Treated fiberboard can help complete the look of your bathroom.
Wainscoting is a type of interior decor that dates back to the 1300s. This style of wall finishing consists of decorative boards that cover the lower section of the walls, as well as molding and trim along the top and bottom. Fiberboard is a common material for wainscoting, although you should use a specific variety for your bathrooms and other areas that are subject to moisture and high humidity.
Purpose
Wainscoting can help add an artful composition to your bathroom design, especially if the rest of your home contains this style of wall decor. Wainscoting in your bathroom can also help provide depth and texture to plain walls. This extra covering along the bottom portion of your walls may also help protect the underlying wall surface from wear and moisture.
Wainscoting Materials
Original wainscoting material usually consisted of solid boards made from hardwood trees. Today, plywood, fiberboard and plastic provide the ordinary materials for this type of wall covering. Medium-density fiberboard, or MDF, is the most common type of fiberboard for use as a wainscoting material. Fiberboard consists of milled and pressed wood that lacks a natural wood grain appearance. Ingredients in fiberboard include various woods, recycled paper and glue.
Moisture Resistance
Basic fiberboard can absorb moisture, making it unsuitable for areas with frequent exposure to high humidity, such as bathrooms. Untreated fiberboard can absorb moisture, causing it to warp and buckle. Bathrooms require a special type of treated medium-density fiberboard that resists moisture. When selecting the fiberboard for your bathroom, look for specially treated MDF panels that are labeled for use in bathrooms. This type of fiberboard comes in sizes and designs similar to nontreated fiberboard, allowing you to match the decor of your bathroom with the wainscoting in the rest of your house.
Installation
Moisture damage is one of the most important considerations when installing treated fiberboard in your bathroom. Although specially treated MDF can withstand a high level of humidity, it may also trap moisture against the underlying wall. Protect your underlying walls by applying the treated fiberboard over finished wallboard or gypsum board. Attach molding along the top section of the fiberboard and attach baseboards along the bottom portion to help discourage moisture accumulation behind the wainscoting.
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