Types of wainscot?

Wainscot is a wall finish style most often made of wood. Initially used as insulation, it is now primarily a form of decoration which covers the lower half of a wall and can be topped with a chair rail. Styles range from casual and simplistic to ornate and sophisticated. Classic categories of wainscot styles include raised panel, flat panel, beadboard, and plank and batten. Alternatives are also available, including plastic, tile, or metal ones.

Raised panel
The raised panel boiserie has a simple box-shaped edge with a bevelled effect; it looks like a series of large rectangles that have had some material removed right around the edges. This type originated in the European colonial period and often looks best in rooms that share a similar style, including Colonial, Federalist, and Queen Anne. It is mainly used in formal settings, such as libraries, studies and living rooms. The raised panel is one of the most common and classic styles.

Flat panel
Recessed or flat panel trim looks similar to raised panel, but instead of a beveled edge with a raised center, the entire rectangle is flat. This style fits well with Mission, Shaker, and Arts and Crafts style homes. It has a simple look that is often used in family rooms and other family oriented areas of a home.

Beadboard
Beaded wainscoting, also called tongue and groove, became popular during the Victorian period of the 19th century. Like the other types, it typically has beveled edges at the top and bottom, but the center panel has vertical grooves resembling pleated curtains or blinds. The distance between the grooves can be varied to create wider planks or very narrow strips, depending on the desired look. Beadboard is often found in more casual settings, such as bathrooms, cottages and vacation homes.

Table and Door
A simple style that looks somewhat similar to flat panel, panel, and wood lath often doesn’t have the standard beveled edges around the center panels. Instead, narrow planks run vertically between the chair rail and the plinth. Traditionally, vertical planks, called laths, were designed to hide the seams in the wood panels underneath. This look works well in homes with a simple or rustic feel, like those in the Shaker style.

More Options
Different wainscot styles can also be combined for a more unique look. Since there is no “right” height for this wall treatment, two or more rows of raised or flat panels could be used, for example, for a taller cladding that provides more visual interest. Beadboard can be used at the bottom of a wall, while a narrow row of boards and battens can be placed above it. When combining different types, it’s important for a homeowner to keep in mind the overall style of the room and home, or they could create a wall treatment that’s interesting to look at, but looks out of place.
Rather than installing wainscoting, homeowners could also consider stacked panels. These have a very similar look, but can incorporate a wider range of styling options. When using stacked paneling, chair rail or other molding is attached to the wall above the trim area and a skirting board below; in between, raised decorative panels can be attached directly to the wall. Because they’re not built to a specific size, there’s more flexibility in where they can be placed. Overlays can also be used over flat panel cladding rather than attached to the wall.

Materials
Wood is a popular option for wainscoting material because it can be milled to fit nearly any room or space. It can also be stained or painted to better suit the look and feel of a room; darker colors, for example, usually look better in a formal room, while wood that has been left its natural color or painted white might fit well in a family room or holiday home. Wainscoting can also be made from many different wood species, including pine, oak, cherry and mahogany. As with the choice of paint or stain, the wood used should match the room’s decor.
For a less expensive option, some homeowners use PVC plastic wainscoting. These sheets can be preformed and will not warp, rot or be damaged by insects as wood can be. Even plastic can be painted easily. It may not be the best choice for a very formal room, however, as it’s not likely to have the same crisp, clear grain lines and edges that characterize wood wall treatments.

Embossed metal and ceramic tile are other wainscoting options. These materials will give a very different look to the wall, but can serve the same decorative purpose. Tin can be pressed into very intricate designs, for example, and can be left silver or painted to coordinate with the room. Tile could be a good choice for a kitchen or bathroom, where moisture damage to wood could be a problem.

Other options include pre-printed medium-density fiberboard (MDF) or drywall. MDF is made from wood fibers that have been mixed with binders, making it strong and less prone to warping or cracking. It can also be covered with a veneer that makes it look like natural wood. Drywall, which is the same material that forms the walls of most homes, can also be formed to resemble wainscot, although it won’t provide any additional protection to the wall in the way wood would.
origins
The original purpose of the boiserie was to make the rooms of the stone buildings more comfortable, isolating the environment from the cold stone walls. It also helped hide any ingress of moisture that could stain the undersides of the walls. In modern times, wainscot is mostly used for decoration, but it also serves a functional purpose: to protect the underside of the wall from damage. Chairs or other objects can dent or scratch a wall if they are pushed hard against it, but this treatment prevents the wall itself from taking the blow.

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