how to replace baseboards

Measure and cut the baseboards for each wall. Cut each miter about 1/16–inch longer than necessary. In houses built after World War II, however, fancy gave way to cheap, and the vital floor-to-wall transition became the domain of thin, featureless one-piece trim. Remove the board and set it onto a cutting surface. Measure the perimeter of the room(s) with a tape measure, rounding up to the nearest whole-foot dimension divisible by two. Use of this site is subject to certain Terms Of Use. First, hold the two boards tightly against the outside corner and pencil a mark in two places across the joint. Fit one end of the board snugly against the inside corner (or casing), and at the other end draw a vertical line up the back of the board, using the edge of the outside corner to guide the pencil. … To avoid marking the wood, use a nail set to drive the heads just below the wood surface. That’s not a problem with one of these compact, ultra-efficient units that heat water as you need it. When the scribed baseboard is put back on the wall, its top edge should line up with the chalk line snapped in Step 2. To figure out how to install new baseboards on old walls, you will need to adjust the angles. Running baseboard is also good for perfecting carpentry skills. Alternatively, use scrap material for trial-and-error fitting until you find the correct angle cut. Scrape and sand off any remaining glue or caulk left on the wall. Bring the boards into the room where you'll be installing them a few days before you start. Visit your local Home Depot for all latest deals on tools and supplies you need to get this baseboard project done. Tip: Studs are usually placed 16 inches on-center, so after locating the first one you may be able to locate others using a tape measure. The first step in replacing baseboards is to remove the old ones. A miter box is also a good, economical option. Touch up the baseboard with primer paint. This method may result in scuff marks on the new baseboards. Set a compound miter saw to 45 degrees and cut each miter just outside of the line. Today, I want to show you how to repair your baseboards like a pro! ", Step 9: If you are using power tools such as a compound power miter saw or a finishing nailer, be sure to wear eye protection and ear plugs. 132 linear feet: $187.04: $282.15: Baseboard Installation Labor, Basic Basic labor to install baseboard with favorable site conditions. Where two boards meet on a straight run, make a scarf joint by mitering the ends in opposite directions at a point where there's a stud. Employ the same methods for outside and inside corners, scarf and butt joints on the moulding. If they have stature, a room becomes regal; when they are skimpy, that same space looks dowdy. Secure it at each stud with an 8d nail driven at a slight downward angle through the thicker parts of the molding. The Baseboard Replacement – Envi Heater. At that point, tack a scrap piece of baseboard to the wall with a nail. Align the tool's centerline with a mark and plunge-cut a slot into the face of the cut. Once the fit is good, apply a thin bead of wood glue to mitered edges and nail in place with finishing nails. Start at an inside corner. Go online to find baseboard installation professionals near you. If not, move the level across the floor to find its lowest point. It cost less than $10 and was done in one day! Finally, be sure to read the operation manuals for your power tools so that you are aware of all the safety precautions associated with each tool. Before you head to your local Home Depot to buy your baseboard and supplies, save time and money by accurately measuring first. Place both boards back against the wall and check the join. Sand all the mitered corners lightly with fine sandpaper to remove any sharp edges. Tip: "You want to cut next to the line marking the joint," says Tom. :) Thanks for the inspiration. Fit one end of the baseboard against the inside corner of the wall or door casing. If you want to replace your current baseboard or install a new one, a carpenter, contractor or handyman service in your area will be able to help. Measure and cut the baseboards for each wall. Fortunately, it's easy to replace modern moldings with taller, thicker, two- or three-part baseboards. 