Installing molding to finish off a project can be the most gratifying part of the job. Although it's easier than you might expect, installing molding takes some practice. Start installing molding in an area of the room where it will be the least visible. You'll soon surprise yourself with your speed and neat joinery. The most common mistake is to cut a miter in the wrong direction. Whenever possible, mark pieces clearly, not only for length, but also for the direction of cut.
Time: About 10 minutes per piece of molding.
Skills: Precise measuring and cutting, figuring out the direction of cuts, nailing.
Tools: Tape measure, miter box and backsaw or power miter saw, coping saw, hammer, nail set.
Expert's Insight
Molding can be expensive, so determine exactly how many pieces of each size you need. On a piece of paper, make columns for each size--8 feet, 10 feet, 12 feet, etc. As you measure for individual pieces, tally how many you need under each column. If you have an old house, you may need moldings that are not made any longer. A lumberyard with a mill or a millwork company can make replicas. If the price is too high or you need only a small piece of molding, you can make a reasonable facsimile using a router, tablesaw, radial-arm saw, and belt sander.
Step-by-Step
1. Measure and mark precisely
Whenever possible, hold a piece of molding in place and mark it with a knife, rather than using a tape measure. For window and door casings, take into account the 1/4-inch reveal on the edge of the jamb. As a guide, use a compass set to 1/4 inch to mark the reveal on the jamb.
2. Cut the miter
Sight down the blade of the saw and slide the molding until the saw will cut just to the scrap side of your mark. Hold the molding against the back of the miter box, as shown above. Grasp it tightly so it will not slide as you cut it. As an alternative, use a power miter saw or radial-arm saw.
Molding Combination
Several types of molding may be used in a single setting. Additionally, the moldings may be joined in a variety of ways. The drawing shows several examples.
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