How to Install Baseboards
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
After I discussed How to Install Bamboo Flooring, I realized I probably shouldn't leave you hanging on how to install your baseboards.If you install bamboo, or just about any hardwood flooring, you'll more than likely need to install new baseboards. If you were able to carefully remove your original baseboards and they're in relatively good shape, you're lucky... it doesn't happen very often.
Baseboards need to be replaced when you go from carpet to hardwoods. Or when you go from a thick or thin hardwood to different size. The new flooring is going to go close to the wall and those old baseboards might be in the way (or too high up.)
What You'll Need:
- New baseboards, of course. Measure out the length of each wall and add those up. That will be the amount of linear feet you'll need to buy. Having some extra is always a good idea, in case you have problems or issues with length.
- Finishing nails. Depending on how thick your baseboards are, and how thick your drywall is, you'll most likely need nails that are 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches long. For my baseboards that I used with the bamboo flooring, the recommended length was 2 inches.
- Stud finder
- Mitre Saw
- Hammer
- Nail set
- Wood filler
- Sandpaper
- Paint
I purchased a primed fiberboard base for my room. You can buy un-primed wood or fiberboard and prime it yourself, as well. I recommend that you paint (or prime and paint) the baseboards before you install them. It's easier to do and means less of a chance that you'll accidentally paint your new floors or walls.
Measure your first wall. I started on the wall with the door entrance. I left one side at a 90 degree angle and this would butt up against the molding on the door. Measure out the entire length of that wall where it stops in a corner. At this corner, you'll want to use the mitre saw to cut a 45 degree angle.
Use the stud finder to find the wood studs underneath. At each stud, 16 inches apart, pound a finish nail through the baseboard and into the wall. Don't worry about pounding it down flush with the baseboard -- you could damage it.
On the next wall, measure and cut your baseboard. This time, you'll have a 45 degree angle on both ends. Use the stud finder and place your nails. Continue around your room until all your baseboards are installed.If you get to a really long wall, longer than your baseboard length, you have two options:
- Cut a 90 degree butt joint and put the two baseboards together on the wall. It's hard to match them up and it may not look good. You'll see that seam in there just about every time.
- Cut a 45 degree angle where the bevel faces you. On the opposite baseboard, cut another 45 degree angle where the bevel faces your wall. This is a scarf joint. Those two 45 degree angles should match up to each other. Glue them together with wood glue. You can then put a nail in on both boards to hold them to the wall. A little filler, sanding, and paint and the joint should disappear.
Use your nail set and hammer to pound the finish nails below the surface of the baseboards. Add wood filler to the holes. After the filler has dried (read the directions) you can lightly sand down the excess with sandpaper.
Finally, use your paint to cover up any exposed wood filler or any scratches created during installation. That's all there is to installing new baseboards.
Related Posts:
How to Install Bamboo Floors
Ready to Install Bamboo?
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Labels: Bamboo Flooring, Baseboards, How To Install
