In cities such as Bath, England, the dado rail has been used in architecture to imply parts of the classical order.
"[2] Modern trends have been towards 36 inches (910 mm),[3] based on the assumption that its purpose is to protect the wall from chair backs.
The purpose of the rail in these cases may be protective, and it is common in environments where walls are subject to much wear and tear, such as shopping centres and hospitals.
The dado rail is a decorative and functional architectural element that is designed to divide the wall into distinct sections and protect it from furniture or other potential sources of wear and tear.
For homeowners seeking precision, tools like dado rail height calculators can assist in determining optimal placement.