How to Install Shoe Molding on Corners

You’ve finished installing the baseboard and the next step is to hide any irregularities in the corner seam between the floor and the baseboard with shoe molding. Corners are a little more challenging than the straight baseboard. Shoe molding is oval shaped which makes it more suitable for corners. Keep reading for the process on how to efficiently install shoe molding on those tricky corners.

The easiest way to install shoe molding is to cut 2 pieces of molding at 45 degree angles. In this way, they can fit together around the 90 degree angled corner. The following steps apply to both inside and outside corners. Simply reverse the back and front angles for each. If the walls are not completely flush with the floor, you may have to adjust the angle of your miter saw accordingly.

Step 1 – Measure and Cut

Measure the edge of the corner to the where the baseboard meets a door jam or another corner. Mark these edges with a pencil on the back of the molding. Repeat the same for the molding that will go on the opposite side of the corner.

Use a miter saw to ensure a perfect 45 degree angle cut. Cut as indicated by the pencil mark on the molding. You will have to switch the 45 degree angle for the opposite piece by reversing the angle on the miter saw. Be sure to wear protective safety goggles while using this machinery. Cut the length of the molding a few inches longer than measured, so that if angles are off a bit, you can re-cut them.

Place opposing 45 degree angled strips of molding together inside or around the corner, depending on which area you are working on. If they fit together perfectly, you are ready for the next step. If not, repeat steps 1 and 2.

Step 2 – Installation

Use a utility knife to trim excess length of molding for it to fit perfectly along baseboard. Lightly sand down the pieces of shoe molding and wipe them with a damp cloth.

Begin to install by setting adjusting the air compressor so that there is sufficient pressure to force the nail through the molding and into the baseboard. Make sure molding is tightly adhered to the wall, and use a nail gun to attach the molding. The nail has to go through the molding and the baseboard, not the floor, so this will have to be done at an angle.

Step 3 – Apply Finishing Touches

There may be a gap between the floor and the molding if the walls are not perfectly straight. If that is the case, you can easily fill in the gap with caulking or wood filler. Wait for the filling to dry.

Finish by applying paint or a clear or stained finish to the shoe molding, whichever best matches the flooring.

And now your work is complete. The molding you have just installed will add to the aesthetic value of your flooring and room, as well as protect the baseboards from being nicked by things that move along the floor, such as brooms or vacuum cleaners. It will protect your walls from everyday wear and tear.