How to Install Baseboards & Crowning

Prepping and Running Crown Molding

• 1

  Measure the length of the wall to confirm the amount of crowning you need, and settle on an appealing design.

• 2

  Lay out the molding to determine the length and placement of each piece. Measure the installation line by using a scrap piece of molding to mark the bottom edge of the project and snap a chalk line to mark the wall line. Locate and mark studs and joists along the installation line.

• 3

  Apply a square cut to each end of the first piece you will install. Each subsequent piece will have a square cut on one end and a cut that is mitered and coped on the other end. Each piece installed should run the entire length of the wall, uninterrupted.

• 4

  Working with the installation line, align the molding piece and drive an 8d finishing nail through the board into each stud and joist, previously marked.

Applying Crown Molding to Corners

• 5

  Perform coped cuts on crown molding which meets another at an inside corner. Place a piece of molding on a miter saw and, from the bottom edge -- the edge that sits on the installation line -- make a cut at a 45-degree angle to the top of the molding, the edge that abuts the ceiling.

• 6

  Complete the outside corner by rotating the miter blade to the opposite 45-degree angle.

• 7

  Make a square cut and proceed to nail the molding in place if the subsequent piece is a inside corner.

• 8

  For ceiling height changes, install a piece of end molding, cut at a 90-degree angle so that it comes to a point at its bottom edge. When installing the cap, avoid splitting the small piece by gluing it in place rather than nailing it to the stud or joist.

Prepping and Running Baseboards

• 9

  Determine the amount of baseboard material you need by measuring each straight section of the wall. Round up to the nearest whole-foot dimension.

• 10

  Find and mark the studs in the wall to provide a firm base to which the baseboard can be attached.

• 11

  Start running the baseboard at an inside corner and work toward outside corners, tacking the baseboard in place with an 8d finishing nail or two driven into the studs at a slight downward angle.

• 12

  Create an inside corner cut by measuring and marking the board before nailing it in place. Place the piece of baseboard on a miter saw -- wall side down -- and make a cut at a 45-degree angle. To complete the outside corner, rotate the miter blade to the opposite 45-degree angle.

• 13

  Place decorative molding on top and at the base of the baseboard. Confirm that the molding aligns correctly, and secure it at each stud with an 8d nail driven at a slight downward angle through the thicker part of the molding. Cope molding joints at inside corners, and join outside corners with miters, marking and cutting before securing each of them.