How to Install Baseboards Around Door Frames

The last step when you install a new door is to attach the baseboard molding around it. The molding covers the gap between the door jamb and the rough opening to give the door a finished look. There are a variety of molding styles available at your local home-supply store. Some molding comes pre-stained or painted. If your molding does not, paint or stain it before you install it. Molding is mitered at the ends to create a clean corner. If you have not used a miter saw before, practice on some scrap wood before you cut the molding for your baseboards.

Miter saw
Tape measure
Pneumatic nailer
1 1/2-inch finishing nails

Instructions

- 1
  Place a molding piece on the miter saw table. Slide the piece down so the left end is positioned under the saw blade. Point the blade's front edge to the left and set the blade to a 45-degree angle. Cut through the molding.
- 2
  Measure the door's width at the top. Transfer this measurement to the cut molding piece and make a mark. Reposition the saw blade so the front edge points toward the right. Slide the molding down until the mark is positioned under the blade and make the cut.
- 3
  Hold the molding over the door. Reveal the door jamb by 1/4 inch evenly down the molding. Use a pneumatic nailer to hammer 1 1/2-inch finishing nails through the molding to secure it in place.
- 4
  Measure down the door's left side. Transfer this measurement to another molding piece. Miter the molding's top edge to a 45-degree angle. Point the saw blade toward the right to make this cut. The molding's bottom edge is not mitered.
- 5
  Butt up the molding's mitered end with the top molding's mitered end. Maintain a 1/4-inch reveal down the molding's length. Secure the molding in place with the pneumatic nailer and 1 1/2-inch finishing nails.
- 6
  Measure the door's right side. Transfer this measurement to another molding piece. Position the miter saw blade to a 45-degree angle. Point the saw blade toward the left. Do not miter the bottom edge. Butt up the mitered end with the top molding piece's mitered end. Maintain the 1/4-inch reveal down the molding's length. Secure the molding in place with the pneumatic nailer and 1 1/2-inch finishing nails.

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