Can You Apply Wainscoting Over Tile?

Clean Tile Surface

• You can install wainscoting over tile as long as you clean the tile before installation. Use household cleaners or mineral spirits to ensure that there is no dirt or residue on the tiles. If you have mold or mildew on your tile, you must kill it before you install the wainscoting. Spray the tile with bleach or another mold-killing chemical and wait until the tile is completely mold-free before adding the wainscot. Do not install wainscoting in showers or bathtubs because the wooden panels will not hold up in such wet, moist environments.

Seal Seams

• To ensure that your wainscoting does not pull away from the tile and mold is not given an opportunity to grow, seal all the seams around the tile. The sealing process ensures that moisture doesn't infiltrate the area between the tile and the wainscot. Use a tube of silicone caulk or re-apply grout to the tiles before installing the wainscoting. You don't want moisture to warp, bend or deteriorate your wooden panels.

Secure with Masonary Screws

• Secure your wainscoting with masonry screws. Do not use drywall screws because they will not penetrate the tile surface, and you risk damaging the tile. Install masonry screws with a carbide-tipped drill bit because it is strong enough to go through the thickness of the tile and the wall. Choose a masonry screw length that allows you to penetrate the wall and tile by a minimum of half an inch. The exact length of the screw depends on the thickness of your tile.

Install Railing Cap

• Wainscoting over tile requires a railing cap to hide the top seam where the wainscot separates from the tile. A railing cap, or chair rail, is a long thin piece of wood or a similar synthetic material that covers over the top of the wainscoting and attaches to the drywall. Railing caps are generally two to five inches wide and come in 8-foot strips that can be cut to size. Use drywall nails to secure the railing cap to both the wall and the wainscot. Do not use glue or other adhesives.