I would like to install beadboard molding in my little half-bath

[yardwork]

I watched a video that Lowes made and installation requires a lot of precision cutting with a circular saw. Can I use a saw like that in the house? I live in a condo and don't have a workshop. I have a patio outside with an electrical outlet - I could cut things out there. Is it reasonable to do this kind of work without a workshop, garage, or dedicated place?

Can I learn enough by watching youtube videos or would it be dangerous to try to learn by using power tools?

I'm happy to find this group on DU because I'm interested in doing more home improvement jobs myself, but I don't know where to begin. Never used power tools, don't have a clue. Want to learn.

Thanks in advance for any and all advice.

[liberal N proud]

1. Use the patio if you can

The noise and mess make it a difficult task in the house. It can be done but dust will be everywhere and you will need hearing protection.

Good luck.

[Ruby the Liberal]

2. Good luck with the project!

No advice as I am the anti-handy person, but I do love me some beadboard.

Before and after pics would be cool.

[jeff47]

3. It depends

If you mean "beadboard molding" that goes only about 2-3 feet up the wall, you're actually talking about wainscoting (usually pronounced like "wayne's coating" or "wayne's coting&quot

If you mean "beadboard molding" that covers the entire wall, then you're talking about paneling. I'm gonna assume you mean wainscoting.

The difficulty is directly proportional to the shape of your bathroom. If it's a square, it's not too hard. If it's not a square, it is harder. If it has any outside corners, it's even harder. If it has any round walls, leave it to a pro or a very experienced amateur.

Also, the walls are probably not straight. If they are far enough out of plumb (aka. straight vertically), it can be difficult to make the beadboard pattern look good - those lines will reveal the walls are leaning when the lines come together in the corners.

Finally, the corners aren't going to be 90 degrees - it's actually almost impossible to create a perfect 90 in a house due to finishing issues and settling.

One thing that can help cover imperfections is molding - Put some baseboard on top of the beadboard to cover gaps between the beadboard and the floor. That will also give you some room to fiddle with the beadboard so the lines look straight. Consider using "L" shaped molding on any corners (or cut some 3/4" wood into the widths you need). You will also want a chair rail or cap rail to cover the top of the beadboard.

Finally, start the pattern in the most visible spot in the room - usually the wall or a corner across from the door. Ideally, you will end behind the door because that's the least visible part of the room, and so the pattern not lining up will be the least noticeable.

Can I use a saw like that in the house?

Yep. They're kinda loud though, so you should expect to use it during "normal" hours. You'll also make a lot of sawdust, which will go everywhere.

Is it reasonable to do this kind of work without a workshop, garage, or dedicated place?

The tricky part is the beadboard pattern means you've got a lot of straight, vertical lines. That means if your cuts aren't straight, it's going to be obvious. So you'll need to have some patience and take your time while making the cuts if you use a hand-held saw. I highly recommend getting some form of straightedge you can clamp onto the beadboard as a guide.

A "pro" might use a tablesaw instead, which makes it easier to cut a very straight line. But a tablesaw that is good enough to do a good job isn't cheap.

Can I learn enough by watching youtube videos or would it be dangerous to try to learn by using power tools?

Don't put any body parts you wish to keep near the spinning parts of the tools. Things that can cut wood can easily cut people. And as mentioned above, the main issue is going to be cutting straight lines. The rest is pretty simple.

[Joe Shlabotnik]

4. good point about the table saw.

If you have the space, maybe look into renting a table saw for a weekend. Circular saws can be a bit unwieldy for visible finish work.

[Warpy]

6. However, it can be rented.

I built furniture in a Boston apartment without any outdoor space but I used mostly hand tools after I'd gotten the lumberyard to cut things roughly the right size, including a round tabletop. I used a cinderblock on top of foam rubber for any hammering that needed to be done, otherwise my only two power tools were a saber saw and drill. The neighbors never knew what I was up to in there.

I got a lot of compliments on that furniture, too.

[yardwork]

9. This is very helpful advice. Yes, I had in mind wainscoting.

The bathroom is rectangular, but it is tiny, and it's going to be difficult to maneuver around the sink and toilet. It's a half-bath under the stairs.

It sounds like this project might be a little difficult for a beginner. I think that I will paint the bathroom and see how that turns out, deferring wainscoting for the experts. I do love the way it looks, though....

[jeff47]

11. If it's tiny, I don't recommend beadboard

It will make the room look even smaller. Patterns on the walls generally make small rooms appear smaller and big rooms appear bigger.

If it's the wainscoting look you are after, you can get somewhat similar effects by putting up a chair rail and using two different paint colors above and below the chair rail. That would not shrink the room as much as beadboard. You can also use paint on one side of the chair rail and wallpaper on the other.

If you want some more basic finish carpentry practice, baseboard and crown molding are pretty easy and forgiving.

[yardwork]

12. This is great! Could I get the chair rail molding pre-cut at the hardware store?

I love the look of beadboard wainscoting, but I was a little worried about taking up even more space in the tiny bathroom. On the other hand, the walls have imperfections. The wainscoting would cover unevenness.

