create larger, prefabricated units of customised sizes, so that fewer, or no joints are required.
This photo illustrates a faux wainscoting project in progress. |
Faux wainscoting is a technique that creates the illusion of authentic panels through the careful application of moulding and paint. Chair rail and box moulding are commonly used for this purpose, although it is possible to create a similar treatment simply through the use of paint that is either separated by a single rail or a difference in colours or textures.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Cladding remediation programmes, transparency and target date.
National Audit Office issue report on cladding remediation.
HBPT and BEAMS Jubilees. Book review.
Does the first Labour budget deliver for the built environment?
What does the UK Budget mean for electrical contractors?
Mixed response as business pays, are there silver linings?
A brownfield housing boost for Liverpool
A 56 million investment from Homes England now approved.
Fostering a future-ready workforce through collaboration
Collaborative Futures: Competence, Capability and Capacity, published and available for download.
Considerate Constructors Scheme acquires Building A Safer Future
Acquisition defines a new era for safety in construction.
AT Awards evening 2024; the winners and finalists
Recognising professionals with outstanding achievements.
Reactions to the Autumn Budget announcement
And key elements of the quoted budget to rebuild Britain.
Chancellor of the Exchequer delivers Budget
Repairing, fixing, rebuilding, protecting and strengthening.
Expectation management in building design
Interest, management, occupant satisfaction and the performance gap.
Connecting conservation research and practice with IHBC
State of the art heritage research & practice and guidance.
Innovative Silica Safety Toolkit
Receives funding boost in memory of construction visionary.
Gentle density and the current context of planning changes
How should designers deliver it now as it appears in NPPF.
Sustainable Futures. Redefining Retrofit for Net Zero Living
More speakers confirmed for BSRIA Briefing 2024.
Making the most of urban land: Brownfield Passports
Policy paper in brief with industry responses welcomed.
The boundaries and networks of the Magonsæte.