But when the dust (and fiberglass) settles, you'll enjoy a fatter bank account and more comfortable indoor temps year-round. To determine the amount of baseboard material you need, measure each straight section of the wall and round up to the nearest whole-foot dimension divisible by two. Prior to installation, use a putty knife or paint scraper to clean excess material from the wall and floor. Do the same thing at the next mark. Mark the same way. Start running baseboard against inside corners and work toward outside corners. Tip: Studs are usually placed 16 inches on-center, so after locating the first one you may be able to locate others using a tape measure. "Plinth" is an architectural term used to describe a support for a column or base. All rights reserved. Fit one end of the board snugly against the inside corner (or casing), and at the other end draw a vertical line up the back of the board, using the edge of the outside corner to guide the pencil. Number the back of each board and write that same number on the wall where the board will go. Whereas a coped joint is recommended for inside corners, a mitered joint is appropriate for outside corners. Set a compound miter saw to 45 degrees and cut each miter just outside of the line. That way, the carpet installer will be able to tuck the carpet edges beneath your trim. Baseboards were often three-piece affairs consisting of a flat plank, a decorative cap molding, and a rounded shoe molding to cover gaps along the floor. Sometimes Tom will get lucky and locate the profile he needs from the 100 or so that good millwork shops keep in stock. ), Test the fit by butting a square-cut piece of molding against the coped edge of your baseboard, making any necessary adjustments with your saw or. In houses built after World War II, however, fancy gave way to cheap, and the vital floor-to-wall transition became the domain of thin, featureless one-piece trim. The baseboard trim is now ready to be primed and painted. Measure and cut the baseboards for each wall. It should be easy, right? Set your compass points to span the vertical distance between the chalk line and either of the board's top corners. What Style of Baseboard Should I Install? A baseboard installation usually requires two or more different types of cuts for the different corner joints where the mating pieces meet. If you’ve ever tried to install baseboard on your own, then you would probably agree that looks can be deceiving. For a clean mitered corner, it’s a good idea to cut your baseboard about 1/16–inch longer than necessary. When starting from scratch, Tom Silva prefers the look of a base that's at least 6 inches high and ½ to ¾ inches thick, topped with a separate, deeply profiled cap molding. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. Snap a chalk line between the marks around the perimeter of the room to show where the top edge of all the baseboards should land when they're installed. Tip: "You want to cut next to the line marking the joint," says Tom. Using the top of this baseboard piece as a benchmark, make horizontal marks every few feet at the same level on the walls around the room. Installing Baseboard Next to Door Casings. Running baseboard is also good for perfecting carpentry skills. Place the boards back on the wall and drive two 8d finish nails into the wall on each side of the miter. « How to Remove Wood Scratches on Furniture and Kitchen Cabinets, Installing a Staircase Handrail at My Basement Stairs ». By Joe Provey and Bob Vila. Photo: diynetwork.com. Where two caps meet on a long wall, make a scarf joint as described in Step 8. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. Secure it at each stud with an 8d nail driven at a slight downward angle through the thicker parts of the molding. Measure and cut the baseboards for each wall. Doing so ensures a tight fit by enabling you to “spring” the next board into position. STEP 8: Attached the Quarter Round (Also Known as Shoe Molding). Remove the marked board and place the one that will make up the miter's other half against the adjacent wall. If not, move the level across the floor to find its lowest point. Despite their lowly position along the floor, baseboards are one of a house's defining features. To make sure an outside miter joint stays tight, connect the two halves with glue and Number 10 compressed-wood biscuits. It will look something like this: with one end butted up against the door casing. Making a new baseboard the same height as the original isn't difficult; finding a cap molding with the same profile can be, especially on an old house. Sometimes he'll combine two or more of those moldings to create a shape that is close. Place both boards back against the wall and examine the joint. Using a utility knife, file, or sander, trim the pointed edges left by the miter cut to help prevent slips. Tip: Beveling the board's bottom edge makes it much easier to scribe-fit. Between these nails, drive a 4d finish nail through the joint and into the end grain of the opposite piece. Glue and overlap the miters, then nail through the piece that covers the joint (not through the joint itself) and into the stud. Copyright © 2020 This Old House Ventures, LLC. At that point, tack a scrap piece of baseboard to the wall with a nail. In this review, we’ll help you find the right holiday gift for your carpenter by detailing 15 of the best carpentry tools and accessories available on Amazon. What Tools Are Needed to Install Baseboard? Installing Baseboard Only to an Edge Tap nail heads below the wood surface with a nail set. With a circular saw set for a 2- to 5-degree bevel, cut alongside the scribe line so the face of the cut will be on the side toward the wall. Then remove the boards, set the biscuit joiner perpendicular to the cut face, and adjust the depth of its fence so the cut will be nearer to the back side of the boards. Make a square cut at both ends. Disclosure: BobVila.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for publishers to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. To avoid marking the wood, use a nail set to drive the heads just below the wood surface. In this toilet repair how-to video, This Old House plumbing and heating contractor Richard Trethewey shows how to clear stubborn toilet clogs. You agree that BobVila.com may process your data in the manner described by our Privacy Policy. STEP 10: Touch Up the Nail Holes and Caulk With Paint. Sand all the mitered corners lightly with fine sandpaper to remove any sharp edges.