The current paint color in there is dark and old. If I repaint with a lighter color, I know that will help create a smoother look.

Another idea would be to wallpaper the whole thing, including the sloping ceiling. I would hire somebody to do that. I've hung wallpaper before. Never again.

[jeff47]

14. Not if you want it to fit.

You're going to have to cut it yourself. It's very easy to do with a hand saw and miter box.

[yardwork]

15. Doh! I never heard of a mitre box. Just googled it. How have I lived without this?!

I really don't know anything about tools, but I want to learn. I'm female and single. My father didn't do much in the way of home repairs. I wanted to take shop in middle school but girls had to take home economics. (I learned to use a sewing machine, which has been very handy.)

I would like to learn how to do basic home repairs and renovations. Where does a person begin? Again, I live in a condo and have no garage or space for a workshop.

[jeff47]

17. You learn by doing.

When you learned to use that sewing machine, someone didn't just throw a book at you and walk away. You were given projects to do.

Same with home improvement and woodworking. You just start doing. Be prepared for things to turn out very bad, but try to make them turn out very good. You'll slowly collect a series of tips and tricks that will make it easier.

"I wanna do home improvements, what do I do?" isn't going to get a good answer, because it isn't specific enough. "How do I make the corner come out right on this chair rail?" is going to get good answers.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

5. Dude, seriously, if you have no experience with power tools, hire sombody that does.

I've spent most of my 61 years in the building trades. There is a reason they pay us so well. Just sayin.
While I appreciate that you want to do it yourself and want to learn, you can not duplicate a lifetime of experience and tricks of the trade by reading a magazine article. Trust me, in the course of my life I have learned how to do most of the building trade arts but I have also learned that there are times to hire a proffesional. As an example. I can sheetrock a room to perfection. I know how to do it and I know the codes. A professional can sheetrock the same room in about one tenth of the time with no mistakes and without busting a sweat.

There are times when, no matter how good you think you are, it's just better to hire a pro.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

24. You got that right.

In approximately the same amount of time, I have finally learned that there are some things I'm better off hiring somebody else to do. I will do some simple projects like painting, but I won't touch drywall, plumbing, electrical wiring, or anything requiring the use of a power tool more complicated than a cordless drill. I'd rather not have to hire somebody to come in and fix something I messed up.

[Adsos Letter]

7. "...I'm interested in doing more home improvement jobs myself."

Whatever you decide on this particular project, remember to consider building code/permit issues before you start any future projects.

Unless you're moving electrical boxes or changing plumbing when you put up the beadboard, I very seriously doubt there are any code issues with this project.

However...you would be surprised at the number of home improvement projects that require permits, and there are often building construction codes which must be followed if you want your insurance to cover any damages that might occur as a result of (not to mention for your own safety, and that of others).

Don't forget to check with your homeowners association (if you have one) for any restrictions on exterior projects.

I'm really not trying to be a wet blanket here, and I seriously doubt you'll be doing anything on your beadboard project that requires a permit, or any concern with any code regulations. All I'm saying is that you should check your town's government website to find out when a permit is required, and what the state, county, and city building codes are (if any) for whatever project you're thinking about.

I don't know what state you're in, and the regulations vary widely across states and individual counties and communities.

I live in California, and we are heavily regulated on building issues.

Good Luck!

[yardwork]

13. This is very helpful advice, not just for me, but for other members of my HOA who may be considering

making improvements. In fact, I'm going to remind some neighbors of this right away. Thanks.

[Melissa G]

8. I'm remodeling my kitchen and have been reading a lot of home improvement

sites. They say a little beadboard goes a long way. I think I read that on Houzz. It's a fun site anyway. I'd search for advice for how much beadboard to install. Here is the link for first search for you. http://www.houzz.com/Beadboard

Good Luck! I've remodeled a lot. I hire when I think it is more efficient. I like to do the demolition, myself.

[yardwork]

16. How did you learn how to do it?

[Melissa G]

18. I watch the people I hire and I sometimes help if they are friends

Oh, and I read directions.

I took classes in art school and learned some power tools there, but I don't use them often. I do more the general contracting and I have crews of folks that I use over the years.

When I am doing a job I usually get three bids and I ask people to explain to me what they are going to do and how. I learn a lot that way as well. It also tells me about how good that person is going to be.

pm me if you have any more questions.
Best of Luck!
Melissa

[badhair77]

20. This is a great site.

Thanks for the link.

[Melissa G]

21. Glad you liked it! n/t

[yardwork]

10. Thanks for the responses. This is all very helpful.

[Phentex]

19. a tip I did not see...

First, I love it in a bathroom, small or not.

I have it in my kitchen. My only advice is prime the hell out of it. Plain stuff soaks up a ton of paint and getting in to the grooves means drippy marks if you aren't careful. If I had to do it again, I'd prime before installing it.

Good luck!

[tru]

22. late to the party

You can learn to do stuff yourself. See http://diydiva.net for example.

What did you decide on?

[yardwork]

23. Thanks! I am holding off on this. Some other things came up...