A dado rail, or surbase, may be used to describe a moulding that runs the whole length of a wall and provides the practical goal of preserving the wall while simultaneously providing the decorative objective of generating an aesthetically pleasing visual break for the eye.
The Usage of Dado Rail
Wainscoting and homebase dado rail was used in earlier homes for more functional purposes, such as concealing the effects of rising dampness on the walls or providing a means to hang paintings lower on the wall. Pictures were hung on these rails as well. However, dado rails are used for their aesthetic value in modern and contemporary homes to enhance the existing design of the property and provide a visible divide between different materials, colours, or decorative wall patterns. To improve the home’s visual appeal, this is done.
The Use of Dado Rail
Dado rails serve a variety of applications, whether they are mounted close to the ceiling or at chair height from the floor. In previous style residences constructed in the 19th and 20th centuries, the dado rails were placed higher and below the cornice of the roof. The goal was to create a device that would enable images to be mounted without damaging the wall. Dado rails were used to keep picture mountings at a uniform height throughout a room without damaging the drywall or wallpaper behind them. The dado rail was added beneath the cornice in some houses at a lower height to provide a space for displaying wall art.
For High Ceilings
Dado rails were often used in houses with high ceilings because they served to visually break up the wall space, make the ceiling seem smaller, and make the rooms feel cozy and comfortable. Because of this, they gained a lot of attention. The chair height, often between 750 and 1500 mm from the floor, is when dado rails are installed. Chair rails were installed in the 18th century to protect the walls from being damaged by the chair backs that were stored along the side of the dining room rather than arranged around the table.
Use of the Chair Rails
Chair rails, also known as wall protectors, serve the same purpose of keeping walls from being damaged by furniture. Walls with wainscoting often have dado rails installed at the top of the wainscoting panels for a finished look. The ornateness or simplicity of this effect depends on the era and design aesthetic of the home. Wainscoting is a kind of wall panelling used for decoration. Dado rails are often made out of timber or medium-density fibreboard. The homebase dado rail currently in place in your home will serve as a reference point for your material choice.
