How to Install Wide Baseboard Trim

Six Inch Baseboard Trim Molding

Introduction:

In most new home construction contractors use standard 3 ¼ inch trim for baseboard trim molding and 2 ½ inch for doorway and window trim. This works fine and it is inexpensive to purchase. It comes in solid or finger-jointed pieces and is made from pine, hard wood or particle board. More discerning home owners prefer something a little different such as a wider baseboard floor molding. A wider baseboard trim is especially attractive in larger homes with tall ceilings.

How to install wide baseboard trim molding:

As an alternative to the standard 3 ¼ inch baseboard trim, 6 inch or taller baseboard trim has become very popular. The wider baseboard trim can be purchased from 5 to 12 inches in height with several different designs features.

The trend today is a height of at least 5 ¼ inches for 8 foot ceiling heights. Taller trim should be considered for higher ceilings. Baseboard trim smaller than 5 ¼ inches looks a little tacky in homes with tall ceilings.

The thickness of the base depends on the type of flooring in the home. Carpet flooring is rarely an issue when it comes to installing baseboards but wood flooring requires a gap at the walls for expansion and contraction. The base should be thick enough to hide the gap or base shoe piece may be added for additional thickness along the flooring.

Purchasing ready-made wide baseboard trim molding is expensive however; there is another alternative that the DIY homeowner should be aware of when it comes to installing baseboard molding. If you are building your own home, adding an addition or remodeling, you can use a wider baseboard trim that does not cost an arm and a leg.

I recommend that the baseboard trim be made from standard 6 inch boards, which measures 5 ½ inches wide and is ¾ inches thick. The ¾ inch will cover the wall gap on wood flooring without using a shoe base. Once the 6 inch base is installed, install a shoe base on top of it. This will provide an attractive baseboard that is quite attractive in appearance and work well for most decorating schemes.

When installing the 6 inch base molding, undercut the jointing pieces so you get a real tight fit (no coping required). Add the shoe base to the top of the 6 inch boards by cutting the ends with a coping cut.

As an option for wood floors add quarter round to the bottom of the baseboard. It really gives it a professional and elegant look.

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