2. Set your compass points to span the vertical distance between the chalk line and either of the board's top corners. Length to 16 ft. Install shoe or cap moulding, if using. Discussion Starter • #1 • Apr 4, 2007. Depends on the room size; cutting tight joints requires patience and practice. When you encounter the doorway, measure … ", Step 10: Miter the end at 45 degrees in opposite directions. Mark the same way. Scribing Installing a baseboard is a quick way to update a room and add a stylish finishing touch to any room. Learn these fast fixes for ice dam removal, long term repair, and prevention tips. You will need a few other tools and supplies to install baseboards. Baseboards are typically composed of three components: cap moulding, baseboards and shoe moulding. If adding baseboards after carpet is laid, it should be installed at the same height as without carpet. I LOVE your baseboards, we'll just go slow, do a room at a time as we remodel other things and eventually we'll replace it all, right? Glue and overlap the miters, then nail through the piece that covers the joint (not through the joint itself) and into the stud. Smaller homes or homes with only one room with baseboards will have lower costs. How to Install Baseboard. Painting the baseboard or re-caulking it would’ve only provide a band-aid on an open wound, so I decided to replace the baseboard throughout the entire room. Insert a putty knife between the quarter-round or shoe molding and the baseboard molding and pry gently to loosen the shoe molding, working along the entire length of the molding. Cut away the old paint and caulk along the top edge of the trim. ", Step 2: Snap a chalk line between the marks around the perimeter of the room to show where the top edge of all the baseboards should land when they're installed. Cap moulding fits on top of the baseboards to add an ornamental touch and are optional. Preparing to Install Baseboards This will result in a tight fit to the carpet as long as the tack strip is close enough to the baseboard. Baseboard moulding is a simple way to add instant character to a room. If an electric miter saw is not in your budget, you can rent one. Place the other board against the adjacent wall. The corners need a cap on them to allow everything to fit nicely. Making a new baseboard the same height as the original isn't difficult; finding a cap molding with the same profile can be, especially on an old house. If you are a beginner, add six inches (or more) to your total measurement to give yourself some leeway. The handiest tool is a miter saw. If there are gaps behind the molding and no stud to nail into, squeeze a bead of construction adhesive on the back of the molding at those spots and nail the molding to the studs, as above. On older homes, verify locations with a nail. This option will result in a less seamless look and will need additional finishing in the end. For inside corners, simply butt the baseboard ends together, then nail them to the wall. Then slip a biscuit into each slot on one board and bring the two boards together. Install the First Piece. Removing your baseboards is not going to change how your carpet will look if it is done correctly, but it may be a better idea if baseboards need replacement or if you are working in an older home. Icicles may be pretty but they can tear off gutters, loosen shingles, and cause water to back up into your house. Measure and cut one baseboard so that it fits flush against the wall with a straight cut next to a corner. Reply Delete It might also include any present shoe molding. Using sandpaper, sand the bevel away to create a level cut at the marked line. "Then there's room to fine-tune and get it tight.". © 2000-2020 Home Depot Product Authority, LLC. "In old houses, you often see the fanciest baseboard in the front room downstairs," says This Old House general contractor Tom Silva. Painter Mauro Henrique demonstrates how to take an old piece of furniture and give it a new life with a little bit of paint. For floors that are not level, you will need to scribe the bottom of the baseboard for an accurate fit. If the joint is open at the front, a stroke or two with a block plane at the back … Drag the compass point along the floor, drawing a line across the bottom of the baseboard. ", Step 4: Tom Silva shows how to install baseboard trim that become visual anchors for any room. If the join it too tight, use a sanding block to remove excess wood. Problems Note: For less flexible baseboard, the best solution is to simply fill any gaps with caulk. Watch as Mark installs precast concrete steps, Mauro paints a table, and Heath installs a new lamppost. Without changing the spread of the compass's legs, hold the pencil on the baseboard and the point against the floor. Number the back of each board and write that same number on the wall where the board will go. Caulk along the top edge and corner edges and nail holes. Make it a couple of inches longer in case of mistakes. Once you have the measurements, it’s time to head to your local Home Depot to get your moulding. You may not need all three components for your project. At the other end draw a vertical line up the back of the board. Between these nails, drive a 4d finish