Carpenters - installing baseboard molding on inside corners?

Question

On a couple of sites online it shows to cope baseboard on inside corners. Wouldn't cutting the inside corners at a 45 degree angle inside cut do the same thing? Here is an article that shows to cope the baseboard:

http://www.homedepotmoving.com/proj_article_page.do?action=GetProjArtcilePage&projId=204

Please help!! I'm going to install molding next week!!
Should I paint the molding AFTER I have everything cut to the correct size?

Answer 1

I have done both... when you cut a 45 and then cope the inside edge you get a tighter fit and more professional looking... You can just cut the 45 and go from there if you are in a hurry. It will take some time if you have alot of corners to do.

Also yes prefit all the pieces then take them out and then paint it will be much quicker and cleaner that way. You wont have to tape off the wall or the floor...

good luck

Answer 2

45's are easier but the problem is when the walls join its not always, well usually never, a perfect 90 degree angle. So when you put your perfect 45 degree angle baseboards together there will be a gap on the wall. This isnt so bad. You can Just caulk this gap with good elastic caulk. Just fill the gap with the caulk and use a wet finger ( makes smooth finish) to the caulk.
Coping is much better because the board just slides on the face and fits flat to the wall and the other board. Coping does take longer but its all up to you.
Honestly 45 is the faster way.

The painting thing. A neet trick to do is to but the heavy brown paper used for a lot of applications. We use it when we are in a house for awhile with heavy traffic to keep the floors from getting messed. So people use it to wrap packages. ANYWAYS put this under the baseboard before installation ( cut it to width so you dont waste then paint the baseboards and dont bleed the paint heavy on the paper but when drips hit the paper brush it out on the paper so it dries fast. When your done let the paint dry, and if you dry brushed the bottom edge good enough when you pull the paper out the paint wont fall down from the base board. Another way if the baseboard is already down just use tape on the floor.
While painting it then installing might sound great it takes longer. And when you put up the base boards you have to touch up the areas.

Jacobs Ladder Carpentry
Richmond, VA

Answer 3

Either way will work, but coping gives a better fit as most inside corners are not a true 90 degree angle, and there will most likely be a gap in the joint. If you do get a gap, spackling paste will fill it.
I prime and paint my molding prior to cutting and installing same, and do the minor paint touch up after the installation.

Answer 4

YES -- the 45 degree angle is ok to do this.

Paint? YES, paint the cut edges (if the whole Baseboard is painted) PRIOR to installation -- because then the cut will seem to "disappear" from sight.

Answer 5

While cutting the joints at 45's will work it is a much neater, more accurate joint by coping.

Prime the wood before making your cuts to make it easier, put it into place and cover the fastener (nail) hole if any, and then put a finish coat of paint on.

Answer 6

Whether you cut and fit by either method you will have a raw edge to paint or finish. You will probably get a better finish if you cut and fit first then paint or finish then install.

Answer 7

its better to cope since the corners are 100% 45 so when you cope you don't have to play with each corner extra time

Answer 8

yes to the 45 and absolutly to the paint after cutting and b4 installing, then you just have to tuch-up the nail mards...good luck

Answer 9

45s work if your wall is square to begin with..