Installing Floor Molding

Lengths of scrap baseboard and put 45 degree angles on the ends.

Installing floor molding.

When you get to an outside corner set the first piece to that it extends past the outside corner. If not move the level across the floor to find its lowest point. Employ the same methods for outside and inside corners scarf and butt joints on the moulding. Tack the shoe molding down into the floor with pin nails.

Once the paint has dried it s time to install the molding. Mark it where it will meet the other piece of the outside corner by setting your try square or combination square against the surface of the wall it meets. In addition to allowing endless possibilities for customization smaller moldings are easier to cut and install than large moldings and allow more flexibility on wavy or irregular walls. Tack the cap molding into studs wherever possible.

Nail the floor trim to the studs and then tack the braces to the trim with 1 in brads. Nail it at an angle so that the nail goes downward into the wood. At that point tack a scrap piece of baseboard to the wall with a nail. Set a 4 foot level on the floor next to the wall to see if the floor is level.

Cut the base shoe a quarter round molding that goes at the bottom of the base molding to length and attach it with a finish nailer. If you see some cut a few braces from 4 to 6 in. Miter the corners as with the base molding. If you have concrete floors you will need to tack it into the baseboard.

You ll save time and protect your knees if you completely finish baseboard trim pieces before installing it on the walls. Coped molding gives the tightest fit best a. When installing trim such as baseboard and crown molding master craftspeople use this method and you can too. First hold the base molding against the wall after you cut it to length and look for gaps.

The builders knew the advantages of combining small wood moldings. Install shoe molding and cap molding if necessary. Continue to measure cut and install the baseboard molding around the room. Caulk along the top edge and corner edges and nail holes.

The nails won t hold if they re driven straight into the polystyrene molding. Plus you can often achieve a great effect for less money by combining small wood moldings.