There’s a better option out there! Install the First Piece. Guess again! Get a professional, polished look and prevent dirt from collecting on a floor by installing floor molding. Of course, the baseboard installation cost s will depend on many factors.. What’s a Baseboard? Buy paint-primed baseboard if possible, as this will save you a step at installation. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Trim the board along the penciled line. If one end is an outside corner, place a square-cut end in the inside corner and then mark the other end in place for cutting a miter at the outside corner. Last Updated: April 21, 2020 The paint on your wall isn't meaningfully holding the baseboard to the wall. Cap and shoe molding are both essentially ornamental, but one is important to put down if you're re-doing your floors. Step 5: Install the Baseboards. This article was co-authored by Mark Spelman. 2.1 - Cut the first length of baseboard 1/16 " longer than … Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Add style and a finished look with decorative baseboards. To nail the baseboards, first use your stud finder to locate the wall studs, and then mark the locations with your pencil. Some of the most reviewed baseboard are the Woodgrain Millwork WM 623 9/16 in. Basic labor to install baseboard with favorable site conditions. Hammer it in place with a few finish nails, keeping the heads exposed. How to Install Baseboard Moulding With Tight Corners. x 3-1/4 in. Attaching baseboards to stairs can be tricky; therefore, be certain of the lengths and measurements before you cut the actual baseboards.” Source: How To Install Baseboards On Wood Stairs Next, lay the other baseboard molding (that will join the one already in place) face-down on the floor. 2. A chair rail is an elegant way to add a finished look and a warm feel to any room. Remember, the wider (or taller, depending on your perspective) the baseboard is, … A little bit of wood glue will help those outside corners stick together better. Read on for another quiz question. If possible, cut and situate the two boards so that the scarf joint can be secured to the wall at a stud location. For a carpet, you'd want to install baseboards first, and then tuck and secure the carpet underneath them. If you don’t have studs close enough to the edge of your paneling, see the FAQ below. Installing the Baseboard and Finishing Up. This article has been viewed 843,266 times. Use Josh Temple's tips to install functional and stylish baseboards. In order to keep the wall behind your baseboards from getting damaged, you should use a pry bar to loosen the boards before you remove them. Here’s the thing about installing baseboard moulding: When you’re running baseboard, especially if it is an ornate style, it can be challenging to make the inside corners fit precisely. Shoe molding typically is attached to the baseboard, although with hardwood floors, some prefer to attach it to the floor to avoid having gaps open up later between the molding and the floor. Pro tip: After a few cuts and test fits, you'll find the right angle. Short Walls. This article was co-authored by Mark Spelman. He has been a construction professional since 1987. Where do I measure and mark my cut on the baseboard? No worries, ‘DIY Advice‘ shows us how to install baseboards, and it is easy. Use a table saw or a jigsaw to cut along the scribed line on the baseboard. Square Up Outside Corners. Ornate Baseboard. 7. Cutting the paint with a utility knife means that the baseboards won't exert any force on the paint, and the paint won't chip. 2.3 - Drive in a first nail, ¾" to 1" off the floor, into the plate or bottom supporting structure of the wall. Yup! Baseboards vary from a simple 1-inch-high round shoe molding to 6 inches high, with finishes ranging from plain to a sloped, grooved or rounded design. Number the back of each board and write that same number on the wall where the board will go. Prep Work: Measure, Number and Mark Photo by Craig Raine. References Use caulk along the top of baseboards to fill the crack between the baseboard and the wall (Image 2). To make a coped joint, butt one piece of baseboard flush against the wall at a 90-degree angle (as in the previous step). Move the pencil across the entire distance of the baseboard to trace an outline. Try again! Connect the pieces of trim together again. When measuring outside corners, be sure to add additional room to your measurements to allow for outside corners. Learn how to install crown molding with easy step-by-step instructions and video. Two-piece molding, baseboard molding with "shoe molding," is ideal for rooms with hardwood or tile flooring. Bring your board in and set your board in place. Steps on How to Install Baseboard 1. In a new construction, are baseboards installed in before or after the floor is laid? Research source. "Well narrated, kept it simple and moving along. Cap molding, which goes around the top of the baseboard, is mostly only used on walls with wainscoting. 2.1 - Cut the first length of baseboard 1/16 " longer than the wall. Try using additional tape to help hold the pieces together until dry. Cut and install the first piece along the wall. Use wood filler (Image 1) to fill in holes and gaps in baseboards. First, plan to install your longest runs or walls first. To save money, I will install all baseboards and door casings for my house. Baseboards, also known as skirting board or mopboard, is a board, usually wooden, that is installed to cover the lowest part of the walls inside a home/building. With the tape applied, place wood glue in between the pieces and fold. Measure, mark and cut the new molding. How to Install Baseboards. To create the scarf joint in the middle, place the first board in place and mark a 45-degree cut at a stud location. Baseboard trim provides a polished and finished look to any room, as well as protecting the walls from damage and invading insects. Research source In addition to the clean and modern look, I think it will be easier to make butt joints for inside and outside corners. It depends on the floor type. Baseboards definitely are easy to install. Would it be easier to paint the boards first before installing them? When it comes to budgeting, the style of the molding and the material it … If you’re installing 1×4 trim (rough lumber, cedar, primed mdf, pine – any kind of straight board), you’re in the right place! Length to 16 ft. Method 1 - Tape and Wood Glue: Simply align the three pieces in the way they will go on the corner. 1. Patch and smooth nail holes and if painting caulk edge gaps. Then, use that setting on your saw to cut your trim. We share everything you need to know when choosing and installing baseboard trim. Let's get together. But before you start kneeling on the floor, buy a good pair of knee pads or place a piece of carpet or foam beneath your knees. The miter joint should fit tightly together with no appreciable gap between pieces. % of people told us that this article helped them. With over 30 years of construction experience, Mark specializes in constructing interiors, project management, and project estimation. Fill in these gaps with paintable caulk, allow the caulk to dry thoroughly before adding another coat. Watch a video with Amy Matthews' tips and check out step-by-step instructions. For quarter round, use 5/8ths if you have baseboards that are already nailed in. Baseboards are a lovely finishing touch in every home. When you encounter the doorway, measure the distance between the door casing and the wall. Includes planning, equipment and material acquisition, area preparation and protection, setup and cleanup.