By Alexander Georges ·
Update Baseboards and Trim
New flooring with old, dinged-up baseboards looks unfinished. Fresh baseboards complete the transformation and hide the expansion gap between flooring and walls.
Time Required
4-8 hours
Cost
$100-$500
Difficulty
Moderate
Installation Steps
Remove old baseboards
Score the paint line with a utility knife first, then pry gently with a flat bar. Place a thin scrap of wood behind the bar to protect the wall from dents.
Measure and cut
Measure each wall individually, rarely are opposite walls exactly the same length. Inside corners get a coped joint. Outside corners get a 45° miter on each piece.
Nail into place
Use a brad nailer or finish nails. Nail into wall studs at the bottom and top of the baseboard. A stud finder saves guesswork.
Fill, caulk, and paint
Fill nail holes with wood filler, caulk the top seam where baseboard meets wall, and apply two coats of semi-gloss paint. Caulking hides wavy walls.
Popular Baseboard Styles
- Colonial: Classic curved profile, works with traditional and transitional rooms ($0.80-$2.00/ft)
- Craftsman/Square: Clean flat profile with slight bevel, suits modern and farmhouse styles ($0.60-$1.50/ft)
- MDF primed: Budget-friendly, paintable, consistent finish. Won't warp like wood ($0.50-$1.00/ft)
- Tall baseboards (5.25"+): Make rooms feel more upscale. The taller the baseboard, the more formal the room feels
Pro Tips
- •Paint before installing: Pre-paint baseboards on sawhorses for a smoother finish, then just touch up nail holes after installation.
- •Cope inside corners: Coped joints look better than miters on inside corners because walls are rarely perfectly square. It takes practice but gives a tight fit.
- •Add quarter-round or shoe molding: A small molding piece at the base covers any remaining gap between baseboard and flooring, especially on uneven floors.