How to Install 1×6 Board as Baseboard Trim

Butt Cuts or Coped Cuts for Installing 1×6 Board as Baseboard Trim

By Mark J. Donovan




Question: Mark, I watched your video on coping baseboard trim. Great video! I am about to install 1″x6″ board as baseboard trim and I was wondering if there was a way to cope it as well? I have quite a bit of baseboard trim to install for a beginner, but HomeAdditionPlus.com has made it much, much easier for me to tackle.

My diy project is to install wainscoting frames (no panels) on various walls using rails, stiles, and of course baseboard trim.

Answer: K.N., If the 1″x6″ board is some type of actual baseboard trim (e.g. includes some kind of scroll edge), then yes you can cope cut it the same way I show in my video on “How to Cope Inside Corners with a Coping Saw“.

If, on the other hand, it is straight board with no scroll design, which I presume it is, then just make square cuts and butt one end up to the other to form your joints.

Make sure, however, to undercut the ends ever so slightly so that when you butt the adjacent ends up to each other they form a tight fit. Also, if you are using straight boards you may want to put a shoe trim piece on top of the 1×6 board baseboard trim for added aesthetics. If you do add a shoe trim piece, then you should cope cut the shoe trim pieces, but again only butt fit the straight 1X6 boards. Good luck.


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