How To Put Down Quarter Round

In this post I'll prove yous how to install quarter circular molding (or shoe molding, or baseboards) with just a few simple tools.

Whether yous've just installed completely new floors or are simply updating your trim, function of the projection is installing new baseboards or molding.

Quarter round is a perfect, uncomplicated option for bridging the gap between your floors and the walls for a make clean and finished look. You can also go a fancier route with all kinds of elaborate molding, but for the purpose of this tutorial I'g just using good old fashioned quarter round.

Now, most tutorials you'll find online will tell you to smash the molding in place with a pneumatic nailer. But, if you're a normal person similar me and not a construction worker, you don't simply take a pneumatic nailer laying around. Not only are they pricey to buy, but they're a hurting to rent because there are so many unlike parts you need to go (nailer, air compressor, special nails, etc.).

The good news is, you tin complete your baseboard installation with just a hammer and nails and one more magical tool: a nail prepare.

Tools And Materials To Install Quarter Circular Molding

• Hack saw (many other types of saws will piece of work too, but a hack saw is quick and like shooting fish in a barrel)
• Hammer
• Finishing nails
• Nail gear up
• Latex sealant/caulk

How To Install Quarter Round Molding Without A Smash Gun

A nail set up is a simple tool that looks just like a pencil, but made out of metallic. Instead of hammering your finishing nails all the way into the molding, which would effect in an ugly, hammer-shaped dent, y'all're going to hammer them nearly all the style in, then finish the job with the smash set.

Step 1: Cut molding

You can use whatsoever kind of saw you're comfortable with to cut quarter round molding; since it's pretty easy to cutting by hand, I used a simple hack saw.

Stride 2: Lay molding against wall, affluent with the floor

Information technology's okay if there are small gaps betwixt the molding and the wall; you're going to make full those in subsequently with sealant. It'due south better to pay attention to laying the molding nice and flat confronting the flooring.

Footstep 3: Hammer your finishing nail almost all the way into the wall

Always blast baseboards into the wall—never the floor. It's easiest to hammer if you bending your boom slightly downward rather than trying to boom directly in.

Hammer with conviction! You're less likely to miss and dent your baseboard if you take a few expert, solid whacks rather than if y'all're taking a dozen tiny hits to move the smash in. This comes with practice, and I still haven't mastered it.

End hammering when at that place'due south nigh 1/eight of an inch of the nail even so sticking out of the wall.

Step 4: Use the blast set to drive the smash the balance of the way in

Line upwardly the tip of the nail ready with the acme of your nail. Nail sets come in different sizes; you want one that's just a tiny chip smaller than your nailhead.

Now, apply the hammer on the nail fix to drive the boom the rest of the way into the wall. This function takes some practice and yous'll probably miss a few times at beginning! You might want to do on a spare piece of plywood until you get the hang of it.

Yous're done once you've driven the smash but beneath the surface of your baseboard. Proceed driving your nails about two feet apart along the length of the baseboard.

Footstep 5: Finish with sealant

Apply a tube of bones indoor/outdoor sealant or caulk to close the gap betwixt the baseboard and the wall. Don't worry if it's coming out of the tube a little sloppy–the best tool for getting a smooth, perfect seal is your finger. Once yous've practical the sealant, run your (make clean) finger over the top to smooth information technology out. Wipe off whatever excess with a paper towel.

Step 6: Comprehend nail heads

If you've done a adept chore with your nail fix, your nail heads are barely noticeable. Nonetheless, you want to make them even more invisible by putting a dab of sealant over the top of them. If it's a bit messy, that'due south okay; you can sand information technology down in one case the sealant dries.

Annotation—this whole procedure is easiest if you use white baseboards and white sealant, because everything simply blends perfectly. Otherwise, if they're different colors (like natural wood baseboards) you'll have to paint it all to match at the end.

Voila! Beautiful, clean looking baseboards.

It'southward really not hard at all once you get going. I started on the wall backside our bed only in instance I had any major screw-ups, which was a great style to become the hang of information technology earlier moving on to more visible walls.

New molding takes an unfinished room and makes it experience clean and polished! To see what led up to this bespeak, check out my full post on installing laminate floors.

Do y'all take a home renovation project you've been dreaming of? Allow me assist you get started! Download my complimentary DIY Project Checklist to programme and execute your project, hassle free.

Source: https://www.cabanastateofmind.com/how-to-install-quarter-round-molding-with-a-hammer-and-nails/

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