What is the difference? Is there one? As a designer I find that I use terms loosely and don’t always realize that even though people look at me like they understand… it isn’t always the case. So this brings me to my thought process for the day. Is there a difference between panel molding and wainscoting?

PANEL MOLDING  by definition…

panel·molding noun – Used to create ornate raised panels, either full wall height, or above the chair rail, as wainscotting below the chair rail, or to add detail to plain doors., when combined with ceiling medallions, panel mouldings are also used to create detailed ceilings.

WAINSCOTING by definition…

wainscot – panel forming the lower part of an interior wall when it is finished differently from the rest of the wall. Also called wainscoting, wainscotting a lining applied to the walls of a room, esp one of wood panelling.

Hmmmm. So there isn’t a HUGE difference but if you wanted to pick the definitions and differences apart to ensure that you are on the same page with your designer, client, or contractor the basic differences are as follows:

• Panel molding reaches above the chair rail (typical chair rail height is approximately 32″ above the floor)
• Panel molding can even be applied on the ceiling
• Wainscoting is applied below the chair rail
• Panel molding are can either be in the form of panels or simply trim pieces
• Wainscoting is a complete piece of paneling (usually wood)

So there you have it. Though slight, there is a difference between the two… but at the end of the day you can typically interchange the two terms and most will know what you are talking about.

Wainscoting and panel molding are one of the easiest ways to add architectural detail and interest to a typical suburban beige box. No more boring orange peel walls now there can be a bit of class in a boring square box of a room. Love it!

Either option also opens the door to getting creative with color and even wall paper. Think of the possibilities! I love this dining room and the use of grass cloth within the panel molding.

Wainscoting can seem daunting and time consuming to apply and I was so excited when I came across this product from Intrig. It’s a fabricated material which means that it is lighter than the typical wood wainscoting. It looks like it is easy to install and should be easy to cut. Super cool!

P.S. I want to say thank you to my faithful readers for your patience. I’m a bit slow at posting right now because I’m transitioning from PC to MAC and I’m fighting a lovely head cold. Oh, and not to mention I lost my day job so things are a bit in flux at the moment. … so once again, thank you.

• Definition for Panel Molding was found at: www.buymoldings.com
• Definition for Wainscoting was found at: www.freeonlinedictionary.com