35
votes
Accepted
Is it more important for your baseboards to have a consistent reveal (height) or for them to be level?
When putting a narrow item on a wall hang it level. When putting a wide/long item on the wall hang it parallel to the floor or ceiling, whichever is nearer. The eye can see a picture frame askew ...
- 26.3k
24
votes
Accepted
Why is all this exterior trim rotting and how do I fix it?
The cause is simply nature. You've got wood that's outside. It gets wet, the wet stays in the wood, the wood rots. This happens when wood is left outside in an area where water can get stuck and ...
- 25.8k
18
votes
Installing a 48" vanity between two walls that are 51" apart. How can I cover the 1.5" gaps on the cabinet marble top and the cabinet sides?
This is a free standing vanity. It is not made to finish against a wall. The cabinet part does not lend itself to adding what we call "fillers" as a standard vanity cabinet would. The open ...
- 4,523
14
votes
Alternative to Silicone Wood Filler for Door Frame
The flooring is supposed to extend far enough under the door trim molding so that no sub-floor is visible. The gap you have is non-standard and is completely unacceptable.
Presumably you have some ...
- 20.8k
14
votes
Alternative to Silicone Wood Filler for Door Frame
While re-doing the floor to go under the trim would be desirable, a hack might make things worse.
My best suggestion is a square edge plinth block to cover the mess. Maybe you'll have to do that ...
- 19.2k
12
votes
How can I repair damaged door casing?
I would just replace the trim. If you were good with an oscillating saw or sharp wood chisel you could cut the molding just above the damaged area at an angle. Remove everything from there down.
When ...
- 64k
10
votes
Accepted
Should I install baseboards before or after laminate flooring?
Baseboards should be installed after laminate.
Most (all?) Laminate is a floating flooring system which means it doesn't actually attach to the subfloor (friction holds it in place once all the ...
- 1,069
10
votes
Why is all this exterior trim rotting and how do I fix it?
Because that's what wood does, especially when exposed to regular and/or prolonged moisture. The lack of gable overhangs on the home are a factor. Even cedar and other rot-resistant species have their ...
- 126k
10
votes
What should I do about this vanity that won't sit tight to the wall due to trim molding?
If that leg can be unscrewed and moved over 1/2 inch, that would be my first choice. If not, then I'd get a coping saw and cut the leg to fit the trim.
- 77k
9
votes
Why is all this exterior trim rotting and how do I fix it?
It's hard to say for sure without pulling it apart but your pictures suggest to me that you have water getting behind the wood at that corner. The reason I think this might be the case is that you ...
- 2,020
9
votes
What are the pros and cons of removing exterior dentil molding?
You're right that they're merely decorative. They're often a separate molding that lays over another board or molding. They can be removed or covered without issue.
I do think it's a loss of nice ...
- 126k
9
votes
Is it more important for your baseboards to have a consistent reveal (height) or for them to be level?
They don't have to be level, they have to look straight. This can actually get quite complicated when doing tile or vinyl planking (especially those with no underlayment).
If you have "rooms&...
- 47.7k
9
votes
Please help me identify this molding
That looks like bevel casing, possibly oak.
Take your sample to local lumberyards (not big box stores) and see what they have.
If you can’t find an exact match, replace everything in the immediate ...
- 19.2k
8
votes
Accepted
What height to set baseboards before carpet is installed?
3/8-5/8" but most 1/2"
Reasoning:
you have padding and carpet. With a plush carpet and pad you might be at almost an inch or even over.
you don't want the tuck to be so tight that it looks like ...
- 47.7k
8
votes
Remove Trim/Baseboards Installed Prior to Hardwood Floors (No Leverage)
An oscillating tool is your friend. It looks like it would reach to the bottom nail. Looks like you were able to pull the top of the board out enough to get to the bottom nail. You also may be able to ...
- 5,385
8
votes
Accepted
How can I deal with gaps under shoe moulding?
Since you're not asking how to level the floor, and since that would be a much more substantial project requiring much more information, I'll just address the molding detail.
Base shoe exists in part ...
- 126k
8
votes
Installing a 48" vanity between two walls that are 51" apart. How can I cover the 1.5" gaps on the cabinet marble top and the cabinet sides?
I think I might try pushing the cabinet all the way to the left, leaving a gap of about 3" on the right.
Then mount a towel bar all the way across, maybe 12" above the countertop or so.
Then ...
- 199
8
votes
Do I need to remove drywall before casing an opening?
No, removing the drywall isn't required.
It will narrow the opening slightly but you should have no issues nailing it over the drywall. Think about how standard doors are trimmed out, over the drywall....
- 1,808
7
votes
How to cut 45 angles in quarter round shoe molding with circular saw?
Really too dangerous cutting small base shoe molding with a circular saw.
It is so easy to cut that you should just buy one of those cheap wooden miter boxes that you use with a fine toothed back ...
- 64k
7
votes
Accepted
Can PVC moulding be used indoors?
We like it for bathrooms and other wet environments. It nails perfectly normally with an air nailer (usually 18g).
The only thing is that you can't cut it slowly, as it'll melt and you'll end up ...
- 19.2k
7
votes
Is it a problem to have gaps in the drywall hidden by molding?
If you can no longer see the openings in the drywall your contractor did a good job, molding is there to cover the ends at the floor and edges at openings so there is no need to go back it will not ...
- 102k
7
votes
Why is all this exterior trim rotting and how do I fix it?
We require “back priming”. That means pre-paint all surfaces before the trim is installed...especially cut ends. End grain on trim sucks up moisture more than side grain.
- 23k
7
votes
Accepted
Should I erase pencil marks on primed trim before painting
Pencil marks will not have much effect on paint adhesion, and will not cause staining, but they may show through light-coloured paints.
So yeah either do a test to see if they show through, or just ...
- 18.4k
7
votes
What is this cable painted into wall going up staircase?
That is a cloth covered cable and most likely live.
There is nothing weird about it it is very common in older homes pre 1960’s the cable was just painted over many times. In the past electrical code ...
- 102k
7
votes
Do I need to remove drywall before casing an opening?
You don't need to remove the drywall, but I strongly encourage you to remove the corner bead. It adds substantial thickness to the opening and taper to the wall. Run a long straightedge across the ...
- 126k
6
votes
Accepted
Installing Baseboard Moulding with Brad Nailer
If you are renovating the whole house, or at least a good portion of it, I would purchase a nail gun over renting it or borrowing it. Owning it lets you use it when you need it, not like going to get ...
- 33.8k
6
votes
Mitering an outside crown molding?
To answer your specific questions, you shouldn't assume spring angle is 45 degrees. Put a framing square on the flats of the crown and you'll know if it's symmetrical or 38/52.
To cut this flat, your ...
- 19.2k
6
votes
Accepted
Remove Trim/Baseboards Installed Prior to Hardwood Floors (No Leverage)
The problems I see are the bottom nails nailed into the baseboard. Get a keyhole saw or single handle hack saw, see picture below, and cut those bottom nails. Then pull the baseboard straight up. Use ...
- 77k
6
votes
How to connect mismatched height baseboards?
You will need to remove the original base back to the nearest joint or corner and replace it with new. Lower the new piece in the picture half of the amount needed, and raise the new replacement ...
- 33.8k
5
votes
Accepted
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible