A homeowner in Tacoma called me out on my quarter-round cuts last month

They pointed out a gap I'd left against a baseboard, saying it looked like I was rushing. I started using a coping saw for inside corners instead of just mitering everything, and the fit is way tighter now. Do you guys cope quarter-round or stick with miters for painted trim?

3 comments

3 Comments

tara6421d agoTop Commenter

That Tacoma call out is a good lesson. I cope all my inside corners on quarter round now, even for paint grade work. It takes a bit longer with the coping saw, but you get a perfect seam that won't open up later. I just cut a straight 45 first, then follow the profile to back cut the rest.

henryp4023h ago

Good point, @tara642. That extra step always pays off later.

matthewdixon18h ago

Honestly that line about "even for paint grade work" got me. I used to think coping was just for fancy stained trim where you see every flaw. But @tara642 is totally right, a perfect seam that won't open up is the whole point. I had some baseboard gaps drive me nuts last winter after the heat kicked on. Now I take the time to cope it all. That back cut method you described is the only way I can get it clean.