I have a question about a project I am in the process of doing. I have a old house with 8 inch wide oak baseboards. I am replacing some of the sections of old pine baseboards in a area that used to be a closet with oak to match the others. My question is do I have to worry about expansion in the securing of the new oak baseboards? I have sealed the new oak front and back and it has been seasoning to the house humidity for about 3 years. You know how that goes. Do I only nail in the center of the 8 inch oak? Do I nail and glue? Do I nail top and bottom to prevent cupping and warping? How much space should I allow under the baseboard for expansion? Am I just thinking too much while avoiding the project? Don
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Replies
Hi Don,
I apologize for the overdue reply. I hope our late advice can still be of help.
You shouldn't be too concerned with expansion and shrinkage in this case. While an 8-in. wide oak baseboard is going to undergo some seasonal change, the fact that you've let it acclimate for so long and finished all sides means the movement will be minimal.
I checked with my colleagues at Fine Homebuilding magazine and they agreed that you should drive nails at the bottom edge of the baseboard to attach it to the bottom plate in the wall, and at the middle of the baseboard aiming for the wall studs.
Position the baseboard flush against the ground so that any movement goes upwards and unnoticed.
Matt Berger
Fine Woodworking
Thanks Matt,
I figured with the holidays you guys were going to be a little behind. Do you think It would help to add some glue, like Grip, for additional anchorage?
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