DO-IT-YOURSELF  >  HOW TO INSTALL > TRIM & BASEBOARDS

• Measure around room and round up to calculate how much trim to buy.
• Purchase long lengths to avoid splicing and reduce waste.
• If you must splice try to use trim with similar grain & colour.
• If using a light coloured stain match wood grains.

• Fit outside miters first.
• Inside miters are next.
• Cope joints.
• Against doorframes trim should butt up against it.

• Cut baseboard pieces to approximate lengths (a little extra on each) and put in place.
• Holding trim against an inside corner mark the length of the other end (the outside corner). Using a steel miter box cut the baseboard (clamp the baseboard down to ensure accuracy).
• Using finishing nails, nail into the wall stud. Counter sink the nails with a nail set so they don’t show.
• On the inside corner (butt the next piece of trim up against the existing trim from second step) you will cope this end to fit against the other piece of trim.
• To cope this joint you need to trace the shape of the trim and cut it out so this piece will fit snugly against the other.
• Place the trim against the wall, at the opposite end of the coped joint mark where the next cut will be, make it a little longer to allow for any fitting or adjustments.
• Bowing the trim slightly (because it is a bit long) fit the trim into place and release. The slightly oversize length will make the coped joint fit snugly against the other trim. Nail in place.
• Using finishing nails, nail into the wall stud. Counter sink the nails with a nail set so they don’t show.
• Against doorframes trim should butt up against it.
• If trim isn’t long enough to cover a whole wall two or more pieces of trim can be spliced together, to do this you must make a scarf joint.
• A scarf joint is an angled cut that is 8 times longer than the height. Cut both pieces on the same angle, fit together, and sand to make sure of a tight fit. Glue together and clamp until dry.

• Cut baseboard pieces to approximate lengths (a little extra on each) and put in place.
• Starting on an inside corner cut the end at a 45-degree angle using a steel miter box (clamp the baseboard down to ensure accuracy). On inside corners the 45-degree cuts will expose the end grain; on outside corners the end grain will be towards the wall.
• Holding miter cut trim against the inside corner, mark the length of the other end (the outside corner) and cut on a 45-degree angle.
• Using finishing nails, nail into the wall stud. Counter sink the nails with a nail set so they don’t show.
• Continue throughout room.
• Trim should butt up against doorframes.
• If trim isn’t long enough to cover a whole wall two or more pieces of trim can be spliced together, to do this you must make a scarf joint.
• A scarf joint is an angled cut that is 8 times longer than the height. Cut both pieces on the same angle, fit together, and sand to make sure of a tight fit. Glue together and clamp until dry.