QA

Question: How To Measure And Cut Baseboards

How are baseboards measured?

Use a measuring tape to calculate the square footage of each room that will need base trim. Add measurements together for each area — such as for the living room, dining room and so on — and divide the number by 12 to determine the linear square feet of each room, as base trim is typically sold in linear square feet.

How are trim cuts measured?

Measure along the wall and floor junction from the first corner to the first cut point. Record this measurement with an additional note detailing if the left and right sides of the trim are inside or outside angles. Also, note the degree of the angles.

How do you measure baseboard height?

A general rule of thumb for your baseboards is the 7 percent rule — they should equal 7 percent of the overall height of your room. So, if you have 8-foot ceilings, your baseboards will look best at around 7 inches high.

What size nail should I use for baseboards?

As we discussed earlier with nail guns – the best baseboard nails are probably going to be 6d (2”) or 8d (2.5” for baseboard). These can easily accommodate 15 gauge or 16 gauge nails, giving you a long, durable nail for thick baseboards and studs.

How many linear feet are in a 12×12 room?

Multiply the length times the width of the room to get the room square footage. 12 ft x 12 in/ft (width of the room) = 144 in. So the total linear footage of the 1 x 12 boards is found by multiplying 5 (boards) by 6 (feet) which equals 30 linear feet.

How do you measure linear feet for baseboards?

Divide the total number of inches by 12 to convert from inches to linear feet. For example, if your wall measured 40 inches in length, and you are installing molding on the top and bottom, 40 x 2 = 80 inches. Divide 80 by 12 to get 6.66 linear feet.

How do you measure baseboard trim angles?

Set the corner of the angle gauge into the inside corner or up against the outside corner of the surface you’re measuring. Open the gauge’s blades until they’re pressed firmly against the adjoining surfaces. Read the angle off the gauge. Lay a short piece of scrap baseboard on the floor, flat side down.

How do you measure corners for baseboards?

For inside corners, the long point of the miter is always at the back of the molding, against the wall, and against the miter saw fence. For inside corners, you measure to the long point of the miter and you cut to the long point of the miter.

What angle do you cut baseboard corners?

With inner mitered baseboard joints, each baseboard piece is cut at a 45-degree angle. When joined, the two pieces form a 90-degree angle that fits perfectly against the inside corner where two walls meet.

How do I know how much trim to buy?

Multiply the length times 2 and the width times 2, then add the values together, eg. (length × 2) + (width × 2) = perimeter. Subtract the length of any doors or windows that break up the room. For example, if you have a 36″ entry door to the room, subtract 3′ from the perimeter measurement.

How do you measure and cut corners for molding?

When working on corners, measure the length needed to cut the shortest side of the molding. The top of the molding will be shorter for an inside corner; the bottom of the molding will be shorter for an outside corner. Measure again before making the final cut [source: Louisiana Pacific].

What is the most popular baseboard height?

How Tall Should Baseboards Be? Common Heights Sold by Retailers: Retailers sell all sorts of shapes and sizes, but the most common include 3 ¼ inches and 5 ¼ inches. Height of the Walls: Some homes have higher ceilings throughout, while some have lower ceilings in certain rooms.

How tall should baseboards be with 9ft ceilings?

A baseboard height that’s approximately 7% of the wall height provides for a solid and definable base without being too big. The overall proportion of baseboard to wall height will be comfortable and pleasing. So in a room with a 9 foot high ceiling, a baseboard that’s about 8 inches tall works.

What is standard baseboard height?

Here is a great rule of thumb: A standard 8-foot wall typically has a baseboard 3 to 5 inches tall, while a 10-foot ceiling calls for 5 to 7 inches. As a designer, I love adding height for drama. And the taller baseboards create a modern yet elegant finished look.

Do you nail baseboard to studs?

Base molding fits flush along the bottom of the wall and typically attaches to the wall studs and to the floor plate. The top nail should hit the stud and the bottom nail should either hit the stud or the floor plate, which is 1-1/2 inches higher than the subfloor.

Which is better 15 or 16 gauge finish nailer?

The 15g finish nailer is ideal for heavier jobs. If you’re working with thinner, more delicate pieces of trim, the 16g nailer is the better option. This finish nailer will give you excellent holding power without leaving behind a big entrance hole and splitting the wood.

What is better 16 gauge or 18 gauge nailer?

16-Gauge Finish Nailers The 16-gauge finish nail has a 0.0625-inch-thick shank and is typically supplied in 1 to 3½-inch lengths. Because it is thicker, it holds better than 18-gauge brads. Also, it can be used to fasten thicker, denser pieces of wood.5 days ago.

Is a linear foot the same as a foot?

A linear foot is exactly what it sounds like: a 12-inch (one-foot) measurement of length. For this measurement, width and height don’t matter! For example, if you have a piece of flooring that’s 5 feet long, 6 inches wide and 0.25 inches tall, it’s 5 linear feet.

How many linear feet is 30 feet?

Common Lengths in Linear Feet Distance in Inches Linear Feet 12″ 1 ft 18″ 1.5 ft 24″ 2 ft 30″ 2.5 ft.

Is linear feet the same as square feet?

Linear Foot vs Square Foot: While a linear foot is a one-dimensional measurement, a square foot is a two-dimensional measurement. A square foot is the result of two linear measurements. For example, when you want to calculate the area of the room. You must look for the length and width of the room.