How to Glue a Vinyl Baseboard to a Tile Wall and Cut the Corners

Clean the tiles with a pH-neutral cleanser and a sponge to remove any trace of dirt or oils from the tile surface. Rinse the tiles with clean water and pat them dry with a rag.

Measure the length of the wall that you’re trimming using a measuring tape. Mark the length of the wall onto the vinyl baseboard with a straightedge to guide the marker and cut the board at the marked line with a utility knife. You’ll need to make several passes along the cutting line to cut through the board. Place a piece of scrap wood under the baseboard at the location of the cut to avoid cutting into your work surface.

Place the baseboard against the wall in its mounting position. Mark a line across the top of the board onto the tile showing the position of the board. Set the board aside.

Sand the surface of the tile under the marker line with a medium-grit sandpaper until you remove any glossy finish and create a slightly scratched surface. The finish can interfere with the adhesive holding the board in place, while the scratches provide a better surface for the adhesive to grip. Wipe the tiles with a rag to remove any sanding residue.

Cover the rear of the vinyl baseboard with adhesive, using a notched trowel to spread the adhesive evenly across the surface, and the notched edges to raise ridges in the adhesive after spreading. Reposition the board back at the base of the wall and press it firmly into place. If a second board is required to cover the length of the wall, butt the end of the board directly against the first to create a continuous covered surface.

Cover inside corners with the baseboard by mounting the board against one wall until it touches the corner and mounting the board on the adjacent wall so that the end of the second board butts against the front of the first. Cut the boards for outside corners by scoring a line in the rear of the board with the utility knife at the corner location and bending the board around the corner. Use adhesive along the corner section to hold the board in place.

Run a laminate roller down the length of the glued board to force out any air and to press the whole surface of the board onto the tiles.

Lay a bead of silicone caulk along the top of the board against the tile to cover the individual joints of the tiles as they run behind the board. If the baseboard is installed into a moisture-rich area, place a second bead of caulking along the base of the board where it meets the floor and along any seams between adjacent boards. Smooth the caulk by wetting your finger and running it along the caulk lines.