When wainscoting is installed on a staircase, it provides added protection to the walls from being damaged. It also creates a more attractive appearance for your stairs and makes them feel more like part of the home rather than an afterthought.
Installing wainscoting on a staircase is not always affordable and can be a complicated process. The cost of wainscotting depends on many factors, but we have compiled some general estimates below!
So, let us find out if this would be a good investment for your home.
What is Wainscoting, and Why Would You Want to Install It on Your Stairs?
Wainscoting is fitted wicker panels installed on the lower portion of a wall, typically near the floor and beneath windows. They are often combined with other decorative elements such as molding or trim work to create an elegant look in any room.
It will provide added protection from damage to your walls by making it impossible for people to reach up and grab onto them easily. It also provides visual interest and makes your staircase feel like a part of the home rather than just another afterthought.
In addition, if you have a basement or cellar area where wainscotting has already been installed, there may be some financial incentives available to help offset installation costs! [See below].
Adding wainscoting can give any room a classic and elegant look that is perfect for both formal and informal spaces.
Pros and Cons of Wainscoting Your Staircase
There are a few different pros and cons to wainscotting your staircase.
Pros:
- Wainscoting can give your staircase a classic and elegant look
- Wainscoting provides added protection to the walls of your staircase
Cons:
- Wainscoting is not always affordable
- Wainscotting can be difficult to install depending on your construction materials and style.
How Much Does Installing Wainscoting on a Staircase Cost?
There are many factors to consider when estimating the cost of wainscotting your staircase.
Still, they include things like material costs (wood vs. vinyl), width/height of wainscoting, wainscoting height above flooring, wainscoting length, and other decorative elements.
Below you will find some general estimates of wainscoting installation costs for a staircase in your home:
- Wainscotting made from wood could cost around $500 to install on the stairs, while vinyl might be around $400.
- The wainscoting height above the floor could affect costs, so if it is more than a foot, then you may have to pay for wainscotting material as well as installation labor.
- Wainscoting installed in three panels (one on each side and one at the bottom) will cost around $300.
- Wainscoting that is installed all the way to the ceiling will cost around $800*.
*This estimate may vary depending on your home and wainscoting material used, but this gives you an idea of what a more involved project might look like!
*The installation costs also depend on wainscoting height above flooring, wainscoting length, and other decorative elements
Different Factors that Influence the Cost of Wainscoting Staircase
1. Choice of Wood or Vinyl
Wood wainscotting will typically cost more to install than vinyl wainscoting but is a more natural and durable material. Hardwood is a good choice for panels. It is strong and lasts long at the same time it costs more. Oak wainscotting is also a good choice because it is a durable and versatile wood that can be stained or painted to suit your needs.
Vinyl wainscotting is a cheaper, more environmentally friendly option. It is also easier to install because it does not require any sanding or finishing. In addition, vinyl wainscotting comes in a large variety of colors and styles to suit your taste!
2. Decorative Panels for your Staircase
If you want wainscotting on your staircase and want to have some decorative panels, this will increase the cost. Wainscoting stairs by yourself can save money. But with the help of professionals, you must give more money.
3. Amount of Wainscotting Needed
Less wainscoting is cheaper because it includes labor and materials for one panel (one on each side, one at the bottom). However, more wainscotting would include installation costs for all three panels or even to the ceiling.
4. Complexity
If wainscoting is more complex, this will increase the cost. For example, it could be a staircase wainscotting that curves up from one side to another or deep molding and trims. Some panels are too hard to make because they are too complicated. If you hire a professional contractor, the price will be higher as he will quote according to the complexity of the process.
How to Save Money While Wainscoting Your Staircase?
It is true that wainscotting a staircase and landings can be expensive. There are several ways to save, though:
- To begin with, decide how much wainscoting you want on the staircases and landings; wainscoting installed halfway up the wall will do in many cases.
- If this is a DIY project, you can wainscot the staircase and landings with pre-finished wainscotting boards.
- If you are an experienced carpenter or have one on hand who owes you a favor, then consider wainscoting your stairs from scratch; this will be cheaper than buying premade wainscotting boards.
- Moving On, determine the wainscoting style you want and then shop around for wainscot materials; some suppliers may sell wainscotting supplies cheaper than others.
- In the end, use reclaimed or recycled wainscot material from a different project to save money on the wainscoting cost.
As you can see, wainscotting is a skill that can be achieved by many methods. If your budget is tight but wainscoting the staircase and landings of your home or business property would make it more appealing to potential buyers and renters, then consider some of these cost-saving wainscoted ideas for next time!
Conclusion
To Summarize, wainscoting on a staircase can be expensive. And wainscotting the walls is optional, but it does give you more options in your design and will increase the wainscotting material cost because of its larger surface area.
Wainscoting staircases are not just for looks; they offer additional safety measures to prevent slipping and falling.
Installing wainscoting on a staircase can be an expensive undertaking, especially if the wainscotting material cost is not included in your budget.
Always look out for professionals who are certified and have a history of wainscotting experience.
