Wainscoting vs. Judges Paneling: What’s the Difference?

Molding is a popular technique that simultaneously enhances a room’s appearance and covers your walls and ceiling imperfections. Panel molding is a process used on recessed or flat surfaces. These molds are common on mantels, doors, and walls. There are many types of molding to consider, and two formal options you might be considering include wainscoting and judges paneling—read on to explore the differences between these elements.

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What Is Wainscoting?

It can be hard to memorize every single type of panel molding. However, you only need to know two today: wainscoting and judges paneling. Here are a few points on what you should know about the wainscoting panel type.

  1. Wainscoting is not the molding name; it is a type of panel molding.
  2. This panel type is decorative and spans about 32” above or below floor level.
  3. Wainscoting is always a panel piece. The most common type of wainscoting is wood.
  4. Some people also call wainscoting a sectional wall treatment.

What Is Judges Paneling in Home Molding?

Judges paneling is similar to wainscoting in a variety of ways, with one being that they’re both wood paneling types. The main difference between judges paneling and wainscoting is that judges typically takes up entire walls. Additionally, judges paneling refers to the process of installing woodwork up to the ceiling.

The Difference in Wainscoting

This paneling system is often confused with judges. Wainscoting appears closer to floorboards in rectangles or squares. Here’s a distinct difference: the rectangles you see toward the bottom of a floor are wainscoting; these wood panels provide character and dimension to a space. The designs in wainscotting often appear like horizontal picture frames on the lower half of a wall.

Why Should You Use Wainscoting?

While it looks beautiful, wainscoting does serve a purpose. Since wainscoting is close to the ground, it creates a barrier to protect the wall from chair and table damage.

The Difference in Judges Paneling

These panels are usually rectangular shaped; this common style is a recurring pattern of rectangles and squares. While the rectangular designs in wainscoting typically appear horizontally, judges paneling utilizes vertical rectangles.

Why Use Judges Paneling?

Judges paneling covers wall blemishes and prevents wall damage. While it protects walls from damage, it will be cheaper to replace judges paneling if ever necessary than it would be to repair a wall. With this option, you don’t need to go through extensive construction to enjoy your space again.

Hire Bear Mountain Custom Painting for Paneling Services

Home molding is an exceptional process that enhances your home in various ways. It easily elevates a space while allowing you to cover a room’s imperfections. From installing a sectional wall treatment to installing panel molds to the ceiling, there is plenty you can do to customize your room’s layout with wood wall molds.

Bear Mountain Custom Painting offers homeowners professional carpentry services along with specialized services, including the installation of wood mold paneling. We’re ready to chat with you about the differences between wainscoting and judges paneling and booking your first carpentry job—contact us today!

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