Baseboard Molding for Dummies

Baseboard around bifold

We've noticed many a time that certain of the freelancers we feature in this blog just don't seem to get it. It's especially true of a number of them who attempt to address DIY home repair questions. These miscreants, who too often admit no educational or vocational background for the questions they answer, give unsatisfactory instructions in a variety of ways. One of the more curious styles of failure is what we tend to call "missing the point." The example of "How to Install Baseboard Around Bifold Doors," an Elizabeth Knoll production at HomeSteady.com, is a typical case.

Knoll, a kindergarten aide somewhere, cited two references for her instructions, both of which consist of instructions for installing the casing molding around doors. That probably explain why Liz's introduction includes the off-topic statement that,

"...with a bifold door, you're not trying to hide any gaps between the door and the door frame, since bifold doors do not have door frames. Molding around a bifold door is purely decorative."

But Liz! the OQ wasn't asking about "Molding around a bifold door," the OQ wanted to know how (or whether) to extend the baseboard molding around the corner of the opening. That's why the word "baseboard" was in the question! We realized that Knoll was utterly confused about the meaning of "baseboard" when she told her readers to,

"Measure the bifold door opening's width. Transfer this measurement to the baseboard you just cut, measuring from the left to the right."

Wait, what? And then you're supposed to,

"Measure from the upper molding to the floor on the bifold door opening's right-hand side..."

...Is she kidding? No, she isn't! It is crystal clear that this moron has no idea that baseboard molding runs along the floor or that the molding around a door frame is called "casing."

In reality, there are a couple of approaches: you can go ahead and put casing molding around the door opening per Knoll's instructions and end the baseboard flush with the molding on both sides. You could also cut the baseboard flush with the edge of the doorway (a 45-degree angle looks more finished), or wrap the baseboard around the edge of the opening and cut it short enough that it won't interfere with the action of the door.
But doing it like our Dumbass of the Day says to in her instructions? Nope: that's not what the OQ wanted to know.

copyright © 2020-2022 scmrak

DDIY - FINISH CARPENTRY