Dado is a typical architectural element that gives space proportion and connection and sets expectations for a viewer. Dadoing is a term used in carpentry and woodworking, and dado refers to a rectangular groove that is cut into the surface of a piece of wood. This groove is used to join two pieces of wood together to form a strong, flush joint.
To make a dado joint, a special type of saw, such as a dado blade for a table saw, is typically used to make the grooves. Alternatively, a router or a hand saw can also be used to make the dado grooves. Regardless of the tool used, it’s important to measure and mark the dado location accurately and to make precise cuts to ensure a tight and snug fit.
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Dadoing: Are dado rails Victorian?
Dining chairs were frequently left pulled up against the walls during the Georgian era, and a dado rail protected the pricey wall covering from damage. The dado saw a rebirth as a purely aesthetic element near the end of the Victorian era since styles had changed and dado rails were less often used. Since most dado is not strictly Victorian but is most associated with the Victorian era, which was also characterised by an expanding middle class and an increase in home construction (by 1911, 79% of the population resided in newly built towns), the majority of dado will be found coming from this time period.
Dadoing: What use does a dado rail serve?
Dado rails are often installed on the wall around one metre from the ground; however, they can be placed higher or lower depending on the height of the ceiling. This measurement often corresponds to the height at which chair backs would touch a wall. However, the dado rail’s initial height was determined by the pedestal height of a classical order column, which was around one-fifth the room’s height. On the theory that the dado’s function is to shield the wall from chair backs, more recent trends have been to raise the dado height. For this reason, dado rails are frequently referred to as “chair rails.”
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Dado rails are frequently used in all reception rooms, the hall, the landing, and stairs, as well as occasionally in kitchens and bathrooms, but not frequently in bedrooms.
Here are some common ways in which dado joints are used in construction:
Shelving: Dado joints are commonly used for shelving and bookshelves. The dado groove is cut into the sides of the shelves to receive the uprights, which are then glued and screwed into place.
Cabinet Making: Dado joints are also commonly used in cabinet making. The grooves in the cabinet sides and back receive the cabinet bottom and back panels, creating a strong and stable structure.
Furniture Making: Dado joints are also used in furniture making, such as for building a dresser or a chest of drawers. The grooves in the sides of the drawers receive the drawer fronts, creating a flush and seamless appearance.
Dadoing: Can dado rails be manufactured from something other than wood?
Yes, dado rails can be manufactured from materials other than wood. While wood is the most traditional and common material used for dado rails, there are alternatives such as:
PVC or vinyl: PVC or vinyl dado rails are a popular alternative to wood as they are durable, moisture-resistant and easy to maintain. They are also available in a wide range of colours and finishes.
Metal: Dado rails can also be manufactured from metal, such as aluminium or stainless steel. Metal dado rails are strong, durable and resistant to fire, making them suitable for high-traffic areas.
Composite materials: Dado rails can be made from composite materials such as MDF, engineered wood, or fibreglass-reinforced plastic. These materials offer the benefits of wood, such as affordability and ease of workability, but are more resistant to moisture and warping.
Ultimately, the choice of material for dado rails depends on personal preference and the requirements of the specific application.
Dadoing: Where may Victorian ceramic dado border tiles be used?
Dado rails are frequently carried over into the kitchen, bathrooms, porches, and other tiled parts of the home. These dado tiles were created to match the pattern of the wall tiles and to mimic the shapes of wooden dados. A complete set of ceramic wall tiles is frequently chosen to match the other walls in the house. In other words, you would begin with a skirting tile at the bottom, go on to plain or patterned, single or multicoloured tiles, occasionally with 3D relief motifs, and conclude with a dado tile at dado height. Egg and dart tiles are frequently used in plain tile areas to add visual interest.
These would be chosen for porches in bold colours and frequently with eye-catching motifs. Something more subdued, in a white or off-white, might be selected for kitchens and sculleries. In addition to ceramic glazed tiles, tiles with dado profiles are also available in travertine and marble, for example, for use in bathrooms.
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Dadoing: Dado rails in modern decor
In non-traditional interiors without any connection to historical elements, dado rails may also be added to a wall for the same protective function. This kind of utilisation is typical in settings like retail malls and hospitals where walls see heavy wear and tear. In these situations, the rail’s height is frequently 1200 mm or even 1500 mm from the floor, and its purpose is practical rather than decorative.
Dadoing: Using dado with wainscot or wall panelling
Wall panelling is a different wall covering that is frequently finished with a dado rail. Due to the affordability of MDF wall panelling kits in terms of cost and convenience of purchasing, this is growing in popularity. Compared to the oak ones, they are inexpensive to acquire, fast, and simple to install. These wall panelling kits come in a variety of styles, but the open-backed panels with visible plaster walls inside the squares or rectangles the panelling is constructed around are the most common options. The variants that are 800 mm high are ideal for using skirting boards underneath the panelling and the dado rail on top.
Around 1.1 metres is the appropriate finishing height for these three parts. The skirting, panelling, plastered wall behind it, and the dado all appear to be one piece after being painted, even though they are actually constructed of three distinct materials and four separate parts. These are excellent at imitating pricey Victorian timber wall panelling, and they look particularly gorgeous when painted in a deep, rich colour of blue or grey.
FAQs
What is a dado joint?
A dado joint is a type of woodworking joinpiece t that involves cutting a groove into the surface of a piece of wood and joining it with another that fits into the groove.
What is the purpose of a dado joint?
The purpose of a dado joint is to provide a strong, stable connection between two pieces of wood and to distribute weight evenly along the joint.
What tools are required to make a dado joint?
To cut a dado joint, you need to first determine the size of the groove you need to make. Then, you can adjust the dado blade on your table saw to the desired width and make the cuts in the piece of wood.
Can a dado joint be used for a visible joint?
Yes, a dado joint can be used for a visible joint if it is properly finished and the pieces fit together snugly.
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