The tall, flat portion of a baseboard or skirting board is called the fascia.
[This is part of Our Molding Makeover series. See all updates here.]
We made this baseboard fascia 6-5/8″ tall, a bit taller than the one I made in our kitchen that is 5-3/4″ tall.
Jennifer and I arrived at this height after making several baseboard mockups of different heights, placing them in front of the already installed wall frames and then living with them for a day or two each.
We felt that the baseboard needed the extra height to balance the visual effect of the baseboards “supporting” the wall panels.
Sand the Top Exposed End Grain
The reveal at the top of this baseboard (that exposed flat space between the base cap and the top edge of the baseboard fascia) is hard to sand after the base cap has been installed on top of it.
So I ran my palm sander over the edge before installing the fascias.
A good palm sander can make quick work of this step.
Prime the Bottom
I like to prime the bottom exposed end grain of bathroom moldings before installing them. Otherwise they can act as a water wick in case of a big spill.
You can’t protect any molding if you have a really big bathroom flood, but this technique will help guard against the little ones.
Here is the specific primer I like to use >>
Thin Spacers Under the Baseboard
I put thin paper spacers under the base for two reasons: One, to make it easier to replace the tile someday and two, so I have room to slip masking paper under the baseboard when I prime and paint.
A thin piece of cardboard is all you need for a spacer.
Now I have room to slide masking paper under the baseboard when I prime and paint.
Returning the Baseboard
The baseboard has to terminate on top of the flat-stock that acts as both door trim and vertical stile for this wall.
So I just create a few miters and then glue and nail them together before I install it as one piece.
How to terminate the large baseboard fascia with a mitered return.
All contact surfaces get a coat of Liquid Nails and is tacked in place with 18 gauge brad nails.
Preparing for Disaster
I’m splitting the baseboard behind the sink here and down to the wall to the water shut-off valve behind the toilet.
I put the molding splice where it won’t be noticed much. Hopefully.
This short section will be held in place with just a few dabs of Liquid Nails so I can pull it off when some day I need to get to the fittings on that shut-off valve.
A few dabs of construction adhesive will be enough to hold it in place.
This section can now be easily removed in case of flood.
An Awkward Solution Behind the Toilet
This one was a real head-skratcher. But there you have it.
My improvised moldings around the toilet shut-off valve.
I’ll probably add a small filler molding inside that gap. This will have to do for now though.
The next post will show how to install the ogee base cap. See you there!
