- 1). Measure the length of baseboard needed. Add 10 percent to the amount to cover possible mistakes.
- 2). Visit a home remodeling store to decide upon the type, or style, of baseboard needed. Choose a baseboard that fits the decor of the room---flat for more modern interiors, curved and highly designed for more ornate interiors.
- 3). Purchase the molding in lengths that do not require much splicing (cutting) and matching. Average lengths of molding run around 14 feet.
- 4). Purchase a product that comes pre-primed to save prep time. Paint the baseboard before installation.
- 5). Measure and cut baseboard to fit the first wall. Use a mitered cut at each end that meets another piece of molding at a corner. Use a straight cut when matching lengths along a wall. Use a miter saw for perfect miter cuts. Corners that meet in 90-degree angles require a mitered (angled) cut using a miter saw set at a 45-degree angle---two 45-degree cuts placed together result in a 90-degree corner.
- 6). Put baseboard into place making sure that it is flat against the wall. Use a pneumatic nail gun to attach the board to the wall. Nail at wall studs only, locate these before attaching the baseboard using a stud finder. A single two-inch finishing nail at each stud is all that is needed to keep the baseboard in place. Larger molding widths, four inches or more, need two two-inch finishing nails placed vertically at the studs.
- 7). When all baseboard is installed, finish the project by filling each nail hole with wood putty. Wipe away excess putty for a smooth application. Allow the putty to dry per the product's instructions.
- 8). Touch up the baseboard using the paint it was painted with earlier.
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