Cutting Base Molding Angles

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Base molding is the trim that goes around the bottom of your walls, to add decoration and give it a finished look. It is usually made of wood, but sometimes it can be rubber, plastic, or other material. It comes in strips of varying sizes, widths, and colors.

In order to install base molding, you need to know how to put it in both the inside and outside corners. These are done the opposite of each other. Here are some directions for cutting base molding corner angles:

Cutting Inside Molding Angles

The best way to cut either kind of corner angle in base molding pieces is by using a miter saw. It will make smooth cuts and be the easiest tool to use. For example, if you are cutting a piece of molding for the left-hand side of the corner, and the right-hand side piece will fit into it, then turn the miter saw left and place it at a 45-degree angle. Then, you just place the piece of molding on the left, right side up, along the top of the saw. Then, cut it on the right side of the base.

When you cut the piece for the right side, you just have to do it in reverse. So, you would put the piece for the right side on the right side of the saw, then turn the saw towards the right at a 45-degree angle and cut the piece of molding. The pieces should match up perfectly.

Cutting Outside Angles

The outside angles are the ones that stick out instead of pointing toward the wall. You cut these somewhat like the ones for the inside corners since it also means using 45-degree angles for each piece in order to make a 90-degree angle at the corner. It’s just done exactly in reverse as the way you do it for the inside corner-cutting.

Measure the corners

Measure the edge of the corner to the end nearest to the wall. Stand it up in the direction it will be put on the wall. Put the saw blade at a 45-degree angle, and make sure it is pointing away from the part of the molding that you measured, and then cut it.

Then, do the same thing on the other side of the corner, except make sure the angle points in the other direction. Each side has to be cut the opposite of the other, so they will come together on the corner and fit against each other snugly and precisely.

For example, you have to cut the sections of each piece of molding so that it fits the way the wall is shaped. If the wall ends in an outside corner, then make sure the molding points away, and if it ends on an inside angled corner, make sure it points towards it, and finally, if it ends in a flat section, you merely cut it straight.

Installing base molding and cutting corners properly just takes some patience and good measurements, and your results will be perfect and look beautiful.