Cutting and Installing Baseboard Trim

Cutting and Installing Baseboard Trim

Cutting and Installing Baseboard Trim

Anyone who has tried cutting and installing baseboard trim knows that it can be a difficult task. However, like most DIY tasks, there are tricks that will help. By learning a few guidelines and understanding how to cut baseboard trim properly, the costly mistakes of an improperly cut section of baseboard trim will be eliminated.

Angles

Trim of all types including baseboard requires exact measurements. There are different angled cuts for each type of corner. One simple trick is to cut your baseboard at least two inches longer than needed. This allows a bit of play room for angled cuts if needed. The corners in older homes tend to have odd angled corners. Allowing a few extra inches will provide a margin of safety for any discrepancies of the wall, floor or the angle of a corner.

Measuring

Before cutting baseboard trim, you need to place the wood against the wall and draw a line in pencil on the back of the trim board to indicate the corner. If the corner is a 90-degree angle, set the miter saw at 46 degrees. This is a very effective trick to cutting molding and trim so that it fits properly.

Cutting

It is important to cut the board next to your pencil mark and not cutting on the pencil mark. If you cut on the mark, the trim will not fit properly and may need to be replaced. With the finished side of the trim board toward you, make a 46 degree cut. Repeat on the matching section of trim. Occasionally these cuts will need to be adjusted to ensure a proper fit. It is easier to shave some off an improperly fitting piece than it is to add it back.

Other Angles

Not all corners are 90 degrees. Some corners are 45 degrees and others are in-between these sizes. By using the one-degree-above-half when making cuts a tight fit will be ensured. Cutting baseboard trim for a 45-degree corner would require a 22.5-degree cut. The equation is:

The angle of the corner divided in half, plus one added to that amount.

Installing Trim Board

Use the correct type of nails when installing trim board. Nails that are too big can crack the trim board and be unsightly. Too-small nails will not hold the trim board tightly to the wall or at the corner where two pieces meet. If you are unsure as to what type of nails are needed, you can ask a hardware dealer, construction contractor or ask online from many do-it-yourself websites. Often trim boards will bow outwards when pressed into place. If you have measured properly and the cuts made were precise, a gentle push will pop the trim board into place allowing it to be properly secured.

Installing and cutting baseboard trim does not need to be complicated. Patience and precise measuring combined with a few tricks will allow a do-it-yourself professional-looking installation.

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