What Is Wainscoting Called in Australia?

What Is Wainscoting?

“What do Australians call wainscoting?” is a question we are often asked, and the answer really is simple… It’s called ‘wainscoting.’

Confusion sets in as there are many types and names for ‘wainscoting’ that are used interchangeably or between different applications on the wall. So, here’s the difference:

Wainscoting is a broad term used to describe decorative panelling applied to walls.

Originally, it was used as insulation to prevent damage to walls and hide rising dampness. Today, it is used as a beautiful decorative feature.

The type of panel used determines the name of the wainscoting, such as raised panel, flat panel, board and batten, and beadboard (also known as lining board or V-groove board). You’ll find out which panel is which as you read on.

Types of Wainscoting

Frame and Panel Wainscoting

Most commonly, wainscoting is made up of panels and frames. It usually covers just the lower third of a wall and is topped with a decorative chair rail (also known as a dado rail).

When using wainscoting frames and wainscoting panels (or just frames on their own), there are many ways they can be applied to the walls:

1. Traditionally, with framing on the lower half of the wall with a chair rail
2. Framing above and below the chair rail
3. Top and bottom framing with no chair rail
4. If you want to go all out, you can double-frame

Flat Panel, Board & Batten and Shaker Style Wainscoting

Flat panel wainscoting and the board and batten wainscoting method are the most traditional applications. This involves attaching MDF or timber sheets to the wall, adding flat panels to create the ‘squares’, and then applying the inlay mould (which usually has a rebate cut from the back) on the inner lip of the timber.

This simple type produces clean lines and a ‘shaker style’ look. There are a few ways to achieve this look. You can add a sheet of MDF or a similar board placed on the lower part of the wall to produce a bit more projection. Then you arrange a flat DAR (Dressed All Round) profile in a square or rectangular configuration to create the batten.

The more straightforward way to achieve this is to apply a flat DAR timber profile directly onto the wall. Again, the way you can apply this style to the wall is varied and can be used on the lower third of the wall with a chair rail or applied to the entire wall.

Vertical “V” Lining Board and Beadboard Wainscoting

Vertical wainscoting (also known as VJ-groove board or beadboard in Australia) is created using V-groove lining boards. Put simply, a narrow wooden panel is fitted together in a tounge and groove pattern and lined vertically on the wall. Between each wooden plank is a small indentation or a ridge, also known as the ‘bead’. The vertical boards are capped off by a chair rail or dado rail, which usually has a rebate in the back so it sits neatly over the top of the boards and partly flush against the wall.

Beadboard or vertical lining board can be used anywhere in the house, on the ceiling, as a kitchen splashback, or in any entry or hallway.