Wainscoting panels have become very popular lately. These fancy pieces of wood can really tune up the atmosphere of your home and can give a totally new look for your walls. Whether you are renewing your house or just moving into your first home it’s definitely worth to consider to install wainscoting panels on the walls. Not only they look stylish but they can create a wide variety assortment of different looks and moods. This is especially important if you have fast mood changes. With these panels you are able to lend more depth and extra dimension to any of your rooms. They optically enlarge the size of the space. So to answer the question in the title: if you like warm and cosy rooms and like to “pimp” your home without making big changes and hassle, yes wainscoting panels are probably for you.
What is wainscoting really?
The short answer is: decorative paneling that is usually installed on the lower part of the walls. Wainscoting panels are usually present in upscale homes, conference rooms, business offices and other commercial spaces. The idea behind wainscoting is to add architectural interest to otherwise naked walls. Usually involves using molds to bisect the room horizontally. This way you have two separate sections to work with: the upper bare wall, and the lower wall which is covered by the panels. Before jumping right into installing wainscoting panels all over your house it’s smart to study the available materials so you can make a perfect choice.
Some wainscoting ideas to work with
an example of wainscoting panels
Since wainscoting is a cost effective way to give your house a better look, it doesn’t really matter which direction you go – just use your sixth sense and make a decision that fits best your needs. There are many different panels to choose from including the ones that are made of mahogany, pine, a wide variety different types of wood. What’s more, recently PVC wainscoting panels have become popular too as these are durable and long lasting materials. There are panels that are paintable, extruded and not unusual that they use beadboards to do the job. Keep in mind when choosing material that wood is sensitive to watermarks, staining and scratches – these factors can reduce the lifetime of the wainscoted panels. If you still decide to use wooden panels here is tip for you: smaller scratches can be gently buffed away with a little hand work. A little polish here and there and it’s better than new. But never attempt to polish painted surfaces as this can ruin the full panel and you might have to replace it. This is exactly why wooden wainscoting panels are recommended to be used in formal areas like living rooms, offices and library.
If you have a bit bigger budget it’s worth to consider vinyl materials which are more durable and can be just as attractive. Because of its structure these panels are nonabsorbent therefore you won’t have to worry about water marks and stains. The durable surface is basically totally scratch resistant. These vinyl wainscoting panels are usually used in kitchens and bathrooms.
wainscoting in the bathroom
If you are looking for more specific solutions you might have to look into embossed, raised or recessed panels. While beadboards are using vertical ribbing patters the former ones are using square patterns. Certainly not suitable for every type of room but it might be a good idea to install them in your hallway, display areas or foyers. The repeated pattern is elegant and stylish which can decorate every type of hallway perfectly. We hope that our little guide helped you to decide what panels you should use. Don’t be surprised when finishing the installation that you have a completely new home!
Other wainscoting panels include recessed panels, raised panels, and even embossed panels. Rather than using the vertical ribbing pattern of beadboards, these rely of square patterns. While not ideal for every room, they are great for hallways, foyers, and display areas. Their simple, repeated pattern is a subtle, elegant addition to the room. Learn more about wainscoting panels today! You’ll be surprised at just how much they can add to your home.
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