Chair rail, along with wainscot and tall baseboards, is one of the most popular types of moldings to be installed in new homes today. However, many carpenters – and homeowners – get confused when determining how high to install the trim. While there are some guidelines to follow, the height of the chair rail can be influenced by personal preference and other features such as window trim and fireplaces. It’s important to take into account the proportions of the room as well as how the chair rail will look when viewed from various angles.
Traditional chair rail is positioned between 32 and 36 inches from the floor. This is typically higher than wainscoting, but lower than crown molding. This height was initially established to prevent the backs of chairs from abrasively scratching plaster walls in dining rooms, where people moved them around the table while eating. Chair rail has since become a decorative element that can also be used to add texture and depth to the wall space.
To determine the right chair rail height, start by deciding where you want the top edge of the molding to sit. Then, step away and view the room from different angles. Consider how the rail will look with other existing features in the room, such as wallpaper borders, fireplaces and other wall molding. Once you have decided where you want the top edge of the chair rail to sit, mark that point on the wall with a pencil. Make an identical mark on the opposite end of the wall. Snap a chalk line between the two marks to create a reference line that shows the height at which the chair rail will be fitted.
Now, use an electronic stud finder to locate the vertical positions of the wall studs that intersect the chalk reference line. You’ll want to fit the chair rail into those studs so it will be secure. If you are installing the chair rail over existing baseboards, you may have to cut off the ends of those pieces at a 45-degree angle in order to fit the new trim around them. This isn’t necessarily a problem, but it will be important to know in advance if any additional trimming will be necessary to complete the job properly.
Historically, the height of a Doric column was determined by using a ratio known as the golden mean or golden ratio. The formula is simple: the base of a column should be two modules, and the height should be seven times as tall. Similarly, the height of the chair rail should be about one-third as high as the base of the stair.
Remember that the primary purpose of a chair rail is to introduce scale and proportion into a room. The proper height can help tie a room together and can give it a much more finished look. The other important factor is that the chair rail should complement and not overpower the furniture you place in the room.
