dado
10 years ago No Comments

(pronounced DAY-dough)

No, not Play-Doh, but a very weird and confusing word nevertheless. It can mean a few things. That’s why it’s so confusing…

  1. The most common use of the word is to describe the middle portion of ornamental and protective paneling (regardless of material, i.e. wood, stone, etc.) placed on the lower portion of a wall. This is more commonly referred to as wainscoting.
  2. You will also see dado to name the middle part of a pedestal between the plinth (one of our favorite words!) and the top cap.
  3. Lastly, the word dado can be used as a type of joint between piece of wood (or stone). It’s a rectangular groove cut across the piece to allow it to receive the end of the adjoining piece. It’s this meaning that the image below represents.

See also: joinery

dado