Page 292 - 2018 National Home Improvement

2018 National Home Improvement Estimator, All Rights Reserved Page 238

Interior Trim
Many older homes have trim styles no longer available at building material dealers. Matching trim
exactly may require expensive custom fabrication. Try to remove trim in salvage condition so it can be
re-installed. If trim is damaged or if you have to move doors or windows, it may be easier to replace all
the trim in the room rather than try to match existing trim.

Keep in mind that trim work requires a very high level of carpentry skill. Trim needs to be essentially
perfect, sloppy joints and visible nail heads won’t do. Don’t ask a rough carpenter to do trim work – the
results will be a disappointment. If trim is going to be painted, select a trim made of extruded polymer,
ponderosa pine or northern white pine, or primed MDF. Highly decorative cast trim is another good
choice if trim will be painted. Most natural finish trim in modern homes is pine or oak. These woods can
be very attractive if they’re nicely finished.

Casing
Casing is the interior edge trim for door and window openings. Modern casing patterns vary in width from
2-1/4” to 3-1/2” and in thickness from 1/2” to 3/4”. Install casing about 3/16” back from the face of the
door or window jamb. Nail with 6d or 7d casing or finishing nails, depending on thickness of the casing.
Space nails in pairs about 16” apart, nailing to both jambs and framing. Casing with molded forms
requires mitered joints, while rectangular casing can be butt-joined.

Baseboard
Finish the joint between the wall and floor with baseboard. Figure 10-12 shows several sizes and forms
of baseboard. Two-piece base consists of a baseboard topped with a small base cap. The cap covers
any gap caused by irregularities in the wall finish. Base shoe is nailed into the subfloor and covers
irregularities in the finished floor. Drywall walls seldom need a base cap. Carpeted floors hide variations
in the floor and make base shoe unnecessary.

Install square-edged baseboard with butt joints at inside corners and mitered joints at outside corners.
Nail at each stud with two 8d finishing nails. Molded base, base cap, and base shoe require a coped
joint at inside corners and a mitered joint at outside corners. See Figure 10-13.

Other Molding
Ceiling molding may be strictly decorative or may be used to hide the joint where the wall and ceiling
meet. Use crown molding to cover the gap where wood paneling meets the ceiling. Attach crown
molding with finishing nails driven into upper wall plates. Wide crown molding should be nailed both to
the wall plate and the ceiling joists.