Question of the Day - Tuesday, October 14th, 2025

[StinkyAcres]

I love chair rail with wainscoting. It looks a little weird if it's installed by itself, though, and the color below the chair rail is the same as the color above.

 

[5Australorpasaures]

It’s okay. I have ran a good bit of chair rail in my time but never for myself.

I’m curious about this “properly applied”? It can only be applied one way which is on the wall at chair height. Chair rail is supposed to be to protect walls from the backs of chairs and particularly in breakfast nooks. There are some that want it for just decor, I guess. Or, to do wainscoting.

I especially like it applied to a wall with bowed studs.

 

[jbj25]

I especially like it applied to a wall with bowed studs.

Yes, and all walls are bowed because all lumber has a crown. You will certainly notice it with chair rail and very noticeable if the wall has some length to it.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I like and I want.
But I ain't a gonna get.
Oh well.

 

[MROO]

YES. This question. I will finally find out what ‘chair rail’ is. perhaps it is some obscure sport where you ride a chair down a rail…

No, Silly, but you're at least partway right. It's where you balance your chair on the banister and ride down the length of the staircase!
(Sorry ... couldn't resist!)
But, chair rails are beautiful and add structure to a room ... but they're a royal pain to keep dusted, especially when accompanied by wainscoting. Never again!

 

[Evadig]

I love chair rail, but only in older houses. It would look awful in our house.

As for placement, I like it lower.

Screenshot from this article:
https://www.thisiscarpentry.com/2010/12/03/misused-confused-chair-rail/