FAQ
What is a dado rail?
A dado rail is a horizontal moulding that runs around the perimeter of a room, typically at about one-third of the wall height. Originally designed to protect walls from chair backs (which is why they're also called chair rails), they're now mainly decorative and used to create two-tone wall effects.
What is a picture rail?
A picture rail sits near the ceiling (typically 200-300mm below) and was originally designed for hanging artwork without putting holes in walls. Today they're mostly used as a decorative feature that draws the eye upward and can make ceilings appear higher.
Dado rail vs picture rail?
The key difference is position: dado rails sit lower on the wall (around 900-1000mm from floor) while picture rails sit near the ceiling. Dado rails divide the wall for colour blocking; picture rails draw the eye upward. Many Victorian homes used both together.
Are dado rails outdated?
Far from it. Dado rails have made a strong comeback alongside the wall panelling trend. They work in both period properties and modern homes, particularly for creating two-tone wall effects that are popular in hallways and living rooms. Modern dado rail ideas →
What height should my dado rail be?
There's no strict rule, but the common approach is to position it at one-third of the wall height. For a typical 2.4m ceiling, that's around 900-1000mm from the floor. Lower is generally better than higher to avoid making ceilings feel lower. Dado rail height calculator →
MDF or wood - which is better?
MDF is generally the better choice for most homes. It's moisture resistant, won't warp or split, and provides a smoother finish for painting. Wood can swell or shrink with humidity changes, which causes cracking and twisting over time. Our MDF rails are manufactured from high-density fibreboard for durability.
18mm or 25mm thickness?
18mm works well for most rooms with standard ceiling heights. 25mm provides more visual presence and is better suited to rooms with higher ceilings or where you want the rail to be a more prominent feature. Consider matching the thickness to your existing skirting boards and architraves.
Which profile is most popular?
Our 330 dado rail is the most popular design, working well in both traditional and contemporary settings. For simpler interiors, Bullnose (sometimes called pencil round) is a common choice. Ogee profiles suit period properties. Consider matching to your skirting board profile for a cohesive look.
Can dado rails make a room look bigger?
Yes, when used correctly. A lower dado rail with a lighter colour above can make ceilings appear higher. Painting the rail the same colour as the walls creates a seamless look that opens up space. Conversely, placing the rail too high can make rooms feel smaller.
Should I paint them the same colour as walls?
It depends on the effect you want. Painting everything the same colour creates a calm, unified look and makes rooms feel larger. Using a contrasting colour makes the rail a feature and works well with two-tone wall schemes. White rails on coloured walls is a classic approach but can look busy.
How do I fit a dado rail?
Mark a level line around the room at your chosen height, cut the rails to length with mitred corners, apply adhesive and fix with nails every 500mm. The key is getting corners right with proper mitre cuts. How to fit dado rails →
How do I fit dado rail on stairs?
Staircase installation requires calculating the angle of your stairs to get the right mitre cuts. You'll need to measure the rise and run of your steps, then use these to work out the cutting angles. It's more involved than flat walls but achievable with planning. Dado rail on stairs →
What lengths are available?
Our dado and picture rails come in 2440mm, 3050mm and 4200mm lengths. Longer lengths mean fewer joints, which gives a cleaner finish. Choose based on your room dimensions and how you want to minimise visible joins.
What finishes can I choose?
We offer unprimed (raw MDF), primed (one coat, needs undercoating before paint), undercoated (ready for final paint), and matte grey (pre-finished). Undercoated saves the most preparation time if you're planning to paint them.
How quickly will they be delivered?
Standard delivery is 6 - 9 working days. Need them faster? Our super fast delivery option gets your order to you within 4 working days. All rails are made to order in our Birmingham factory, so there's no warehouse stock sitting around.
Is delivery free?
Yes, standard delivery is free on all dado and picture rail orders over £48 (inc. VAT). We deliver across the UK mainland using our own vehicles for much of our coverage, which helps us maintain quality control right to your door.
Two-Tone Wall Effects
Dado rails let you paint or wallpaper above and below in different colours, breaking up large wall areas. Picture rails add a horizontal line near the ceiling that changes room proportions.
Getting the Height Right
How People Use Rails in 2025
Colour Breaks
Paint or wallpaper above and below the dado rail in different colours. Breaks up large wall areas and can make rooms feel more proportioned.
Picture Hanging
Picture rails let you hang artwork with wire and hooks instead of putting holes in walls. Useful for renters or if you change artwork frequently.
Period Properties
Many Victorian and Edwardian homes originally had rails. Adding them back restores the intended proportions and helps rooms feel more finished.
Available Sizes
| Specification | Options | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 18mm, 25mm | 25mm for high ceilings |
| Width | 50mm - 80mm | Varies by profile |
| Length | 2440mm, 3050mm, 4200mm | Longer reduces joints |
| Finish | Unprimed, primed, undercoated, matte grey | Factory applied |
Fitting Around Corners and Stairs
Staircase Angles
Getting continuous lines up stairs requires precise angle calculations. Our calculator works out the exact cuts needed.
Calculate dado rail stair angles →Uneven Walls
Older properties often have irregular surfaces. Pack out low spots with timber shims and use flexible caulk to fill remaining gaps.
View dado rail fitting guide →Corner Joints
Perfect mitres require accurate cutting and good wall preparation. Use a proper mitre box and trial fit before final fixing.
Use Mitre Angle Calculator →Made to Order in Birmingham
When you place your order, our system sends your specifications to our factory where a machinist cuts each rail to size. No warehouse stock means consistent quality and precision dimensions from moisture-resistant MDF.