How To End Wainscoting

A common question with installing wainscoting or beadboard is what to do when you need to end the installation early or you reach another casing? Luckily for you, we have answers! Below we look at how to end wainscoting midway on a wall as well as different ways to meet your wainscoting or beadboard trim to an existing casing, such as that around doorways. Don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. We're here to help!

Ending Wainscoting Mid-Way Along a Wall
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There are circumstances where you may need to end Elite Wall Paneled Wainscoting in the middle of a wall or a doorway without casings. This occurs when you have a long wall which is common to two rooms and you only want to install wainscoting in one of the rooms. The easiest way to finish the ends would be to use a length of Cap Trim. The cap must be mitred to create a 90-degree angle. It then will run down the side of the stile to the floor as shown in the image.

Making a Return using the Top Rail is the best method of finishing wainscoting mid-way on a wall. When you get to where you want to end the Wainscoting, you simply miter the various pieces of the kit so that they create a 90-degree angle facing towards the wall as shown in the image.

You will require a table saw to cut the stile down straight on one side. The stile should sit about a quarter inch in from the bottom of the Upper Rail; this will give it a more finished look.

Ending or Finishing Bead Board in the middle of a wall is best achieved by using the same Cap Trim as is used for the Wall Panel Wainscoting above.

Three ways to butt up a thicker trim to a thinner casing

1) Butt Joint (above)  The Butt Joint is used when the Vertical trim is Wider than the Horizontal trim. The Butt joint is made using a simple straight cut on the horizontal trim and is joined to, or Butted up against the wider vertical trim. In the event that your existing casing is not thick enough, you have the option of changing the casing or of adding a "back band" on top of the existing casing as shown above.

2) Beveling Back (above)  Beveling is used when the horizontal trim is thicker than the vertical trim. You should bevel the larger trim back on an angle, usually 45 degrees, in order to meet the thickness of the narrower trim. This gives it a cleaner appearance and does not leave a sharp corner.

3) Return (above and below)  The Return is made using a miter cut on the horizontal trim and cutting out a separate "Pie" piece to fill in the gap and attach it to the wall. The Return is an excellent option when you are finishing on a wall or opening with no trim or when your horizontal trim is thicker than your vertical trim.