Alexei Volkov
Installing plastic quarter rounds is a great way to add a stylish finishing touch to your room. Quarter rounds are a type of shoe molding that covers gaps between the floor and baseboards. They can be painted or stained to match the room's aesthetic. In this discussion, we will explore the steps involved in installing plastic quarter rounds, including measuring, cutting, and attaching the moldings to create a cohesive and polished look in your space.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Covering gaps between the floor and baseboards, adding a finished look to a room |
| Installation tools | Gartol Ratchet Miter Shears, Gartol non-Ratcheting Miter Shears, miter chop saw, nail gun, compressor, caulk, nails, hammer, sandpaper, wood putty, paint, tape measure |
| Installation steps | Measure the wall space, cut the quarter rounds, paint or stain the quarter rounds, attach the quarter rounds to the baseboards with nails or adhesive caulk |
| Angles | 45-degree angle for outside corners, 46-degree angle if the outside corner is not a 90-degree angle, inside corners should be coped or use a corner block |
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What You'll Learn
Planning and measuring
Planning
Before starting the installation, it's important to understand the purpose of quarter rounds. They are used to cover gaps between your floor and baseboards, adding a finished look to your room. Quarter rounds are typically installed after laying laminate or hardwood flooring. The purpose of the quarter round is to cover the expansion gap around the walls, which can also be covered with a baseboard.
Measuring
To ensure a precise installation, follow these measuring steps:
- Measure your wall space: Use a tape measure to determine the length of each wall where you plan to install the quarter rounds. Record these measurements, as they will guide you in purchasing the appropriate amount of molding.
- Outline the room: Draw a simple outline of the room on paper, noting the length of each wall. This visual representation will assist you in visualizing the installation and ensuring you have the necessary materials.
- Choose the molding material: Select a molding material that complements your flooring or baseboards. You can choose bare wood quarter rounds and stain them to match hardwood floors, or opt for primed quarter rounds that can be painted to match the baseboard.
- Measure and cut the quarter rounds: Measure the length of each wall and cut the quarter rounds accordingly. It's recommended to cut them slightly longer than your measurement and then trim thin slices until they fit tightly. Remember to consider the type of angles you'll be working with—inside and outside corners—and cut the quarter rounds at the appropriate angles for a tight fit.
By taking your time with the planning and measuring stages, you'll set yourself up for a successful installation of plastic quarter rounds, creating a polished look in your space.
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Choosing the right tools
- Measuring Tape: Start by measuring the bottom of each wall to determine the required length of the plastic quarter rounds. A measuring tape allows you to accurately measure the dimensions and plan the layout. Mark the measurements and draw an outline of the room to visualise the installation.
- Miter Saw: A miter saw, such as a chop saw, is highly recommended for making accurate cuts on the plastic quarter rounds. It allows you to cut the material to the required length and create precise angles. Chop saws often have preset angles, making it easier to cut at common angles like 45 degrees and 22.5 degrees. Remember to use a sharp carbide tip blade for clean cuts and a smooth finish.
- Safety Gear: When working with power tools and cutting plastic, it is crucial to prioritise your safety. Always wear protective gear, including ear muffs to protect your hearing, goggles to shield your eyes from debris, and a dust mask to prevent inhalation of harmful dust and particles.
- Nail Gun and Compressor: For attaching the plastic quarter rounds to the baseboards, a nail gun is highly efficient and provides a secure installation. The nails will hold the plastic quarter rounds in place. If you plan to install a significant amount of plastic quarter rounds, investing in a nail gun and compressor can be cost-effective.
- Nails and Adhesives: Standard nails, such as thin finishing nails, are used in conjunction with the nail gun. Predrill holes into the baseboard at regular intervals (approximately every 12 inches) to ensure a secure fit. Additionally, adhesives like caulk, construction adhesive, or liquid nails can be used for a stronger bond and to fill in any gaps.
- Sandpaper and Putty: After installing the plastic quarter rounds, you may need to touch up the work. Sandpaper helps smooth out any uneven sections, providing a seamless finish. Wood putty or matching putty can be used to fill in small gaps, especially when working with wood grain quarter rounds.
Having the right tools will make the installation process smoother and help you achieve a professional-looking result.
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Cutting the plastic quarter round
Cutting plastic quarter rounds require a few tools and some careful measurements. The purpose of installing quarter rounds is to cover the expansion gap between the floor and baseboards, adding a finished look to the room. Quarter rounds are typically cut at a 45-degree angle, but angles may vary depending on the corners of the room.
