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Homeowners face problems while installing baseboard molding – especially on uneven floors. I will show you how to install baseboard molding on uneven floors.
You will be able to close gaps on floors that are not straight. Some corners of the walls are not perfectly square. As a result, it is harder to make a clean angle.
If you follow these steps, you will get professional-looking results and save yourself from hours of frustration.
Read on for a step by step guide to help you install baseboard molding on an uneven floor.
6 Easy Steps for Installing Baseboard Molding on Uneven Floor
Step 1: Grab the tools
Before starting the work, you will need to gather the tools to install your baseboard molding.
Tools
- optional: brad nail gun – Buy on Amazon >
- caulking gun
- putty knife
- carpenter’s level
- Sandpaper
- semi-gloss paint, or eggshell paint
- shop vacuum
- gloves
Materials
- baseboards, vinyl for flexibility, or wood
- paintable caulk
- painter’s tape
- paint, gloss or eggshell for baseboards
For cutting wood baseboards
- miter box with saw
- Or a circular saw setup for large projects
- marking knife or pencil
- carpenter’s square
Step 2: Prep the Baseboards
When you buy the baseboards, get 7/16 inch made of polystyrene or wood. Their thinness has better fit against the wall because they are more flexible.
Best Baseboard for Uneven Walls and Floor
If your walls are very curved and floors have lots of uneven areas, you can use vinyl wall baseboards. It’s the most flexible of all and will be easy to install.
You will need to use Wall Base Adhesive to attach the vinyl baseboard.
Now, measure each wall and mark the baseboard.
Use a carpenter’s level to measure the baseboards on uneven floors. You want the level to be straight.
Cut at 45-degrees for bends, and 90-degrees for ends. Use the miter box or a circular saw.
Step 3: Attach the baseboard on the wall
To place the baseboard on the uneven floor, use a carpenter’s level to measure it straight.
Then use the brad nail gun to nail it in place. You can also use a hammer and nail, but the nail gun will make it quick.
If you’re working with vinyl base molding, use a wall base adhesive.
Step 4: Optional, Install Quarter Rounds
If the floors have only slight gaps, you can install quarter rounds or shoe molding. They are flexible enough to close small unevenness.
Measure the length you need and mark it with a pencil. Use the miter box to cut 45-degree or 90-degree angles.
Grab your nail gun and nail at a 45-degree angle. You can add an extra nail for small bends.
Step 5: Fill in the uneven gaps
You can skip this step if you used a vinyl wall base because its flexibility would have covered the unevenness.
Grab your caulk gun and paintable caulk. It’s time to attack the uneven gaps.
Run the caulk in the gaps. Wear your gloves. Dip a finger in the water bowl and run the wet finger on the caulk bead to smooth it out.
You can also use wall spackling. It’s better because of no cracking or shrinking.
Wait for the caulk or spackling to dry.
Then use sandpaper to smooth out any uneven spots.
Step 6: Paint the baseboards
After you’re done with the installation, use painter’s tape on the floor and walls next to the baseboards. This gives you smooth edges and an easy paint job.
Use semi-gloss paint or eggshell on your baseboards so that stains are easy to clean.
Or you can take the opportunity to remove the paint and refinish the baseboard with a new paint job.
Takeaway
That’s how you can install baseboard molding on uneven floors.
Once the clean up is done, you’re rewarded with professional-looking baseboards that forgive minor floor imperfections.
If there is severe unevenness that cannot be fixed with the steps above, you will want to fix the floor first. The recommendation is that you get a professional to inspect the quality of the house’s foundation.
Related:
How to Remove Polyurethane from Wood without Removing the Stain
How to Remove Mold from Painted Walls – 2 Easy Ways
