The intersection between the wall and the ground forms a 90-degree angle, and most people like to hide it because it improves the appeal of the place. Instead of leaving this joint open, it is covered by the wood called baseboard. Using this board at the base of the wall is not only for aesthetics alone. We’ll see some of the uses as we continue.
Cutting these boards presents many options; from the tools to use to the board style, you are not limited to a few options. When it comes to cutting the baseboards, you can make use of power tools or the more delicate handheld tools.
While cutting baseboards can be pretty straightforward if you require a basic design, cutting the corners is where it gets a little tricky. This is because you want the two edges to lap perfectly for it to satisfy one of its primary purposes: a pleasing corner.
Making an aesthetically pleasing baseboard is an art, and mastery comes with practice. Cutting the corners perfectly is one of the easiest ways to improve the look immediately.
There are different ways you can cut baseboard corners, most of which are more effective when using different tools.
Learning how to cut baseboard corners is a fantastic skill to have. Oftentimes, people cut baseboard corners that do not lap comfortably against each other or are simply not at the right angle.
This guide shows you how to utilize different tools to cut baseboard corners that are a perfect match at the corners of your building.
Why Use Baseboards?
Why do we even consider covering the base of the walls with boards? Is that even necessary, and are we better off without these boards? These questions are bound to come up, especially if you’re trying to avoid the hassles of learning how to cut baseboard corners.
One of the major reasons people use baseboards is to hide the joint between the wall and the floor, which can be unsightly. This makes baseboards perfect for improving the appeal of the room.
Aside from their aesthetic appeal, baseboards also help to protect the wall from moisture. The base of the wall is prone to a lot of moisture, especially from cleaning or spilled moisture. The board protects this area and ensures that the moisture does not reach the wall.
The walls are also protected from physical damage from things like vacuum cleaners and golf balls. Dirt also finds it difficult to reach the base of the wall when it is protected with baseboards. Without it, they easily attach to the base of the walls and, with time, become an eyesore.
How to Cut Baseboard Corners?
As mentioned earlier, you can use power or handheld tools when cutting the corners of your baseboard. Not everybody can afford to get a number of these tools, so having several options helps you utilize whatever tool you may have in your garden shed to make your corners. The tool you use should depend on your available options and style.
Here are ways to cut these board corners using different tools:
1. Using Miter Saw
Using a miter saw is one of the best ways to cut baseboard corners. Miter Saw is great for cutting 90-degree angles, which are the desired angles for baseboards. It is easy to make miter angles which help the edges of the boards to perfectly overlap each other and create a clean corner.
Miter saws make cutting crosscut angles look like a piece of cake with the help of their adjustable angle settings and their crosscut blade with many teeth.
Step 1: Measure And Mark Direction of Cut
Measure the wall using your tape measure to get the precise positions. Use a pencil to make the direction of the cut, whether inside corner to outside corner or any possible combination. Making outside edges requires the board length to be longer than the wall, so you must consider this when taking measurements.
Measure the angles of the corners before marking. They would typically be 90 degrees which means you have to mark 45-degree cuts on the edges of the boards depending on the side of the board to be cut.
Step 2: Set The Angle of The Saw
Depending on how you position the board, the angle you adjust may differ. For boards placed on the base of the wall, you’ll be making a miter angle adjustment. Whereas the boards placed on the floor will require bevel angle adjustments.
Step 3: Cut
Arrange the baseboard in the same way as you would on the wall, with the miter saw fence acting as the wood and the saw table as the floor. Clamp it or hold it down, so it doesn’t shake while making your cut.
Place the blade on your marked edges and power the saw. Leave the saw to power fully before making a smooth cut along your measurement line.
Do this for the next piece paying attention to the direction of the cut till you’ve made all the angles you need. Clean the cut area using a hand sander if it is too rough.
2. Using Table Saw
A table saw is an alternative to a miter saw. Since many people do not have a miter saw, having a table saw can suffice in cutting baseboard corners.
Step 1: Measure and Cut Length of Board
Measure the wall and consider whether you’ll be making an inside or outside corner. Typically, outside corners require the board to be longer than the wall. Place the board on the table saw and cut the length into smaller pieces that fit each wall area.
Step 2: Mark Line of Cut
Measure the angle of the wall corners and then mark half of those angles on the edges of the boards paying attention to the sides to be cut. The table saw will struggle to make 45-degree cuts.
Step 3: Cut
Place the board on the table saw and cut following the marked lines. Ensure you make a smooth cut by allowing the blade to do the cutting without adding a lot of pressure to it. Simply moving the board across the board is enough pressure.
3. Using Jigsaw
Jigsaws are another alternative you can use to make the corners of your baseboards. Like the table saw, the jigsaw is unsuitable for making 45-degree angles on the board.
Step 1: Measure and Mark the Center of the Baseboard
Using a ruler, measure the board’s depth and mark the center. While marking the centerline, add a small difference of about a ¼” back to help the blade make clean cuts without chopping off the edges.
Step 2: Cut The Length
Place the board on the jigsaw with the waterside facing up. Put on the jigsaw and allow it to come up to full speed before gently passing the blade through the board. Use the jigsaw to cut the length of the boards with the help of your marked points. The length should allow each board for each wall.
4. Using Circular Saw
You can use a circular saw to cut corners of baseboards for your walls. This tool is quite common in most sheds. You can use the circular saw without more precise tools such as the miter saw. Since circular saws are mostly handheld, you can even make miter angles with them.
Step 1: Measure And Cut The Length
Using any measuring tool, take the length of the wall while considering the type of corner and needed length to cover it. Outside corners need longer boards. Pass the circular saw through the marked points and cut the board down to size.
Step 2: Measure The Angle And Mark
Measure the angle of the wall and mark half of it on the board edge, depending on how you want to place it. Typically, the wall corners will be 90 degrees and would require 45-degree cuts. However, you should confirm this first before marking it with a pencil.
Step 3: Cut The Miter Angle
Being a handheld saw makes it easier to position it at any angle. Hold the saw steady and place it by the edge and on the marked lone. Allow the saw to come up to full speed before carefully passing it through the drawn line. Make the cuts for all the corners of the baseboard pieces.
Summary
Baseboards can be plain or designed with a lot of markings and curves, but one thing is certain; it needs to lap against each other by the corners for them to be appealing.
By learning how to cut the corners, you’ll always make perfectly fitting baseboard corners. Luckily, you can make use of several tools if you do not have a miter saw available.
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