![]() In these cases, use the tape measure to mark the wall 10 inches from the corner. Since boards running from inside corner to inside corner are impossible to mark in place, measuring is necessary. Use the painter’s multitool to scrape any residual caulk off the walls, and tap any loose drywall back in place with the hammer. While this method works well for most every situation, for those working with period-correct moldings in historic homes, scribing the bottom of the baseboard may be necessary. Use the level to continue this mark around the room. Place the level on top of this scrap piece and draw a light, level mark out from the corner. However, slopes less than or equal to that measurement are easier to handle.įind the highest corner and place a scrap piece of baseboard against the wall. STEP 2: Determine if your floor is level.įloors that slope more than ¾ of an inch from one corner to the other can be challenging when installing baseboards. It may be necessary to separate several boards at a time, particularly in the corners where coped joint or miters might prevent removing the board. Pull the pry bar towards yourself to separate the baseboard from the wall without punching holes in the drywall. Then, slide the pry bar behind the baseboard from the top down. Otherwise, score along the top of the baseboard with a utility knife to cut through the caulk. If the room is newly constructed, skip this step. Either way, it’s important to make sure the surfaces are clean and accurate measurements are taken to ensure an excellent finished look. ![]() Installing baseboard in a new room or a room that doesn’t have any baseboard is a little easier than replacing existing baseboard. Do everything you can to make the baseboard trim fit tightly, but when you can’t, it’s okay to fill small gaps with caulk prior to priming and paint. ![]() Construction adhesive helps secure the fit, too. Greater flexibility means greater success when trying to fit the baseboard snugly against an uneven wall. ![]() Standard 3/8-inch baseboard is a lot more flexible than 3/4 or 5/8.To speed the work (and avoid unsightly hammer marks), buy or rent a finish nail gun in combination with a compressor, or use a cordless finish nailer.Prior to installation, use a putty knife or paint scraper to clean excess material from the wall and floor.Tips and Tricks for Installing Baseboard With these boards cut slightly long, the carpenter marks the board in place or simply makes repeated cuts until the board fits snugly, using the actual space in which the board will fit for reference. Measurements can be rough, and slightly over length to give the carpenter something to work with. But, for instances like boards running between inside corners, measuring is a necessary evil. When it comes to trim carpentry, the less measuring you do, the better. This results in a very tight, clean gap.Ī mitered corner might be ideal for an outside corner, but an inside corner joint will be better formed if you cope the profile of one baseboard to fit snugly against the contours of its mate. “Coping” means using a special handsaw to cut and shape one piece of trim to fit over the profile of the other piece. Inside corners can be especially tricky to pull off. The following are some of the most important considerations to keep in mind when cutting baseboard corners. Also, finish carpentry is one of the most difficult aspects of home improvement to truly master. Before You BeginĪs with any DIY project, there are some things that are worth knowing about finish carpentry before diving in. Keep reading to find out what you need to know to achieve a professional looking baseboard installation. All too often a DIY baseboard installation is compromised by gaps or ill-fitting joints, resulting from walls that aren’t flat, floors that aren’t level, or corners that aren’t square. If you’ve ever tried to install baseboards on your own, you’ll probably agree that looks can be deceiving. Installing new trim should be easy, right? Just measure the boards, cut the miters, and nail the trim in place.
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