Picture rails
Commonly installed in UK properties throughout the majority of the 20th century, this traditional form of moulding serves both a functional and aesthetic roll. Whilst not commonly typically installed for it’s function anymore, this moulding can still provide a unique aesthetic within a building.
What is a picture rail?
Picture rail is another of the traditional mouldings that were installed throughout common cavity masonry UK homes during the 19th and 20th centuries. Picture rail is often seen as antiquated, with it’s original implementation for hanging pictures having falling out of fashion. As such, picture rail is no longer installed as standard within residential properties in the UK, though it can still be implemented to great visual effect.
The profile of picture rail is designed as such to receive special picture hooks that allow for mirrors, picture, and other decorations to be hung anywhere within a room without additional fixings required. The hooks receive over the upper lip of the moulding, and can be freely removed if required.
This moulding is installed horizontally around rooms towards the upper portion of the walls, somewhere in the region of between 300mm and 500mm down from a standard 8’ ceiling. It was commonly implemented alongside the installation of dado rails. For all intents and purposes, this moulding is installed following the same procedures as dado rail and skirting boards.
What are the criteria for the installation of a picture rail?
Installed within the upper wall areas of a room, picture rails are implemented in a similar fashion to other horizontal mouldings such as dado rails and skirting boards. As the moulding is installed horizontally around the room at a specified height, its imperative that the picture rail is installed perfectly level. The internal and external corners are formed through the use of mitres and internal copes. The moulding should be fixed suitably to the wall at regular intervals through the use of appropriate fasteners and adhesives.
How are picture rails installed?
Once again, this moulding is installed following the same processes as skirting boards and dado rails. The height of installation is determined and reference marks are made around the room. Picture rail is commonly installed at somewhere between 300mm and 500mm down from the ceiling, with consideration for other installed components being accounted for. The moulding does not typically run above the header of a set of architraves, and ordinarily comes into the side of the architrave legs. A reasonable distance must be maintained between the picture rail and the coving/cornice, if any is present. Any window pelmets or craftsman casings must also be considered, as picture rail installed above these components can create an unbalanced appearance.
When installed the picture rail, the longest lengths are installed first as usual. Picture rail installed in multiple lengths on long walls must be joined with a splayed cut for a suitable overlap of the material. The internal corners are coped as usual, and the external corners are mitred. Suitable fixings and adhesives must be utilized.