"David Hearn" wrote in message
...
I'm thinking of putting up a dado rail but have a few questions.

Firstly - I've seen pre-primed MDF versions or plain pine versions
(cheaper). Which are better? What kind of work would need to be done for
the pine ones before fitting? The tag said to seal it on all sides
first -
what should I use to do this? We plan on using gloss paint as the final
coat. I assume the MDF would require less preparation - just fix to wall
and paint, whereas the pine would require sealing before fitting and then
painting afterwards.

Secondly - most of the corners in our room are corner, but there is one
external corner which is curved. What is the best way of getting the dado
around the corner? At worst case, I could just stop the dado at each side
of the corner and just leave the curved part without the rail.

Thirdly - what is the best way of fixing it to the wall? Nails? Glue/No
more nails? The wall is brick and plaster, so I'm not sure if nailing
would
be that easy.

Finally - what height is the most common? It's a 1930's semi's living
room
where we'll be doing it. It has high ceilings and we have a wooden mantel
around the fireplace and I think it would be okay at that height - it kind
of seems right to do it at the same height as the mantel, although a
little
lower may also be okay. I'm sure there must be a bit of a 'standard
height'
out there somewhere!

Thanks

David



SomeDado ( Richard Burbridge ) has a slot on the back, into which clips (
screwed to the wall ) can be pushed. Otherwise glue, or even mirror plates
( not recommended ). Beware trying to glue to an uneven wall. In the worst
case, if the dado is a bit gap where it joins the wall, fill with some
polyfilla.

Height is up to you, but 1/3 of the room height in a standard height room,
or the height of high back chairs, or 1 yard to the top of the dado, or the
same height as the windowsill. In the happiest circumstances, these are all
very much the same height.

Andy.