Mouldings can give your room a finished look. Here are a few steps to follow if you want to learn how to install your own mouldings.
There are multiple types of mouldings/trim. Some examples of mouldings are crown mouldings, door, baseboard and windows.
For general mouldings installation, you will need:
- trim (sufficient amount of trim for your project)
- wood glue
- finishing nails
- mitre box or mitre saw
- small hammer
- nail set
- tape measure
- a sharp pencil
How to install mouldings
1. First, ensure that the surfaces you are working with (where you will be install the moulding) are clear of debris or obstructions like protruding nails or screws. For example, if you are installing baseboard moulding, any registers need to be taken into consideration.
2. Next, measure the area to determine how much moulding you require. Measure the moulding and make a mark on the back of the piece with a sharp pencil where it is to be cut. If you are careful with your measuring and cutting of moulding, it makes the finished product look polished.
3. Make cut with a mitre box or mitre saw. Join two pieces of moulding to ensure they fit tightly. If you are happy with the fit, apply wood glue to join the surfaces and place pieces into position into the wall, securing them with nails.
4. Fill any gaps in the joints with wood filler after the glue has dried. This way, your moulding will not move. Give glue at least an hour to dry before doing the putty/wood filler.
More tips
Sometimes you can purchase pre-finished moulding or finish it yourself before you install. This way, you just have to cut and install the moulding.
If you do not purchase finished trim, you can opt for paintable trim. If you purchase primed trim, you can paint it before or after the moulding is installed. By painting the moulding before installation, you will need to do some touch ups where your joints and nail holes are following installation.
Installing moulding can make a room look complete or “finished”. To achieve this, all you need to do is measure the area you require moulding for, prepare the area by removing obstructions, cut moulding, and finally, glue and nail your moulding to the surface you require moulding for.