nail through the joint and into the end grain of the opposite piece. Before nailing it in place, mark the second piece the same way, and test for fitting. Install them flush to the subfloor prior to the carpet install. Remove the board and set it onto a cutting surface. Use a miter saw to bevel cut the end at a 45-degree angle. When my husband was replacing the baseboards in the boys’ bedrooms, he had figured out that the inside length of the cap is 3/4″ and it gives you a perfectly sized piece for corner caps. Remove any nails that remain in the drywall. Hold the first board against the wall, level it, then temporarily tack it in place. Place the point of the compass even with the floor against the wall and the pencil against the baseboard slightly above the board's bottom. If the joint gaps are small or the gaps between the wall and the baseboard are small, you can use caulk or wood putty to fill in the gaps. ". Baseboards range from 3½- to 6-inches high and are predominantly flat. Add additional room to your measurements to allow for outside corners. With a circular saw set for a 2- to 5-degree bevel, cut alongside the scribe line so the face of the cut will be on the side toward the wall. My baseboard has layers of old paint as you can see in the pictures below. ", Step 8: Most importantly, it makes quick work of cutting the corners on baseboard moulding. Cap moulding is often used with wainscot paneling or with a chair rail. The company’s website has easy-to-follow installation videos. Safety Tips for Installing Baseboard In older homes, replacing it entirely risks damage to the plaster, and can be a difficult process if the baseboard is tucked behind the wood floor. Dry-fit the baseboard back onto the floor. Use 1-1/4" or 1-1/2" brads to close the corner. If you are not intending to install quarter round, or base shoe, the baseboard should be installed snugly on top of the carpet. This will help them acclimate to their new environment. FrogTape® asked to work with me to help make all the baseboards beautiful again. An adventurous homeowner can learn to cut and install baseboards for their own home, making them a perfect DIY project. Set the circular saw blade depth to the depth of the board, and on a 5-degree bevel with the face of the cut toward the wall. Use a 4-foot level to determine if your floor is level. ", Step 3: While the installation of the baseboard trim itself isn’t hard, the cutting and measuring of the angles can be a bit tricky. Local store prices may vary from those displayed. “You have to follow the contours of the walls,” says Dixon, “and use caulk or paint to hide … Baseboards were often three-piece affairs consisting of a flat plank, a decorative cap molding, and a rounded shoe molding to cover gaps along the floor. For the boards that meet outside corners, cut them a few inches longer than the wall to allow for miter cuts. Set a 4-foot level on the floor next to the wall to see if the floor is level. Mark the end of the to be coped. Shoe moulding is used when retrofitting or putting down new flooring. Doing so ensures a tight fit. If it isn't tight on the side and top, go back to the saw or pick up a block plane and trim the wood until it is. Apply gentle pressure on the top of the flat bar to pry the baseboard away from the wall to reveal a gap of about ¼ inch. Baseboard Cost Non-discounted retail pricing for: 2.25" x 0.594"oak ranch style base molding. In older homes, you may run into issues with walls that are not square. Boards that meet outside corners should be a few inches longer than the wall to allow for miter cuts. Its miter angle should be opposite of the previous board. When using a cap molding, place it on the base to see if the back of the molding fits snugly against the wall. Typical baseboard materials. If you plan to install baseboard moulding before adding carpet, it needs to be installed 1 inch above floor level to allow room for both pad and carpet. If you’re having new floors put in, the same company that installs your flooring could probably also install your baseboards. But if he's remodeling a house graced with good-looking baseboards, he tries his best to match the new trim to what's already there. When removing old baseboards, start by checking the corners and tops of the molding for any caulk or other sealant, then cut through it with a utility knife. If not, move the level across the floor… But when an exact replica is needed, he'll have custom molding milled up. This way, the joint can be fine-tuned. Supplyhouse.com sells several styles of replacement covers, called “baseboarders,” for about $16 to $27 per foot. Mark the top of the board to show the direction of the miter. Then nail the molding to the wall between the studs to hold it in place