Baseboards are a simple and effective way to enhance the look and feel of your walls and floors. They also protect the wall from scratches and dents and conceal any gaps or flaws. However, installing baseboards can be tricky when it comes to cutting and joining them at the corners. If you don’t do it right, you may end up with unsightly gaps, cracks, or misaligned edges that ruin the appearance of your baseboards.
Fortunately, there are some easy techniques that can help you cut and join baseboards for flawless corners. In this post, we will show you how to do it using a milter saw a coping saw, and some basic tools. Let’s get started!

What you will Need
-Baseboards, Milter Saw, Coping Saw, Tape measure, Hammer, Nails, Wood glue, Wood filler, Sandpaper, Paint, or Stain.
How to cut baseboards for Inside Corners
Inside corners are the most common type of corners you will encounter when installing baseboards. They are formed by two walls that meet at a right angle. To cut baseboards for inside corners, you have two options: a milter joint or a coped joint.
Milter Joint
A milter joint is when you cut both baseboards at a 45-degree angle and fit them together at the corner. This is the simplest way to cut baseboards for inside corners, but it may not work well if your walls are not perfectly square or if your baseboards have a complex profile.
To make a milter joint, follow these steps:
- Measure the length of the wall where you want to install the first baseboard and mark it on the back of the baseboard.
- Set your milter saw to 45 degrees and cut the baseboard from the baseboard form the back side. Make sure the longer side of the baseboard is in the corner.
- Measure the length of the wall where you want to install the second baseboard and mark it on the back of the baseboard.
- Set your milter saw to 45 degrees and cut the baseboard from the baseboard from the back side. Make sure the longer side if the baseboard is on the inside of the corner.
- Fit the two baseboards together in the corner and check for gaps or cracks. If there are any, you may need to adjust your cuts or use wood filler to fill them.
Coped Joint
A coped joint is when you cut one baseboard straight and fit it into the corner, and then cut the other baseboard along its profile to match the shape of the first one. This is a more accurate way to cut baseboards for inside corners, especially if your walls are not square or if your baseboards have a detailed profile. This technique works well for laminate baseboards as well as other materials.
To make a coped joint, follow these steps:
- Measure the length of the wall where you want to install the first baseboard and mark it on the back of the baseboard.
- Cut the baseboard straight at 90 degrees using your milter saw.
- Fit the baseboard into the corner and nail it into place.
- Measure the length of the wall where you want to install the second baseboard and mark it on the back of the baseboard.
- Set your milter saw to 45 degrees and cut the baseboard from the front side. Make sure you cut on the opposite side of where you want to join it with the first baseboard.
- Use your coping saw to cut along the profile of the baseboard following the 45-degree cut line. You want to remove all the wood that would be behind this line if you were looking at it from above.
- Test fit the second baseboard with the first one and cracks. If there are any, you may need to adjust your cuts or use wood filler to fill them.
How to Cut Baseboard for Outside Corners
Outside corners are formed by two walls that meet at an angle that is less than 90 degrees. To cut baseboards for outside corners, you will need to use a milter joint.
Milter joint
A milter joint is when you cut both baseboards at an angle that matches half of the angle of your corner. For example, if your corner is 135 degrees, you will need to cut both baseboards at 67.5 degrees.
To make a milter joint, follow these steps:
- Measure the angle of your corner using a protractor or an angle finder. Divide the angle by two to get the angle you need to cut your baseboards.
- Measure the length of the wall where you want to install the first baseboard and mark it on the back of the baseboard.
- Set your milter saw to the angle you calculated and cut the baseboard from the back side. Make sure the baseboard forms the back side. Make sure the longer side of the baseboard is on the inside of the corner.
- Measure the length of the wall where you want to install the second baseboard and mark it on the back of the baseboard.
- Set your milter saw to the same angle as before and cut the baseboard from the back side. Make sure the longer side of the baseboard is on the outside of the corner.
- Fit the two baseboards together in the corner and check for gaps or cracks. If there are any, you may need to adjust your cuts or use wood filler to fill them.
How to join Baseboards
Once you have cut your baseboards for your corners, you will need to join them together and secure them to the wall. Here are some tips on how to do that:
-Apply some wood glue to the joints before fitting them together. This will help create a stronger bond and prevent gaps or cracks.
-Use a nail gun or a hammer and nails to attach your baseboards to the wall. Make sure you nail into the studs or use an anchor if you are nailing into drywall.
-Use a nail set or punch to drive the nails heads below the surface of the wood. This will make them less visible and prevent them from catching on to anything.
-Use wood filler or caulk to fill any gaps or cracks between your baseboards and your walls or floors. This will create a smooth and seamless finish.
-Sand any rough edges or excess filler with sandpaper until smooth.
-Paint or stain your baseboards as desired. You can use a brush, a roller, or a sprayer depending on your preference and the type of paint or style you are using.
Cutting and joining baseboards for flawless corners can be challenging, but with some practice and patience, you can achieve professional results. By following these steps and tips, you can transform your walls and floors with beautiful baseboards that add style and elegance to your home.
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