What are Some Different Types of Wainscot?
Many American homes have incorporated English styles in their decor. One decorative technique brought by English settlers which has remained popular is wainscoting. Wainscot consists of wall paneling made of wood or other materials, which adds a decorative finish to a room or hallway. These panels can extend part or most of the way from the floor to the ceiling depending on decorative preference.
Wainscoting comes in many colors and styles, owing to the many companies that now custom build and install wainscot in homes. There are basic stylistic categories, though, that most wainscot will fall into. One popular style is raised panel wainscoting. It has a simple box edge with a beveled effect, and originated in the European colonial period. Raised panel wainscot is mostly used for formal settings, such as home offices or living rooms.
Flat panel or recessed wainscot is somewhat similar to raised panel, but without the beveled edge around the box. It has a simple look that is most often used in family rooms and other family-oriented areas of a house. Flat panel wainscot is seen as sort of an informal variation on the raised panel look, because of its simplicity.
In the Victorian design period of the 19th century, the beadboard style of wainscot began to be commonly used. It features beveled edges on the top and bottom, as well as vertical grooves in the panel. These grooves give this type of paneling a look which somewhat resembles pleated curtains or shutters. Today, beadboard wainscoting is found often in bathrooms, and vacation homes. It is considered to be a more informal look, like flat panel wainscoting, because it was originally used in less formal homes, such as cottages.
The original purpose of wainscot was a decidedly practical one. It was developed in the very distant past as a way to make rooms in stone buildings more comfortable. The wood paneling served to insulate the room from the cold stone walls. It also helped curb the problems that seeping dampness caused on the lower parts of walls.
Wainscoting is almost exclusively used for decoration now, and is a common part of many homes in the northeastern United States. As design styles change, it is also becoming incorporated into commercial applications. Restaurants, office conference rooms, and social clubs often use wainscoting for the softening effect it can have on an otherwise severely simple decor.
Written by Adam Hill
