Is PVC Baseboard Any Good?

Being able to withstand any climate means that yes installing a PVC baseboard can be a good option especially in areas with a lot of moisture accumulation.

PVC can withstand moisture and due to its material type, it does not easily rot.

The PVC baseboard has various advantages as compared to other baseboard materials.

Some of the advantages include: they do not get damaged when exposed to water, they are resistant to insect invasion, they are flexible and they come in various shapes and sizes thus there will be no wastage during installation.

These are just some of the advantages that come along with PVC baseboards.

If you are looking to have a DIY PVC baseboard installation, here is a step by step guide that helped me through my PVC installation:

How To Install PVC Baseboard

Here’s how to install PVC baseboard in 4 steps…

Step 1: Measurement.

Before installing your PVC baseboard, measure the wall to be accurate for the size of PVC you will be using.

Measurement is very important because you do not want to end up having either little or a lot of material during the installation.

I found that measuring the wall before installation saves on time and energy which would otherwise be used either looking for extra material or cutting out the extra material that would have been left.

Step 2: Mark the PVC.

Ensure that you mark the PVC on the areas you are required to cut. Then while using a miter box, line up the appropriate miter box slot with the mark for accurate cutting.

The marking will depend on the kind of miter box slot you are using.

Some are usually 45 degrees or 90 degrees to either the left or right.

You want to be accurate while cutting the PVC to avoid wastage of material.

Step 3: Cut the PVC.

While cutting the PVC, use a miter saw moving the miter saw back and forth slowly to avoid chipping of the material.

Step 4: Installation.

Before installing, place the cut PVC against the wall to ensure that the cut was accurate.

To install the baseboard, attach it to the wall using 1-inch finish nails and a hammer.

Repeat the steps above until you are finished installing your PVC baseboards.

Factors to consider while installing PVC baseboards.

Cementing of joints.

To clamp the joints, you can use cement.

I particularly recommend PVC cement as it worked best for me.

Cementing of the joints helps to prevent water from penetrating through the trim and keeps them firm and tight.

Sanding of edges.

You can choose to sand the edges to have a smooth finish. It is however not necessary.

Leaving gaps for expansion.

PVC tends to contract when cold and expand when hot. So while installing your PVC baseboard, ensure that you put this factor into consideration.

You can cover these gaps after installation with polyurethane caulk or paintable acrylic.

Ensure that your screws match your trim type.

The screws that you are working with should be designed for the PVC material you are using.

Also, ensure that the fasteners you are using are long-lasting.

For corners, use a pocket hole jig.

Corners can be quite tricky especially if you are looking for a perfect finish.

I found that by using a hole jig, you can predrill the mitered corners then apply glue onto it. You can then use screws to join the corners.

Clean the surface before painting.

Although it is not necessary if you are thinking of painting your PVC baseboard, ensure that you clean the surface first.

Cleaning of the surface can be done by using a mild detergent which will wash off any oils left on the surface.

Also, fill any small holes with exterior filler before painting for a smooth perfect finish.

So Are PVC Baseboards Any Good?

Yes, putting into consideration the advantages that PVC baseboards hold over other baseboards, I would recommend the use of PVC baseboards.

Also, you can install the baseboard yourself following the step-by-step guide above, from measuring, marking, cutting, and finally installing the PVC baseboard.

Also, remember to put into consideration the above factors discussed.