Home Garden

How to Build Room Edges

Room edging adds a touch of class to a room by finishing off the lower portion of a wall and covering any gaps between the bottom of an internal wall and the floor below it. While room edging comes in many styles and different types of wood, the fitting of each board is the same. Once the boards are measured to the length of the wall, the ends are cut at an angle to form a seamless edge around the perimeter of the room.

Things You'll Need

  • Tape measure
  • Pencil and paper
  • Edging boards
  • Miter saw
  • Wood adhesive
  • Caulk
  • Paint or varnish
  • Paintbrush
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Measure the width of each wall in the room using a tape measure. Add 4 inches to each width to take into account the fact that the ends of your edging will need to be cut. Mark the widths on a piece of paper. Examine the edging to check if there are different profiles on either side of the wood. Choose the profile you prefer for your room. Mark the other profile with a cross.

    • 2

      Cut your edging boards to the lengths you noted, using the miter saw. Set the angle on the miter saw to cut at a 45 degree angle. Cut one end of two pieces that will join onto one another to 45 degrees using the miter saw. Stand the pieces against the wall so they connect with one another. Check to ensure the angle you cut allows the profiles of the edging to sit flush with one another.

    • 3

      Cut the ends of the remaining edging pieces at 45 degree angles, using the miter saw. Stand the pieces against the walls to check the fit of the edging in each case. If any pieces do not quite fit, adjust the angle of the saw to cut a slightly sharper angle from the end in question, then check the fit again.

    • 4

      Apply a bead of wood adhesive, such as Instant Grab or No Nails, the size of your thumbnail to the back of one edging panel every 6 inches along the panel. Press the panel to the wall so the lowest edge sits on the floor. Hold the panel in place until the adhesive takes hold.

    • 5

      Stick the other panels to the wall in the same manner as the first. Apply caulk along the top of the edging to cover the gap between the edging and the wall. Apply more caulk along the seams between the boards. Run a finger down the caulk to smooth it over, creating a seamless surface. Wait 24 hours for the caulk to set fully. Paint or varnish the edging as required, using a paintbrush.