How to Install Baseboard on Stairs
Your stairs are installed and now you have decided that you want to install a baseboard on your stairs. Here is a ‘how to’ guide on baseboard installation that might be of help to you.
Required Materials
Wood Putty
Baseboard
Required Tools
Coping Saw
Finish Nails
Mitre saw
Hammer
Measuring Tape
Instructions
First, measure the stairs to figure out how much baseboard you are going to need. You should add ten percent to your measurement so that you will have a bit of extra material in the event that you make mistakes, which can happen to anyone. The last thing you want to happen is to run out of baseboard material when you’re only halfway up the staircase!
When you purchase the baseboard, you are going to have many different types of materials to choose from. Not all baseboards are created alike. You should be certain that the baseboard is high quality and made from a durable material. You will also want to make sure that it matches the room where the stairs are located. For example, don’t select sandalwood baseboard if your floors are a dark wood. Keep in mind that you can always paint your baseboards if you are aiming for a particular color scheme.
If you do want to paint the baseboards, make sure to buy the paint and finish before you leave the store. Painting the baseboards after they are installed is much harder than painting and finishing them before you install them on your stairs.
When choosing your baseboards, do your best to buy your trim in lengths that won’t require a lot of splicing when you start the installation process. You can’t really avoid splices, but your stairs will look better if there are fewer splices.
When you get home, you will want to pre-drill your nail holes into the baseboard before attaching it to the wall. This will keep the wood from splitting. Begin at either the top or bottom of your staircase and work from there.
When attaching your shoe molding, remember that it attaches to the baseboard, not to the floor.
The design of your staircase baseboard is up to you. Some people install baseboard only along the wall by the horizontal part of each step. Others prefer to “trace” their stair case with baseboard. If you decide to “trace” the stairs, corner blocks are easier to cut. If you don’t mind a more complicated cut, you can install your baseboard to create a straight line down the wall. This involves working with angular cuts and can be very complicated.
You should also consider using shoe molding to give your baseboards a finished look. Shoe molding is trim that is flexible and can be bent to fit the contours of your floor, making the transition from floor to baseboard easier on the eye.
Fitting baseboard onto your staircase is a matter of personal choice. Some people prefer not to have baseboards on their stairs at all, though they can add a nice decorative touch to your home.