Look, if you think that slapping strips of wood from the box store along your walls and calling it a day is “installing baseboards”, we need to talk… Proper baseboard installation in the Twin Cities area is an art form – doing it the right way is the difference between “WOW!” and “Yikes.”
Start With The Right Baseboard Material
Your Choice depends on style, budget and the needs of your household.
MDF Materials. This is what your big nationwide home builder used. It’s cheap, builder grade junk that absolutely will not hold up to any real-life scenarios – it’s best to skip this stuff altogether.
Paint Grade Materials. These are the most common interior trim materials that real trim carpentry professionals use. Primed pine and poplar materials both have durability, they paint beautifully and will last for the lifetime of your home – yes, even if your kids beat the hell out of them.
Stain Grade Materials. The classic hardwood species such as oak, maple or cherry. These woods are celebrated for their grain structure, elegant, warm style and of course – their elevated price.
We delve deeper into this with our
Tools That Minneapolis Trim Carpenters Rely On
Forget that old handsaw in your garage. The best baseboard installation tools include:
12″ miter saw for crisp, clean and accurate cuts.
Nail gun and air compressor – no hammer dents.
Coping saw or grinder for flawless cope cuts on your inside corners.
Digital tape measure. Because speed and accuracy count.
Nail set. For when a nail doesn’t quite sink all the way in.
Stud finder. Even us pros don’t have x-ray vision.
Glue. Because wood moves and what looks good now will shift in few months.
Measure Twice And Cut Once
Every wall in your Twin Cities home will have its quirks. It doesn’t matter if you are in Andover or in Arden Hills, it is just part of the game. Check for out of square corners and wonky floors before cutting. Mark your boards clearly and remember that inside and outside corners need completely different approaches.
Cutting With Your Miter Saw And Cope Like A Pro
Outside corners are usually best with a 46 degree angle cut. Trust us, that extra degree past 45 will help keep your corners looking sharp and aligned.
Inside corners can be a bit more work. Run one piece square and cope the perpendicular piece with either a coping saw or a grinder with sanding disc like us pros do – no awkward gaps and no excuses.
Nail It Right The First Time
Nail your new baseboards into the studs and glue your outside corners. Typically, 2 nails per stud will hold everything tight. Use a nail gun for speed and consistency. Keep the board tight to the wall and floor as you go.
Dealing With Common Issues
Wavy walls. Scribe and sand the back of your baseboards for a snug fit.
Gaps at the wall. Fill with paintable caulk, but remember that less is more – you are not frosting a cake.
Uneven floors. Trim carpentry pros use shoe moldings to cover the gaps for a clean and finished look.
Finish Like a Professional Trim Carpenter
Fill your nail holes, sand your filled nail holes, miters and splices and caulk any seams along the wall. Painting and staining will not cover up mistakes – so take your time to get this right.
Bottom Line
Whether you DIY or hire a trim carpenter like us, the key is preparation and the devil is in the details. Precision, patience and the right tools will have your new interior wood trim looking gorgeous for years – no matter what your kids and dog may have planned.