Fit a Dado or Picture Rail
A room can be greatly enhanced by the addition of a dado rail. Skill rating : Beginner
Many nineteenth century houses and a fair amount of twentieth century as well are fitted with either one or two dado rails. The first would be located a little way below the ceiling, and the second; the Chair rail, used to protect a wall from scuffs or gouges caused by furniture and other items of furniture. When used as a decorative feature, the moulding is usually positioned about 1/3 of the distance from the floor to the ceiling.
The wooden upper dado was used either to hang framed pictures from or to place picture frames within the space between the ceiling and the rail. Dado rails are today still a popular design element in many modern homes, particularly the lower rail. Dado rails are also used as a capping to wood panelling. A room can be greatly enhanced by the addition of a dado rail; contrasting paint colours look attractive, as well as a wallpaper and paint combination. There are no real skills required; just a few basic tools and a little time
Establish and Mark the Height Line
Establish and Mark the Height LineWork out the number of pieces of rail you need for the room.
Measure carefully and mark your cut lines accurately, to ensure a nice neat fit is achieved. This will also help reduce the amount of filler you will need, if you leave unsightly gaps
Check twice, Cut Once!
Check twice, Cut Once!Modern day, quick fix, quick dry adhesives are ideal for jobs of this nature.
When you have the rails cut to length, and a clearly visible datum line to work to; we’re ready to apply the adhesive. Always read the instructions before using, and apply two continuous beads of adhesive along the back and length of the rail
Apply the Adhesive
Apply the AdhesiveAlthough the adhesive hardens fairly rapidly and is extremely strong when set, it is best to temporarily secure the dado rail, when in position, with small nails or pins, as a precaution.
Use Nails as a Temporary Aid
Use Nails as a Temporary AidOnce the adhesive is fully set we can then finish the job off.
Before applying any stain or paint, we must fill in any gaps around the rail, and apply knotting where needed. It is important to paint knotting on bare wood knots in order to prevent any resin saps from weeping out over time, and staining through whichever coating we use
Filling and Knotting
Filling and KnottingThe finishing touches are all that’s needed now.
To finish the job off and protect our handiwork, we need only to either paint or stain it. As with all new timber, we shall need to apply a coat of both primer and undercoat before a finishing coat of our choice
Painting or Staining Your Dado Rail
Painting or Staining Your Dado Rail
