How much does wainscoting cost?
How much does wainscoting cost?
$10 – $40 cost per square foot installed
Average cost to install wainscoting
Wainscoting costs $10 to $40 per square foot installed on average, depending on the wall size, panel material, labor rates, and finish. The cost to install wainscoting in an 8’ x 10’ room with 3-foot wainscoting is around $2,400 to $9,600. Adding paint or using expensive hardwoods costs more than simple pine or MDF.
| Project size (square feet) | Average installed cost |
|---|---|
| 50 | $500 – $2,000 |
| 75 | $750 – $3,000 |
| 100 | $1,000 – $4,000 |
| 150 | $1,500 – $6,000 |
| 200 | $2,000 – $8,000 |
| 250 | $2,500 – $10,000 |
The standard height of wainscoting is one-third of the wall’s height. Most homes have 8- to 11-foot ceilings, so wainscoting is usually about 3 to 3.5 feet. However, some homes feature wainscoting on the full wall from floor to ceiling.
What is wainscoting?
Wainscoting is a decorative wall covering historically used to insulate rooms and protect walls. The name “wainscot” comes from German and means “wall board.” It was traditionally made of oak, but modern homeowners have many more material choices—including pine, MDF, and even PVC.
Wainscoting cost by panel type
The most common wainscoting style consists of thin squares attached to the wall, usually painted white. Elaborate styles and raised profiles tend to cost more than simple recessed or shaker-style squares. Beadboard and shiplap cost slightly less than traditional wainscoting styles and consist of thin vertical or horizontal boards.
| Panel type | Cost per square foot installed |
|---|---|
| Flat panel | $10 – $15 |
| Board and batten | $10 – $23 |
| Beadboard | $10 – $20 |
| Shiplap | $10 – $20 |
| Raised panel | $12 – $30 |
| Overlay | $15 – $40 |
Flat panel
Flat panel wainscoting costs $10 to $15 per square foot and is the simplest option. This minimalistic design uses flat square panels without beveled edges or elaborate trim. This type of wainscoting can cover up unfinished, damaged, or textured walls.
Board and batten
Board and batten paneling costs $10 and $23 per square foot and is also called Shaker paneling. This style uses thick vertical planks called battens that vary in size. They look similar to beadboard but are usually made of wider boards.
Beadboard
Beadboard wainscoting costs $10 to $20 per square foot and is made with thin, decorative, vertical panels arranged side by side. This style lends itself to a rustic or country atmosphere and can help add warmth to your space.
Shiplap
Shiplap wainscot paneling costs $10 to $20 per square foot and is made of rows of horizontal boards. This style also has a rustic feel and is a favorite in cabins and cottages. Shiplap wainscoting is simple but adds depth and texture to a room.
Raised panel
Raised panel wainscoting costs $12 to $30 per square foot and is the most traditional wainscoting style. The contractor installs a backboard and then decorative panels and trim on top, which gives them a 3D look. Most will have beveled edges or decorative trim.
Overlay
Overlay wainscoting costs $15 and $40 per square foot. This style is similar to raised panel wainscoting, except it comes with an extra board in the center, which adds more decoration and detail.
Wainscoting cost factors
Wainscoting costs depend mostly on the material you choose and local labor rates. More complex projects and higher-quality materials will cost more. The following factors also influence the installation cost for wainscoting:
Job size: Bigger rooms require more materials, especially if you’re covering all the walls instead of having an accent wall.
Prefab vs. custom: Many hardware stores sell premade wainscoting panels made of MDF, pine, corrugated metal, or PVC. They may cost more per square foot than raw materials but are much easier to install.
Finish: Pre-painted or stained panels cost more than unfinished wainscoting materials. Painting interior trim costs $1 to $4 per linear foot.
Trim: Other types of interior trim cost $4 to $10 per square foot.
Material
Wainscoting materials cost anywhere from $3 to $22 per square foot, depending on the type. MDF and PVC cost less than hardwoods but are not as durable.
| Material | Price per square foot (materials only) |
|---|---|
| MDF or plywood | $3 – $12 |
| Vinyl | $5 – $10 |
| PVC | $5 – $10 |
| Cedar | $8 – $15 |
| Redwood | $10 – $20 |
| Oak | $12 – $22 |
| Maple | $12 – $20 |
If you’re installing wainscoting in a kitchen or bathroom, try to avoid MDF. The steam in these rooms can make the fibers expand and warp over time.
Labor
The labor cost to install wainscoting is about $70 to $100 per hour. Different types of contractors have different rates:
Carpenters charge $30 to $100 per hour on average. General contractors charge $50 to $150 per hour or 10% to 20% of the project cost.
Any necessary prep work, patching, or sanding before work begins may cost extra.
Drywall repair costs $100 to $400 per hole or crack or about $200 to $750 total, depending on the extent of the damage.
Do it yourself wainscoting
DIY wainscoting costs less than professional installation, but you’ll have to handle the measuring, cutting, installing, and painting on your own. If you want to pare down your project timeline, shop around for premade wainscoting panels at Home Depot or your local hardware store.
Wainscoting FAQs
How high should wainscoting be?
Wainscoting should be one-third of the wall’s height, whether it’s in a living space or a bathroom. This means a room with 8-foot ceilings should have 32-inch-high wainscoting. 11-foot ceilings should have wainscoting that’s 44 inches tall. The most popular wainscoting panel sizes are 3 to 3.5 feet tall.
Is wainscoting outdated?
Wainscoting is a classic home design feature. Like any other design, it goes in and out of fashion, but most people today would consider it in style and not outdated.
How long does it take to install wainscoting?
It takes about 10 to 15 hours to install wainscoting in one 10’ x 10’ room. Installing wainscoting on one small wall is faster than if the room is larger or has multiple angles and corners.
Getting estimates from wainscoting installers
When searching for local trim carpenters to install wainscoting, follow these steps:
Get three or more free estimates from contractors to compare.
Read reviews of their business on HomeGuide and Google.
Choose a licensed, bonded, and experienced contractor.
Get a written contract before they start any work.
Follow a payment schedule instead of paying in full up front.
What questions should I ask carpenters?
Ask your local trim carpenters the following questions:
How long have you been in business?
Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?
What material would you recommend for this project?
What wainscoting styles are you most familiar with?
How do you handle any possible on-the-job damage?
How long will this project take to complete?
Do you offer a warranty or a guarantee for your work?
Will you give me a written estimate and contract before you start?
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.