What are the steps in hanging a border as a chair rail?

Question

I want to redo my dining room. I would like to paper or paint the bottom half and use a wide border for a chair rail look. Any instructions would be appreciated.

Answer 1

Measure the height of the back of your chairs and use that as the middle point for your line (the border will be half above and half below). Measure the width of the border, divide in half, measure down from the middle line mark and mark where the lower edge will be. This will be your line.

With help (or a nail) hold a chalk-line on the mark, pull out the line and check for level, then snap the line (a level will do the same thing if you don't have a chalk-line. The longer the level the better).

If you are going to paint, use masking tape (the blue tape is great for this) and place the tape right above the line, then paint. When done and the paint has dried, peel off the tape and you'll have a nice crisp edge to work with. Same goes if you're painting the upper portion.

If you're going to paper, do that first, then when done papering, use a sharp (new) razor and carefully cut across the line again leaving a nice crisp edge (a level works great as cutting guide, though any stiff straight item will work). You might need to mark the line again over the paper.

For border installations here's a great website with loads of info and tips.
http://www.wallpaperstore.com/InstallingBorders.htm

Answer 2

I would measure 36"-38" above the floor and use a 4 or 5-foot level to carry the line around the room. Put the paper on so that the bottom of the border is on the pencil line. Buy some inexpensive molding (even if it's flat or 'non-decorative') paint it before you install it and use a glue gun to stick it to the wall... one above and one below the paper. where the trim hits the wall where the paper isn't (top of top trim and bottom of bottom trim) use alex caulking to close the crack between the wall and the trim. Paint the upper wall to the trim top and the lower to the lower trim bottom. Good look as the trim "frames" the border and gives dimension and depth to the finished look. Just my opinion though. Good Luck!

Answer 3

well it depends on if you want half the wall done a 1/4 so on... measure where you want to paint then apply the border on top of that its real simple depending on how high you want the bottom half done.