Base Molding Issue – Terminating Open End
fussyguy
| Posted in Construction Techniques on
I have a balcony on both sides of a stairwell. There is nosing on both and they terminate at a common wall. I want to install standard three inch base molding on each side that will stop about an inch from each nose. I tried putting a return end on each, but with the square ends, it looks visually like both sides want to be connected. Even if it were just on one side, the squared end just doesn’t look finished. It looks like something is missing. The best I could come up with was a large radius at the end which allows the eye to follow the curve down to the floor and not off into space. It’s not bad, but I would prefer something better. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Replies
oh boy.........
and no picture?
I'm thinking I know what you are saying, but do not want to run off an idea that has no basis in fact.
Can you post a picture?
thanks.
Base Molding Issue - Terminating Open End.Reply to comment
The molding is just sitting in place right now. Pictures attached. You can picture in your mind what square cut end would look like. I've tried angle cuts with no success yet.
Steve
How do you plan to trim those verticals?
(And part of your problem is white trim on the stained board -- will always look a little out of place.)
Base Molding Issue - Terminating Open End.Reply to comment
Thank you for your response. The molding is just sitting in place right now in the attached photo. You can picture in your mind what square cut ends would look like. I've also tried angle cuts with no success yet.
Steve
Steve
Traditionally, returning the base to the wall is the way to go. The curve you show has no continuing of the molding profile.
If you don't like the look of the return to the wall at 90 degrees, try instead of two 45's-3-pcs which will round the turn a bit more. The base is so thin, this won't be easy as the pcs will try to fly away when fully cut-try cutting almost all the way through-stopping while there's just a small connection left on the back bottom of the base. This will easily break off by hand and any loss of wood will be hidden once glued and put in place.
or
Perhaps you like the line of the curved baseboard shown. Then why not mitre the return down, rather than just cutting a curve and losing the profile?
Base Molding Issue - Terminating Open End
Thank you for all of your suggestions. Its been very helpful in getting be through my mind block. I am going to still keep the curve on the end which I will bandsaw, and then I will hand carve the return profile. It will be easy to do since I do carving and have the tools to do it.. See the attached sketch. The return profile gets rid of the long stark looking curve. There will be shoe molding of red oak just like the floor, the same as it is everywhere else.
Once again, I'm very appreciative of your help,
Steve
I agree that I'd just return the base into the wall with a mitered return.
This is a case where I think you're too close to the work, so it's being over-analyzed. The design "is what it is" and doing a simple mitered return back into the wall would be perfectly appropriate and maintain the lines of the molding, keeping the same profile that's on the other end of the stick.
You can certainly do what you propose...just realize it's a case where "stepping back" from it all can help put it in perspective.
terminateing ends
What if you run the base across the stairwell and used that as your cap for beadboard or panel wainscoting. good luck!
Yep, good idea -- carry the trim all the way across and put in wainscoting. Would look "designed" rather than "awkward".