Installing mouldings

Nowadays, you can find on the market a wide array of interior mouldings that will enhance the décor of any room in your home.

Mouldings can be made of wood (pine, maple, oak, cherry wood, etc.), medium density fibreboard (MDF) or plastic (polyurethane or PVC). If you choose wood or MDF, you will need to keep the mouldings at room temperature for 48 hours prior to the installation. This will prevent expansion or contraction of the material.
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Taking measurements
Choosing the saw
1. Installing a baseboard
2. Installing a door frame
3. Installing a window frame
4. Installing a chair rail
5. Installing a cornice (Crown)
6. Finishing

Taking measurements

To get more information on how to take measurements, please refer to the moulding calculator and to the Planning Guide Decorating with mouldings.

Taking measurements is an essential step in order to accurately determine the quantity of mouldings required and the exact length of each piece. Accurate measurements will help you save time and money.

For each room where you wish to install mouldings, calculate the length of each wall using a measuring tape. Add 305 mm (12 in.) to 610 mm (24 in.) for each wall to account for losses resulting from angle cuts. If there are obstructions that prevent you from installing mouldings (i.e. electrical baseboard, furniture, etc.), don’t forget to subtract them from the total length. If you are installing mouldings around a door or a window, determine the height and the width of each opening.

For aesthetic reasons, opt for long mouldings. For example, in the case of a 4.3 m (14 feet) wall, use a 4.8 m (16 feet) moulding rather than two 2.4 m (8 feet) mouldings. You will reduce the number of joints and enhance the look of your mouldings.

Tip: To make the installation of mouldings easier and reduce small sections to a minimum, start by the corner of the longer wall.

Choosing the saw

The mitre saw is undoubtedly the best tool to cut all types of mouldings. It does not require a square or long cutting marks. You only need to adjust the saw base or the angle of the blade and make a clean cut. Please note that depending on the mitre saw model, you could have to turn the mouldings upside down if the saw pivot and the angle of the blade adjust only one way.

The circular saw can cut mouldings of all dimensions. Make sure the blade is running before it reaches the moulding. If needed, most circular saws enable you to lift the base for a shallower cut and also to angle the blade (up to 45 degrees). Don’t forget to wear safety goggles!

The hand saw is used to cut small mouldings while following a mark or an angle. Avoid applying too much pressure on the saw when cutting. Place the moulding on a workshop and slant the saw at approximately 45 degrees.

You can also use a mitre box, which is a jig made of wood or plastic that enables you to make 45-degree and 90-degree cuts.

Tip: For a cleaner cut, it is recommended to use a blade with smaller teeth, whatever the type of saw. Blades with larger teeth do cut better, but the cut is not as clean.

1. Installing a baseboard

The following steps refer to baseboards and quarter-rounds.

1.1 

Make sure the floor is level. Press the first moulding against the corner of the wall and lightly draw a line on the top of the moulding, from the corner of the wall towards the inside of the moulding. For the exterior corner, the line will be drawn from the exterior of the moulding to create a bevelled corner.

1.2 

Place the moulding standing up on the mitre saw base, the back leaning against the cut guide. Adjust the saw blade at a 45 degree angle to follow the line drawn and cut.

1.3 

In the baseboard, drill holes at every 457 mm (18 in.), 13 mm (½ in.) below the top and above the bottom (in the nailing base). Tip: By drilling holes that are slightly smaller than the nails before nailing the moulding, you will prevent the wood from cracking. Note: If you are using an air hammer, you don’t need to pre-drill holes.

1.4 

Apply some silicone on the back of the baseboard. Nail the baseboard using finishing nails. Countersink them with a nail set.

1.5 

To cut the baseboard positioned on the adjacent wall, adjust the mitre saw so the blade is in a symmetrically opposite position, at a 45 degree angle, and cut the moulding. The angle of that second moulding will perfectly fit with the first moulding (scarf joint).

1.6 

To join two mouldings that are positioned along the same wall, you can cut them at right angles. However, a scarf joint is recommended. Position both baseboards as they will be on the wall and cut them at the same 45 degree angle. Please note that the baseboard must be cut at right angles when used as a door frame.
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