St. Charles / St. Peters Store
3909 Mid Rivers Mall Drive
St. Peters, MO 63376
Phone: (636) 926-2000

Monday - Friday: 8-4:30
Saturday 10-2

St. Louis Hardwood, Woodworking, & Lumber Stores | St. Charles Hardwoods St. Louis Lumber Store | St. Charles Hardwoods

Wainscoting Frequently Asked Questions

When you are looking for quality wainscoting in the St. Louis area, no one does it better than St. Charles Hardwoods. Whether it is for your home or for a commercial space, we can supply quality wainscoting panels in custom sizes and a variety of styles. Our experts can even guide you through the process of wainscoting installation and maintenance.

We have tried to answer the most common questions about wainscoting with the information below. If you have any other specific questions about wainscoting, you can visit one of our stores or call us at (636) 926-2000 or (636) 717-1770 and we will be happy to help you.

What You Need to Know About Wainscoting

Q. What is wainscoting?
A. Wainscoting is the term used for a type of decorative paneling that is used in homes and offices. It is most often installed at the bottom of stairways and walls.

Q. Why is wainscoting installed?
A. Wainscoting is popular mainly for its aesthetic appeal. It is a way of adding detail and architectural interest to an otherwise plain and boring wall.

Q. What is wainscoting usually made of?
A. The most common wainscoting is made of fiberboard or wood. At St. Charles Hardwoods, we sell quality wooden wainscoting in a variety of designs and styles.

Q. Where inside the home is wainscoting installed?
A. This kind of paneling can be added to almost any wall in the home. It looks great in the foyer, on stairways, living rooms, dining rooms, and even in the kitchen or bathrooms. Wherever it is installed, wainscoting adds a touch of elegance.

Q. When installing wainscoting, how much of space should there be between each plank and at the corners?
A. It has recommended that you leave 1/32” of space between planks when installing wainscoting. At each corner, a gap of ¼” is suggested. This allows room for contraction and expansion when the weather changes.

Q. How should I prepare walls for wainscoting?
A. To prime your walls before installing wainscoting panels, you will need to clean them well. You do not need to roughen the surface, but a clean surface takes the panel better. If your walls are wallpapered, it is suggested that you remove the wallpaper on the area where you are going to install the wainscoting before priming and applying the glue.

Q. Once I have installed my wainscoting, how do I clear it of mildew or mold that grows on it?
A. In most cases, wainscoting should hold up well without growing mold or mildew. If you need to clean small spots of mold or mildew, you can use a bit of glass cleaner to wipe it down. For slightly bigger spots, use a solution with 70% water and 30% vinegar. If you have large spots, a solution of 2/3 cup household cleaner, 1/3 cup laundry detergent powder and 1 quart bleach in a gallon of water is recommended.

What do I need to know before installing wainscoting?
Before buying wainscoting, it is important to take an accurate measurement of the rooms and walls where it will be applied. Any molding that already exists will need to be removed. Then the walls will need to be cleaned and prepared for priming. Once walls are primed, you can begin installation.

You will need to use construction adhesive and you should apply the wainscoting panels along your walls, starting from one corner of the room. Leave the necessary gap between each panel to allow for contraction and expansion. If you hit a place where you cannot fit a full panel, you will have to cut the panel vertically with a circular saw or a jigsaw. Once installation is complete, you will need to re-install your molding and use silicone to fill in any gaps.

Buy Wooden Wainscoting at St Charles Hardwoods in St. Louis

Wooden wainscoting is a beautiful addition to any home. It adds a touch of class and elegance instantly. When you are looking for the best quality and wide variety of wooden wainscoting, St. Charles Hardwoods is the answer.

To learn more about the wainscoting options that we offer, call us at (636) 926-2000 or (636) 717-1770. You can also visit our St. Louis are stores today, and we will help you get started.