How To Install Baseboard On Stairs
Here is a guide on how to install baseboard on stairs. If you decide to do this there are a few things to consider. One is you are in for some work. Another is they do make a piece of trim wood for this and it is called skirt board. Click on this link skirt boards to find out exactly what it is. If you decide on base board instead of skirt boards then follow along carefully and I will guide you through on how to install baseboard on stairs.Lets assume you have all the tools and materials for this job. First to clarify we will be doing the right side of the stairway as you are looking up the stairway. First take a piece of baseboard and square cut the end and then measure about 12" and square cut again you should have a piece of baseboard 1 ft long.
Set this piece against the over hang on the first step down being sure it is level vertically and tight against the over hang. A notch will be cut for the over hang to fit into so mark the over hang from the step above on this piece. Mark the top of the over hang and the bottom on this piece and be precise with a sharp pencil because as stated you will be cutting a notch for the over hang to fit into so the base is tight against the riser.
Using a speed square extend these marks up the base nice and straight with some very light pencil marks. Turn the base horizontal and stick it under the over hang against the riser and connect these two straight lines. This will be the notch that will be cut out for the over hang to fit into. Use either a table saw or a miter saw and carfully cut this notch out being careful not to go past the pencil marks. After you have the notch cut out trial fit it to make sure it is a nice fit and tight against the riser, adjust as needed.
Next at the miter saw set this piece of base flat on the saw with the top of the base out towards you and the thicker part or bottom of the base towards the fence of the saw. You should have the notch to the right side of you. Set the degrees of the saw from 0 to 45 degrees moving it also to the right. Make the cut so the 45 degree angle starts exactly at the right side of the notch. Now slide this piece over and make a 45 degree cut on ther other side of this piece starting exactly at the corner.
Now take another piece of base and cut the appropriate angle at 45 degrees for this piece to fit into the bottom of the previous piece. You may need to adjust the angle of 45 degrees slightly to get good miters but essentially thats it. Just keep repeating this precedure on every step until you are finished. These instructions are assuming you have some sort of finished wood, vinyl or tile or hard floor surface.
If there would be carpeting installed later on these steps you would have to take that into account. You would have to leave a space under the base for the carpet to be tucked into. That just means doing exactly what the instructions say except sliding a piece of base under the base you are installing to give you that space needed. You would have to have this space at the stair treads and risers and also this would change the depth of your notch.
Chances are there is not going to be anything for your nails to hit behind the wall so nail the pieces that you can or know where they will be hitting studs. A good construction adhesive will have to be used to attach the other pieces that can't be nailed. Apply the adhesive then use some sort of bracing to hold these pieces tight against the wall while the glue dries maybe bracing against the opposite side of the stairway. Be sure to apply carpenters glue to each of the mitered joints. I will be doing a job soon where this all applys so I will amend the instructions on this page of how to install baseboard on stairs accordingly. Again any questions e-mail me.
