How to Measure for Recessed Wainscoting

Wainscoting helps create attractive walls with durable protection from normal wear and tear. Recessed wainscoting differs from standard raised-panel wainscoting because the panels lie flat against the wall instead of sitting a small distance away. Sometimes called shaker or flat panels, recessed wainscoting can be an ideal wall covering in casual areas of the home, such as family rooms and bathrooms. Measure for recessed wainscoting as an initial step in the installation process.

Paper
Pencil
Tape measure

Instructions

- 1
  Draw a simple two-dimensional diagram of the walls on which you will install the wainscoting. Accurate scale is not essential; just make the diagram a basic "view from above" representation of the walls in the installation area.
- 2
  Place the end of the tape measure at the left edge of the wall near the floor. Ask an assistant to hold the tape measure tightly at the left edge and pull the tape measure straight across to the right edge of the wall. Note the measurement.
- 3
  Measure straight up from the floor to the height of the wainscoting panels and make a small pencil mark at the left edge of the wall. Do the same thing in the center of the wall between the left and right edges and again at the right edge of the wall.
- 4
  Place the end of the tape measure at the left edge of the wall at the pencil mark. Ask your assistant to hold the tape measure tightly at the left edge and pull it straight across to the right edge at the pencil mark. Make sure the tape measure sits at the center mark. Note the measurement.
- 5
  Compare the two measurements. If one measurement is longer than the other one, use the longer measurement. Label the corresponding wall on diagram with the longer measurement, writing the number along the line that represents the wall on the diagram.
- 6
  Repeat the same process for each wall to label every wall on the diagram.

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