How To Install Baseboards

Whenever you install baseboards there are a few things that will help you do it more efficiently and give you a perfect finish every time. There are a few tools that you will want to make sure you have before you begin installing. An 18 gauge brad nailer whether air powered or battery powered will speed up your process significantly. It is possible to install baseboards with just finish nails and a hammer, but that will take some time. The next tool that I like to have with me while installing is CA glue, an instant adhesive with activator. A coping saw is also a big tool that makes this job easier. This is great for returns, splices,and outside corners. I also like to have a 23 gauge pin nailer, but it isn’t necessary. Depending on the state of your floors you may need a jig saw for scribing the baseboards to the floor if there is a high spot on the floor. The most important tool is obviously the miter saw, this is a near necessity to complete baseboards in anytype of timely manner. 

Once you’ve assembled your tools it’s time to start making your cuts. In your typical room you will have 4 inside 90 degree corners. You will also have at least one doorway that should have casing on it. I like to start with the longest wall and take the measurement of that wall. Use your tape measure and push one end against one wall and take the other end to the opposite corner. You can either bend the tape and look at where the tape measure hits the corner to get the measurement or each tape measure has the measurement of the tape measure’s length so you can just put the back of the tape measure into the corner. You would then add the length you see on the tape measure with the measurement that is written on the tape measure and that would be your length from corner to corner. 

When you finally get your measurement cut the first piece to the length with straight cuts on both ends. If your floor is flat then you should be able to just nail your baseboard in place. Use 2 inch brad nails and be sure you nail the bottom of the baseboard where the bottom plate is, and using a magnet or stud finder find your vertical studs and shoot your nails into the studs through the baseboard. Once you’ve installed the first piece you can then take measurements for the next wall. Make sure you measure wall to wall not wall to baseboard, you will do a straight cut on the wall that is empty and will turn your saw to 45 degrees and cut from your mark to the inside of the baseboard (an inside 45). Once this piece is cut use your coping saw to cope your inside corner. If you’re using primed material it makes this process easier because you will essentially be cutting the visible wood and leaving everything that is primed. Use the coping saw for the decorative portions and a jig saw for the thicker portions of the piece. This will then allow you to slide the baseboard against the 1st baseboard and it should result in a tight joint. You will repeat this process for any inside corner. 

For outside corners the process is simple: cut one piece at 45 degrees from left to right, then cut the other piece in the opposite direction. When taking measurements take them from the wall to the corner and mark your material in that spot. Then when you cut make sure you cut from that spot going in the opposite direction. That is the inside part of the miter. Pin nails or CA glue will help hold that outside corner together. Once you get your baseboards in be sure to caulk the seams, fill the nail holes, and paint the baseboards with quality trim paint.   Thank you for reading this article, watch the video for more visuals and information. Please like and subscribe so you can stay up to date on the latest from Crafted In Florida. You can also follow us on any of the social media platforms for short and long form clips @Crafted_In_Florida on YouTube, Instagram, Tik Tok, and Crafted In Florida on Facebook.