How to Cut Angles for Molding

Molding--whether it is crown molding, a chair rail or baseboards--provides a sense of style when added to a room. One of the essential elements in installing molding is knowing how to cut the angles to make junctions and joints for when pieces must meet. We'll look at three of the most common junctions and learn how to cut the angles to make the molding fit properly, so you'll have a clean-looking installation.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Molding Mitre box Mitre saw

1. 
    
   (illustration by NL)

   Decide on the type of angles you need. This is dependent on the type of junction you're making. The three most common are: inside corners, outside corners, and joints. An inside corner is what happens when two pieces of molding meet at an angle of 90 degrees. An outside corner is what happens when two pieces of molding meet at an angle of 270 degrees, and a joint is what happens when two pieces meet on a flat surface. See the illustration for a diagram of each type.

2. 
    
   Inside cut for molding (illustration by NL)

   Cut the angles for an inside corner this way: Place your piece of molding into your mitre box with the back side of the molding held against the side of the box with a clamp. Cut down into the molding with your saw, using the 45 degree guide of the mitre box. Clamp the second piece into the box and cut the complementary angle into this piece. The two pieces will join at a 90 degree angle for an inside corner.

3. 
    
   Outside cut for molding (illustration by NL)

   Cut the angles for an outside corner this way: Place your piece of molding into your mitre box with the back side of the molding held against the side of the box with a clamp. Cut down into the molding with your saw, using the 45 degree guide of the mitre box. Clamp the second piece into the box and cut the complementary angle into this piece. The two pieces will join at a 270 degree angle for an outside corner.

4. 
    
   Straight joint (illustration by NL)

   Cut the angles for a joint this way: Place your piece of molding into your mitre box with the back side of the molding held against the side of the box with a clamp. Cut down into the molding with your saw, using the 45 degree guide of the mitre box. Clamp the second piece into the box and cut the complementary angle into this piece. The two pieces will join in a straight line to complete the joint.