Articles By Syndicated Columnist
Dan Thomas
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Improvement Inside And Out
Installing Baseboards
Overview:
Lay out the top of the baseboard and use a level to
ensure your molding does
not appear off kilter. Measure the length of the first piece and then mark the
wall to indicate the location of each stud. you may want to use a stud finder to
help in finding the studs. You’ll then cut the first molding to length. Lean
the baseboard against the wall and mark the stud locations along the baseboard.
Place the molding by pushing it against the wall. Once it is in place, nail the
board to the wall.
Tools Required:
- Claw Nail Hammer
- Tape Measure 25 Ft.
- Strait-line 100 Ft. Chalk Line
- StudSensor OneStep Electronic Stud Finder with
CenterVision and AC WireWarning ( this is best no need to worry
about wiring )
- 12 In. Mitre Box With Saw
- Nail Set
- 24 In. Level
- Coping Saw
- Carpenter's Glue 400Ml
- Caulking Gun
Materials Required:
- Baseboard Of Your Choice
- Quarter Round
- 8d Nails
- 300 ml White Dynaflex 230 Prem. Elastomeric
Latex Sealant
- Nail Hole Filler
Step 1
LAY OUT THE TOP OF THE BASEBOARD
Lay out the top of the baseboard. Don't count on the floor being level. It
may be, but if it's not, the molding can look out of kilter when you look at the
chair rail or the windows immediately above it. Play it safe: Attach a line
level to a chalk line, level the line, and then remove the level before snapping
a level chalk line on each wall.
Step 2
MEASURE LENGTH OF THE FIRST PIECE
When you're measuring between two walls, put the tape measure tight against
each wall and read the
measurement to the nearest sixteenth. Write the
measurement on the wall and add in the length of the tape measure body—3
inches in this case. For a tight fit I add another 1/16 inch to any
measurement over 8 feet, and 1/8 inch to any piece over 12 feet.
Step 3
MARK STUD LOCATIONS ON THE WALL
Mark the wall to show where the studs are. Find the studs with a stud
finder, and mark their location on the wall in an area that will be covered by
the baseboard.
Step 4
CUT THE FIRST MOLDING TO LENGTH
Cut the first molding to length. The first molding that you install is
square on both ends. Check your measurement on the wall, and make sure you add
in the extra required for long pieces. Cut a piece to this length, cutting it
square on both ends.
Step 5
MARK BASEBOARD TO SHOW STUD LOCATIONS
Mark the baseboard to show stud locations. Lean the baseboard against the
wall, and make a mark on it at each stud location. Marking the baseboard
instead of the wall means you won't have marks on the wall that you'll have to
paint over.
Step 6
FIRST MOLDING INTO PLACE
Put the first molding into place. Put the molding against the wall. If
you've added either % inch or 1/16 inch for a tight
fight, put an end in its corner and flex the molding until it fits against
the other corner. Once both ends are in place, push the center of the molding
against the wall.
Step 7
NAIL THE BASEBOARD TO THE WALL
Nail the baseboard to the wall. Drive two 8d nails at each stud. The first
should be 3/4 to 1 inch off the floor, so that it will hit the framing that
runs along the floor. Drive the second nail closer to the top of the molding
and into the stud.