until the adhesive sets. You can, however, use a miter cut to join an inside corner. ", Step 7: The cap and the baseboards on each side of it are cut at a 22.5 degree angle. Mark the same way. Set the cut baseboard in place so it is flush against the floor and fits tightly … Do the same thing at the next mark. Copyright © 2020 This Old House Ventures, LLC. However, if the gaps are larger than a ¼ inch, you will need to adjust the angles of the outside and inside corners to match the angle on the corners of the old wall. Place the boards back on the wall and drive two 8d finish nails into the wall on each side of the miter. The baseboard trim is now ready to be primed and painted. Use a sliding T bevel to help determine the new angles for the corner. Larger houses might exceed the high end price. We have many customers who have replaced their baseboard and here is what they have to say: Brian, Oct 10, 2016 - “I just recently bought a 2nd Envi heater for my sons’ bedroom. The cost to hire a general contractor for baseboard replacement depends on their rates. Starting at an inside corner, hold the first board against the wall, level it, then tack it in place with a nail or two. ", Step 6: Replacing baseboard heaters with forced air systems is a common decision that a lot of homeowners make. Trim the beveled edge down to the line with a block plane. Outside Corner Cuts Remove the old molding carefully; if it isn't already broken, don't break it. Glue miter joints together; adding biscuits or nails may cause the narrow molding to split. Another tool to help speed up the process is an eclectic brad nailer. While electric baseboard heaters are easier and cheaper to install than forced air systems (or hydronic baseboard heaters), they are also less … Today I’m walking you through all of the steps I took to replace my baseboard, which made SUCH a difference in this room. The cut will reveal the profile of your baseboard. The process is similar to installing crown moulding. Reasons to remove the baseboard may be to replace damaged pieces, paint or stain the existing piece for an updated color, or completely replace the trim for an updated style. If you’re installing new baseboards on wonky walls, it’s best to use molding made of a composite material like polystyrene, which is more flexible than wood. To determine the amount of baseboard material you need, measure each straight section of the wall and round up to the nearest whole-foot dimension divisible by two. Trim the board along the penciled line. Next, at each stud location, hammer two 8d finish nails through the board, at a slight downward angle, near its top and bottom edges. Please call us at: 1-800-HOME-DEPOT (1-800-466-3337), Please enter in your email address in the following format: [email protected]. This will prevent the paint and wood from pulling away with the trim once you start prying. The products included in this article are available at various home improvement stores, local home centers, and online retailers like Amazon. Basic profile. Tools and Supplies to Install Baseboards Here’s what you need to know about choosing, installing, and living with a tankless water heater. Removing and replacing baseboard trim is a fairly straightforward DIY project. Despite their lowly position along the floor, baseboards are one of a house's defining features. Squeeze carpenter's glue into both slots and over the face of each half of the miter cut. Both of our bedrooms are in a converted attic and each bedroom had an electric baseboard heater. Make sure your working surface is clear of debris when operating power tools. Remove the marked board and place the one that will make up the miter's other half against the adjacent wall. The joints required are simple butts, miters, and copes, and the same basic installation steps apply to all trimwork. Replacing baseboards is your best option if they’re water-damaged, stained or warped. Set the circular saw blade depth to the depth of the board, and on a 5-degree bevel with the face of the cut toward the wall. Snap a chalk line between the marks to indicate where the top edge of the baseboards should be once they're installed. 35 Posts . Plus: Learn how to cope baseboard trim with a miter saw. Quantity includes typical waste overage, material for repair and local delivery. Shoe moulding is another ornamental detail at the bottom of the baseboard. Install them prior to the carpet 3/8"-1/2" above the subfloor. Although they are optional, they help complete the look. Sometimes he'll combine two or more of those moldings to create a shape that is close. Mark the top of the board to show the direction of the miter. Tap nail heads below the wood surface with a nail set.

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