FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter Instagram Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

Installing baseboards

| Posted in General Discussion on August 5, 2004 03:22am

I have just bought a 20 year old condo with metal studs.  I’m replacing all of the baseboards.  How do I attach the baseboards to the walls?

Reply

Replies

  1. jackplane | Aug 05, 2004 03:29pm | #1

    Construction adhesive is one option.

    1. SageSwiger | Aug 05, 2004 03:37pm | #2

      Thanks for your suggestion.  should I use screws into the drywall to hold it in place while the glue dries?

      1. jackplane | Aug 05, 2004 04:29pm | #5

        what rez says.

  2. rez | Aug 05, 2004 03:53pm | #3

    It's a bit of a pain but I've predrilled and used small head trim screws thru into the studs before.

    If speed and adhesive is your weapon of choice, shooting 2 finish nails diagonal to each other into the drywall can give enough holding power till the adhesive sets.

    Be.

    Just be. 

    "sobriety is the root cause of dementia.",     rez,2004

    "Geodesics have an infinite proliferation of possible branches, at the whim of subatomic indeterminism.",
    Jack Williamson, The Legion of Time

    1. SageSwiger | Aug 06, 2004 01:22am | #9

      Thanks for the cross nailing suggestion.  It along with Mike's refinements will solve the problem.

      Thom

  3. Hubedube | Aug 05, 2004 04:15pm | #4

    spiral finishing nails into the Sole Plate and the Studs

  4. User avater
    IMERC | Aug 05, 2004 04:29pm | #6

    Construction adhesive and held into place with brads or pins as clamping.. Set the pins slightly angled and apposing each other.. Use short pins and shoot them into the DW and not worry about the studs..

    Time for new tools... There's a bright side to every job...

    Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming....

                                                                       WOW!!!   What a Ride!



    Edited 8/5/2004 9:35 am ET by IMERC

  5. mike4244 | Aug 05, 2004 09:58pm | #7

    Consruction adhesive as others mentioned. 15 gauge nail gun with 2" nails will hold the base while adhesive sets. Dot the adhesive every foot  no more than 1" from top of base. Dots should be the size of a dime . Look for high spots along the wall and nail there. You only need enough nails to hold the base tight to the wall.

    mike

    1. SageSwiger | Aug 06, 2004 01:18am | #8

      Thanks,  I think that wil work just fine.

      thom

  6. KRettger | Aug 06, 2004 02:30am | #10

    I've done plenty of baseboard installation over drywall and steel studs.  Use construction adhesive and toe nail finish nails or brads. Works great.

    Cork in Chicago

  7. calvin | Aug 06, 2004 04:09am | #11

    Thom, on lighter guage metal, you can also shoot direct into the stud.  It grabs pretty good, probably as a result of the heat produced when the nail penetrates the stud.  Spot glue.

    Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

    Quittin' Time

  8. hfhcarp10 | Aug 06, 2004 06:09am | #12

    Installed colonial base recently over 1/2 drywall into steel - no glue. Fastener's hooked me up with drill-point finish screws; studs were 16 oc.

    Works great. Use a slow screw gun or a cordless as they will strip in muscled in. If you feather em in, you're left with a nice recess that fills with putty nicely.

    I wish I would have installed 6-8 inch blocking at the floor which would have allowed for nailing at the drywall bellies.

    Carl

    1. raybrowne | Aug 07, 2004 07:23am | #13

      When you say slow screwgun or cordless for the trim heads I'm wondering what rpm you were running at? Were you running on a high or low torque setting? I've done this same task a couple times with a couple different drills and had varying results, part of the problems might have been I was dealing with heavier gauge studs.

      -Ray

      1. calvin | Aug 07, 2004 02:06pm | #14

        ray, were you using the self drilling tipped finish screws?Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

        Quittin' Time

      2. hfhcarp10 | Aug 09, 2004 01:57am | #16

        What I've found to work the best is to: start screw in high with cordless until it engages the steel/once it starts to thread, back off to low and feather it in. To just go full bore with cordless or screwgun is risking strip out. The drill point screws I've used needed a #1 phillips bit. Hope this helps.

        Carl

    2. SageSwiger | Aug 07, 2004 02:17pm | #15

      That is how the original baseboards were installed in my condo.  I have not been able to find the screws anywhere.  I've been trying to call the drywall guys to see if they have a supplier.

      Thanks for the help.

      Thom

      1. hfhcarp10 | Aug 09, 2004 02:01am | #17

        Found a good selection of finish screws at an independent lumber yard. Haven't had much luck with the supermarket yards.

        1. SageSwiger | Aug 10, 2004 04:01pm | #18

          Thanks to all.. we tried the criss cross nails and glue, and it worked fine.  We'll probably add some finish screws where needed. 

          Thom

          1. User avater
            JeffBuck | Aug 11, 2004 03:19am | #19

            just glue them and shoot them ...

            JeffBuck Construction, llc   Pittsburgh,PA

                 Artistry in Carpentry                

      2. AlanRoberson | Aug 11, 2004 06:16am | #20

        Mcfeely's should have them - its a mail order company I'm sure they're on the web

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Build a Transom Above a Stock Door

A decorative transom fills in the space between a stock door and the home's 9-ft. ceiling, saving the cost of a custom door.

Featured Video

How to Install Cable Rail Around Wood-Post Corners

Use these tips to keep cables tight and straight for a professional-looking deck-railing job.

Related Stories

  • Monitor Both Outdoor and Indoor Air Quality
  • What You Need to Know About Installing Steel Siding
  • Podcast 570: PRO TALK With Project Manager Jeremy Hess, Part 1
  • Podcast 569: Bath Fan Installs, Sunroom Trim, and Basement Control Layers

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

BOOKS, DVDs, & MERCH

Shop the Store
  • Code Check Building 4th Edition
    Buy Now
  • 2022 Fine Homebuilding Archive
    Buy Now
  • Pretty Good House
    Buy Now
  • 2023 Tool Guide
    Buy Now
  • Shop the Store

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 316 - July
    • Timber-Framed Solar Canopies
    • Build a Transom Above a Stock Door
    • Understanding Toilet Design and Efficiency
  • Issue 315 - June 2023
    • How to Craft a Copper Roof
    • 5 Lessons from Building in a Cold Climate
    • The Advantages of Cellular PVC Siding
  • Issue 314 - April/May 2023
    • 7 Options for Countertops
    • Tool Test: Wood-Boring Bits
    • Critical Details for Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 313 - Feb/March 2023
    • Practical System for a Seismic Retrofit
    • Fine Homebuilding Issue #313 Online Highlights
    • Practical System for a Seismic Retrofit
  • Issue 312 - Dec 2022/Jan 2023
    • Tool Test: Cordless Tablesaws
    • Gray-Water System for a Sustainable Home
    • Insulate a Cape Roof to Avoid Ice Dams

Fine Homebuilding

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences

Taunton Network

  • Green Building Advisor
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Fine Gardening
  • Threads
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Copyright
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2023 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Shop the Store

  • Books
  • DVDs
  • Taunton Workshops

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in