Installing Moulding Home Improvement Project - Preparation

Just like most other home projects, preparation is the first and most time consuming step. The area where the new moulding is to go should be clean, dry and smooth. In addition to that, the new moulding will likely need sanded and finished as well.

Along with the moulding itself, you'll need a mitre box, cope saw, clamps and a couple of boxes of finishing nails. You will also need the stain, paint or other finishing materials.

There are a variety of mitre box styles to choose from, but they all perform the same function. They allow you to hold and cut pieces at specific angles. This tool will be necessary for any pieces that require joint cuts, which are usually 45 degrees.

You'll need to allow some extra for losses from cutting when making your room measurements. Seems are created when you make it longer. In the corners of the room, or where pieces of moulding do not extend the entire length of the room, pieces will have 45 degree joints.

Corner pieces are the most difficult to join evenly, so pay close attention to detail in these areas. There are a couple of tips for making it easier on yourself, though. One way is to end the pieces before they reach the corner.

The shorter wall pieces will then join with pre-made corner pieces, which are often rounded. Or you could just fit the pieces in the corner as good as you can and fill in any gaps with wood putty. Careful sanding is required to hide this.

If your corners are not fitting together correctly, it could be that the room itself is out of square. No house is built exactly square and level.

Pieces can be joined together either with glue or by using finishing nails near the end of the piece. To avoid nailing into another nail, alternate the level at which you put them in. if you do hammer into the nail on the joining piece, you could increase the risk of cracking.

Cracking can occur anytime you nail into the end of a piece. Try to put pressure on the piece while nailing, this will decrease the chances of the wood expanding outward, causing a crack.

If you need to make small adjustment cuts to get the pieces to fit together better, a cope saw will come in handy. You'll never achieve that professional looking fit with uneven, gouged cuts on your joint pieces.

You may also need to sand the pieces, depending on which style of trim you choose. You'll want several different grades of paper, including very fine. Sanding should always be done in the same direction as the wood grain. Use a damp cloth to wipe away any excess sawdust to prepare for staining or painting.

Install the pieces only after they have been finished. Fill in any gouges or blemishes with putty. After it dries, sand it and wipe it down with a damp cloth. Always allow it to dry completely.

Depending on the look you are going for, finishes can be paint, stain or varnish. Different kinds of finishes are recommended for different kinds of wood. An example of this is oak, which is typically stained or varnished instead of painted. For painted finishes, plan one primer coat and one finish coat.

As with many other types of remodeling projects, plan on tackling this job during a period of moderate temperatures and low humidity. These are the most favorable conditions for using glues and finishes. For obvious safety reasons, you'll need plenty of ventilation while working on this project.

         

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