Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Wainscot

WAINSCOT, denotes the timber-work employed for lining the walls of apartments: it is usually made in the form of pannels, and painted, in order to serve as a substitute for hangings.

According to the modern practice of building, rooms are wainscoted only to the height of two or three feet; the intermediate space, to the ceiling, being usually covered with paper. The walls, however, ought to be thoroughly dry, before the wainscot is fixed; as the moisture exuding from the bricks is apt to loosen the pannels, and thus disfigure the workmanship. With a view to prevent such accidents, charcoal and wool are usually placed between the timber and the wall; but the most certain method of preserving the wainscot, consists in priming the inner sides of the joints with white lead, or with a mixture of Spanish brown and linseed oil.