Chair Rail Install?

Question

I am installing a chair rail in a room with a window. When my chair rail meets the window, should I run it right below the window trim? Or should I give it some room between the rail and the trim of the window. I am painting one color below the rail and another color above the rail.

Thanks for your help!

Answer 1

Actually chair rail placement shouldn't strictly depend on window placement at all. To follow that line of thought; what might it look like if the window sill was as low as 12 inches off the floor level? OR above 48 inches.

Certainly there are no chair rail laws or police to enforce a choice; and you should place it where it pleases you aesthetically.

Without knowing at all whether or not the window is framed; or recessed into the wall as part of the drywall. I would NOT then frame the unframed window in chair rail.

If the sill is at a height that suits the height of the rail, and does extend into the room; just BUTT the rail to the underside of the sill. Hopefully the window trim; if it exists; will be the same color as the chair rail. Without the details of the window this is all just guessing. Some homes have cultured marble sills; Especially those windows not framed with any decorative molding.

The painting notion you suggest isn't unique.

Steven Wolf

Answer 2

Chair Rail Window

Answer 3

Apart from just protecting walls from getting damaged by chair ends, chair rails also have a visual quality. When they meet window frames you should stop them and continue after the window. Someone has mentioned to frame the window as well, but that's additional expense and if you don;t want to do that you can end the chair rail near the window frame in a manner that will merge them with wall and window jam.

Answer 4

I've always installed chair rail at the height of the back of the chair so that if the chair hits the wall it would prevent damage to the wall. but put it wherever it floats your boat

Answer 5

if you stop at the frame - you should frame the window, which adds yet more work to your already busy weekend. Which of course takes away from watching football.

so - run it below the window and get it done sooner so you can get back on the couch and watch TV where you belong after a hard weeks work.

Answer 6

You might try liquid nail. It comes in a tube like caulk and sets up hard. The only problem if you ever decided to remove the trim you are putting up it will probably tear the plaster to if you remove it. It will hold the trim in place though.

Answer 7

It should stop each side of the window frame unless the window is higher than normal