Wainscoting Installation
Wainscoting is a type of wall covering that is usually towards the lower portion of a wall and it contributes to the overall look of the room, as well as strengthens it.Opting for wainscoting in Tampa is a great decision as it has both an aesthetic as well as functional purpose.
Wainscoting dates back to the 17th and 18th centuries. In building constructions, wainscotinghelped to support fragile walls and contributed to stability. Today, wainscoting has a more decorative appeal and adds to texture and visuals. The term wainscoting is derived from the German word which translates to “wallboard”. Earlier, a specific type of oak was used, and this was known as wainscoting oak.
What is Wainscoting?
Wainscoting is basically wood paneling that is applied on the wall on the lower parts, specifically in the living room, dining area, and entranceway. It can either be factory made, or can be handmade in which case wood panels are attached vertically, and at the base of the wall to form a sort of border.
Traditionally, wainscoting was an overlay of solid wooden boards. This was also known as chair rail framing and molding. However, in modern times, wainscoting in Tampa can be made from other materials as well including plastics, medium density, fiberboard, PVC, or plywood.
If you want to install wainscot panels for design purposes in your home, there is a variety to choose from. You may choose to add bold colors or intricate designs or choose a subtle texture. It helps to brighten up the room and also adds stability to your walls.
Areas to Use Wainscoting
If you are thinking about installing wainscoting in Tampa, consider the following areas.
Entryways: At the entrance of a home,boots, shoes, bags, umbrellas, and other items can cause damage and make your walls look shabby. Hence, wainscoting is a popular option to protect your walls at the entryway.
Hallways: If you have kids and pets, your hallways and stairs are areas that often get scuff marks and damage. In this case, wainscoting would be a great option.
Dining areas: Have you noticed that your walls get marked with the back of your dining chairs? This is very common. Thus wainscoting in Tampa is a good option to use in dining spaces.
Living rooms: Wainscoting looks beautiful and therefore you may choose to add it to your living room and then where are you, your family and friends can get together and spend a relaxing time.
Bathrooms: In your bathroom, wood may easily get warped because of water and moisture, and therefore wainscoting can help to protect your drywall and plaster underneath. You may choose to add a subtle design that blends well with your bath décor.
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Materials for Wainscoting
There are several different materials for wainscoting in Tampa. Always choose what is best for your home or commercial space. Let’s take a look at some.
Plywood: Plywood is easy to install and is available in sheets. It can easily be glued down to the wall and is finished with base and cap moldings. Plywood is inexpensive and your contractor should not take too much time to complete plywood wainscoting in Tampa.
MDF: MDF or medium-density fiberboard is like wood, but it will not warp, contract, expand, or split. It is available in the already primed state and can be easily painted. Avoid using MDF in areas where there will be water like your bath or kitchen because it can swell and break down easily. However, if you do choose to use it in your bathroom, ask your contractor for specially treated MDF that is moisture resistant.
Plastic: Plastic can be made from PVC or regular solid plastics that look like wood, but are not. Plastic is durable and great for baths, kitchens, or laundry rooms.
Solid wood: Solid wood is the original material that is wainscoting in Tampa. Solid wood is available in oak, timber, cherry, walnut, or pine. Each type of wood has its own grain and stain and needs professional installation and finishing thus preventing cracks due to contraction and expansion. Solid wood should always be installed by a professional contractor that deals with wainscoting in Tampa.
Purpose of Wainscoting
Wainscoting in Tampa serves three main reasons. These are as follows:
Wall protection: Your walls will be well protected once you install wainscoting in Tampa because walls can suffer much damage from furniture and scuff marks.
Aesthetic appeal: Wainscoting panels are also added for decoration and visual interest. Wainscoting gives a classic and traditional look when you choose intricate designs. Alternatively, choose a simple design for a more contemporary look.
Insulation: Wainscoting in Tampa is like adding another layer to your drywall or plaster, and this adds to the insulation in a home.
Types of Wainscoting
There are five basic types of wainscoting in Tampa that are used regularly. These are as listed below:
Raised panel: The raised panel is the oldest type of wainscoting and it was mainly used for insulation purposes. It is usually installed 30 to 40 inches high from the floor but it can go even higher if desired. The most common places for using raised panels are in the living room and dining room. In this case, the trim pieces on the outside create a raised panel because they have a beveled edge. This gives the look of a picture frame. The panels in this type of wainscoting are distinguished and give the effect that they have been raised off the wall.
Flat panel wainscoting: Flat panel wainscoting is the opposite of raised wainscoting, and as the term suggests, the panels appear flat because they are installed behind the molding and trim. This look is more contemporary and does not have any beveled edges, grooves, or beads. It is purely stylistic and the seams may either be left open or covered with metal or wooden strips.
Overlay wainscoting: Overlay wainscoting in Tampa indicates that a combination of flat and raised styles has been used to create a multilayer effect. In this case, the flat panels are first installed, and then extra panels are installed over them thus giving them a raised panel look. Overlay wainscoting is used to mimic solid wood raised panel wainscoting.
Beadboard wainscoting: Beadboard wainscoting panels are usually connected with the tongue and groove. This type of wainscoting has long and continuous raised beads and grooves that are placed approximately 2 inches from each other. These individual boards maybe 30 to 48 inches long and 4 inches wide. Today it is also available in 8-foot length panels. Beadboards can be made of different materials including MDF. For easier installation and a faster process, you can purchase beads and grooves that are already molded into the board.
Board and batten wainscoting: This type of wainscoting is a flat panel design that has vertical boards. In other words, the middle board is smooth but it is outlined by the thinner board on all four sides. It has quite a distinct style, and the vertical boards that are used are known as battens. Battens are typically 4 to 6 inches in width and may be placed 6 to 10 inches apart. Batten may be used to cover joints and seams. It has a seamless appearance and is great to use in modern-day homes.
Cost of Wainscoting
You may be wondering how much wainscoting in Tampa will cost. The total cost depends upon the type of materials that you choose, design, features, finish, the complexity of installation, and most importantly, the size of the area.
On average, wainscoting in Tampa usually costs between $7 and $40 per square foot. This averages to about $5.5 per square foot for both labor and materials. Other than that, the type of paneling that you choose also plays a role in determining the cost. For instance, flat paneling is usually the cheapest and most affordable costing between $7 and $10 per square foot. Board and batten and bead board paneling will cost between $7 and $20 per square foot, whereas raised and overlay wainscoting will cost between $10 and $40 per square foot.
When to Avoid Wainscoting
Wainscoting in Tampa is not a good idea if you have a small room with low ceilings. If you do want to use wainscoting, beadboard panels that have vertical lines and are painted in light colors will make a room look more open and larger than it really is. Another area where wainscoting should be avoided is for rooms that have an open concept design where the kitchen and living room are combined.
Keep in mind that wainscoting in Tampa can be used in any room in your home, but should be chosen carefully and used in areas where you want to make a good first impression.
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