First, measure the bottom of each wall to determine the required length of the plastic quarter round. It is recommended to use quarter rounds that are already close to the length of your room, which are available in 8-foot and 16-foot lengths. Mark the angle you need to cut on the quarter round using a pencil. A miter box can be used to secure the quarter round in place while cutting. If you are working with plastic, use miter shears, which have special degree markings and a sharp utility blade to cut the plastic quarter round at the desired angle. You can also use a miter chop saw, which usually has the angles preset, making it easier to cut at common angles like 45 degrees and 22.5 degrees. Remember to wear protective gear, such as gloves, eye protection, and a dust mask, especially when working with plastic, as the dust can be harmful.
When cutting the plastic quarter round, it is important to cut it slightly longer than your measurement, about 1/8 inch or 3 mm longer. This allows for a tight fit, and you can always cut off thin slices until it fits perfectly. This is important because walls are rarely perfectly straight, so you may need to make adjustments. Always exercise caution when using cutting tools and saws, and ensure you have the necessary safety equipment.
For inside corners, the quarter-round can be coped, or you can use a corner block and cut it square. Outside corners are typically mitered and cut at a 45-degree angle to facilitate gluing and hiding the joint. If your outside corner is not exactly 90 degrees, adjust the cutting angle accordingly. For example, if the outside corner is 92 degrees, cut each side of the quarter round at 46 degrees to ensure a tight fit.
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Attaching the plastic quarter round
Prepare the Plastic Quarter Rounds:
Before attaching the plastic quarter rounds, it is essential to ensure they are cut to the correct size and properly fitted to each wall. Measure the bottom of each wall to determine the required length of molding. Cut the plastic quarter rounds slightly longer than your measurement, allowing for adjustments. Place the cut pieces against the wall to test their fit, making sure they fit tightly. Cut thin slices off until you achieve a snug fit.
Temporary Installation:
Once you're satisfied with the fit, you can proceed with temporary installation. Spread a thin bead of caulk along the back of the plastic quarter round, then set it in place. Hold it firmly or use sticks to keep it against the wall until the caulk dries.
Permanent Installation:
For a more permanent solution, you have a few options. One method is to pre-drill holes into the baseboard every 12 inches and then hammer thin finishing nails into each hole. Make sure to pre-drill the nail holes to avoid splitting the molding. Another option is to use a nail gun, which requires a compressor. If you choose this method, ensure you have the right equipment and follow the necessary safety precautions.
Finishing Touches:
After installing the plastic quarter rounds, fill in any uneven sections or gaps with a caulk gun. Smooth out the caulk with sandpaper to create a seamless finish. If you've used painted molding, you can fill small gaps with caulk. Remember to paint over the nails with semi-gloss paint to match the molding or baseboards, creating a uniform look.
By following these steps, you can securely attach plastic quarter rounds, adding a stylish and finished look to your room while covering gaps between the floor and baseboards.
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Finishing touches
Once you've gathered enough pieces of quarter-round moulding, you'll need to cut and fit each piece to its respective wall. Quarter-rounds should be painted or stained before installation. You can use a caulking gun to fill in any gaps in the moulding. If you're installing a wood-grain quarter-round, use matching putty to fill the gaps.
To temporarily install the moulding, spread a thin bead of caulk along the back and set it in place. For a more permanent solution, pre-drill holes into the baseboard every 12 inches and hammer thin finishing nails into each hole. You can also use a nail gun, which requires a compressor. If you're installing a lot of quarter-rounds, buying a nail gun and compressor is a good investment.
If you're using glue, standard carpenter's glue is recommended for corners and intermediate joints. Outside corners should be mitered and cut at a 45-degree angle for better adhesion and to hide the joint. Inside corners should be coped or use a corner block so the quarter-round can be cut square.
The easiest way to cut the quarter-round is with a miter chop saw. Most people already have one or know where to borrow one. They are typically preset with the most common angles used for cutting quarter-rounds: 45 degrees and 22.5 degrees. Always use a sharp carbide tip blade for clean cuts. If you don't have access to a chop saw, you can cut the quarter-round by hand with a miter box, but this will take more time and may not yield the same level of accuracy.
Remember to take the necessary safety precautions when operating power tools and always wear proper protection, including ear muffs, goggles, and a dust mask.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic quarter rounds are installed to cover the expansion gap between the floor and baseboards, adding a finished look to any room.
Measure the bottom of each wall to determine how much molding you will need. Measure along the bottom of every wall and draw an outline of the room on paper, noting the length of each wall.
A miter chop saw is the easiest way to cut plastic quarter rounds. You can also cut by hand with a miter box, but this will take more time and may not yield the same accuracy.
Plastic quarter rounds should be nailed to the baseboards only. Predrill the nail holes to avoid splitting the molding. Use standard carpenter's glue for corners and intermediate joints.
While it is not recommended to glue the entire length of the quarter rounds, you can use glue or caulk for corners and intermediate joints.
