BeJane.com, December 10th, 2006
Ask Jane: A Finishing Touch – How to Install Pre-finished Molding
Dear Jane,
I do a lot of entertaining and love the detailed look of new baseboards (trim) in a room. Is it hard to install or do I have to call a professional?
Thanks,
- Stella G.
Dear Stella,
We know exactly what you mean – the look of baseboard molding can add so much to any room of the house. The good news is that this is definitely a do-it-yourself project, but it does take a little effort. With the right tools you can do this project in less than a day. (Depending of course on how many rooms you are doing.) To make it even easier, we recommend you consider using pre-finished molding. Simply cut, mount and fill in the gaps. Here’s how you can add that classy look to your home.
Step 1
First, measure the room to get an estimate of how much baseboard molding you need. Molding is sold by length, so it's best to know this before heading to the home improvement store. A rule of thumb is to buy at least 10% more than you think you need. Leftover pieces can always be used for cutting practice, future repairs or mistakes.
Step 2
Using a putty knife or pry bar and a little leverage, remove any existing baseboards. Use a shim between the wall and the drywall to prevent causing any damage.
Step 3
If you are planning to paint your baseboards, you will want to prime and paint them before you begin the installation process. This is much easier to complete before the baseboards are up on the walls!
Step 4
Now, remember to follow the adage: measure twice, cut once. Put on your safety glasses and head to the miter saw. You can use either a Power Compound Miter Saw or a combination Miter Box and Back Saw to make your mitered (angled) cuts. Begin by first verifying the angle of each cut and if using a Miter Saw be sure the trim is flush against the saw's guide before making the cut. If you're creating compound cuts or cuts at odd angles, you may want to make some test cuts on scrap or leftover trim. For outside corner angles (they jut out instead of turning in), called a miter joint, cut the wood at opposite 45 degree angles, so that they will fit together. A coping joint is a corner that turns inward. If your corners are a little imperfect, you can always shape the wood with a file or fill gaps with caulk once you put them in place.
Step 5
Dry fit the pieces in place on the wall, making sure the length, angles and joints are perfect. Expect a little imperfection at the corners – after all, no walls are perfectly straight. You’ll be able to fill in any gaps in a moment.
Step 6
Time to put the pieces in for real. A helper really comes in handy here. One of you can hold the trim piece steady as the other uses the nail gun to fasten it to the wall. To install your new baseboards, you'll want to begin in the corner on the wall opposite the door and attach a nail about every 6-10 inches.
Step 7
Fill in any gaps with paintable caulk making sure to wipe away as much excess as possible. Let it dry and then sand those areas and touch them up with your choice of paint color.
Hope this helps!
Hugs n’ hammers,
Jane
For detailed project information and more great project ideas, visit www.BeJane.com.
