Easy question that needs a quick answer.

[glen box]

What is the std height to install a chair railing?

[David DeCristoforo]

There are three "possible" answers.

A) Between 32" and 36" from the floor to the center line of the molding. ("Typical")
B) At the height of the backs of your chairs. ("Practical")
C) 1/3 the distance from the floor to the ceiling ("Decorative")

[Chip Lindley]

32" height chair rail was evidently derrived from cutting 4x8 panelling into 1/3's! That looks a little *Elfish* to me! (might be nice for a child's room, tho!) I cheated, and set 32" tall paneling above a 3" strip of scrap panelling at the floor (hidden by baseboard moulding) to raise the panelling height to 35". Then chair rail was applied to the top edge, bringing height to about 37". Nice!

Chair rail/wainscot panelling looks best to me at about 42"! Two pieces of bead board panelling from a 4x8 sheet with 12" scrap!

Of course, if you are using solid wood t&g wainscot, or applying chair rail only, with no panelling to consider, put it at the height that appeals to you most!

[bill mullin]

For a long time, we put it at 34"(from finished floor) for 8' ceilings. Now, with predominantly 9-10' ceilings, I set it at 36" min, sometimes up to 40" if the customer desires.

[glen box]

I settled for 38" to the center of the rail.

[Von Bickley]

I think it depends on what the homeowner wants. The bottom of my chair rail is 38.5" and I have 9 ft. ceilings. Looks good to me....... :)

[Tom Veatch]

The "golden ratio" height would be 38.2% of the wall height from the floor (36 5/8" for an 8' ceiling) which is pretty close to Dave's 1/3 suggestion.