How to Install Quarter Round Around Door [Easy Steps]

So you are planning to install a quarter round around the door and want to know how to install quarter round around the door. Well, putting a quarter round is simple. But when it comes to installing around the door, it becomes a little bit challenging.

The process requires measuring the trim, cutting it to size, and then nailing it in place. But with proper guidelines, you can smoothly do it. All you need is a few tools and basic knowledge of installing quarter round.

Start with gathering the necessary tools and measuring the area accurately. Pick the right molding type and cut it with a saw following the measurement. Finally, attach the moldings with the best nail gun for quarter round. Don’t worry, we will show you the process in detail.

Things you Require to Install Quarter Round Around Door

For installing:

  • Measuring tape
  • Pencil for marking
  • Saw
  • Quarter rounds
  • Drilling machine (drill bit is slightly smaller than the nails)
  • Nails
  • Hammer
  • Nail gun with a compressor instead of a hammer

For touching ups:

  • Adhesive Caulk or caulk gun
  • Wood putty
  • 180-Grit sandpaper
  • Paint
  • Wood stain

Estimated cost for installing quarter round around door:

The estimated cost to install a quarter-round around the door is $4.90 per linear foot. If you are planning to complete the installation process by yourself, you can reduce the per linear foot price to $0.85- $2.25. If you have your own tools, then you can save up to 75% of the cost and will be considered a pro. But if you are a beginner and don’t own the necessary tools, then it is recommended that you hire a contractor for the installation, as that will be both easier and less costly.

How To Install Quarter Round Around Door – Step By Step

Let’s see how to put quarter round around door trim.

Step 1: Measure the area around the door

The first step of How To Install Quarter Round Around Door is to measure the area around the door. Though Every room’s door has similar measurements, there can be little difference, and in the case of molding, the slightest difference can be crucial. So it is necessary to measure the area around the door precisely as the quarter round has to be cut according to the door’s measurements.

  • Use a measuring tape and take the measurements of the inside corners and the outside corners along with the side’s length. 
  • If the upper inside and outside corners are somewhat of 3/4 inches, then add about ½ inch with the actual measurements.

Step 2: Chose the molding material

While choosing the molding material, you should be careful about the color of the area beside the door. If the material or paint doesn’t match the surrounded area, the molding will not look satisfying. Besides, consider the floor color along with the entire home design.

Step 3: Cut or Buy the quarter round according to the door

You can cut the quarter round or buy it. If you are wondering about how to cut quarter round at door frame, follow the process below. Both the inside and outside corner has to be 45 degrees for a perfect fit.

For installing a quarter round around the door, 

  • The quarter-round end angle of the upper part has to have two 45-degree angles 
  • The other two long parts need to have a 45-degree angle at one side, which will be joined with the upper part.

How to cut quarter round Using a Miter Saw

  1. Set up the miter saw properly and safely.
  2. Place the quarter-round flat on the miter saw base and hold it strongly with one hand.
  3. Use the other hand to lower the saw blade, ensuring it is positioned to cut at a 45-degree angle. The blade should start at the back of the quarter round and cut towards the front.
  4. Turn on the saw and slowly lower the blade through the quarter round, making sure to keep your fingers away from the blade.
  5. Once the cut is complete, lift the saw blade and carefully remove the cut piece of quarter-round from the base.
  6. Repeat this process for the other end of the quarter round, making sure to cut at the same 45-degree angle.

How to cut quarter round Using a Handsaw:

  1. First, place the quarter round into a miter box. A miter box is a tool with slots that guide the saw blade to cut at a precise angle.
  2. Hold the quarter round firmly in place against the back of the miter box with one hand, making sure it is aligned with the correct slot.
  3. Using your other hand, place the handsaw into the corresponding slot in the miter box.
  4. Slowly and carefully saw through the quarter round at a 45-degree angle, keeping the saw blade perpendicular to the quarter round and moving it back and forth in a straight line.
  5. Once the cut is complete, carefully remove the cut piece of quarter round from the miter box.
  6. Repeat this process for the other end of the quarter round, making sure to cut at the same 45-degree angle.

Check this video for better help: how to cut quarter round at 45 degree angle

If you decide to buy the quarter round, you can buy it according to your measurements. And then you can trim it.

  • Quarter-round molding comes in whole pieces from 6 to 12 ft (1.8 to 3.7 m) in length. 
  • Try to use a single piece to mount to a wall. 
  • Quarter-round molding is typically about 34 in (1.9 cm) wide.

Step 4: Stain the quarter round

After trimming the quarter round, you should stain the quarter round with semi-gloss paint. By doing this, you will be able to match the color of the door frame with the wall around the door.

Make sure you pick the semi-gloss paint. It will help you get a superior finish all the time.

Along with that, this type of paint dries quickly. Certainly, you do not have all day for the paint to dry.

Step 5: Paint the quarter round

Painting the quarter round is important to cover the nails on this. The nails look like black spots and create imperfections to the sight. To remove these imperfections, painting is the best option. 

Step 6: Mark spots for nails on the quarter round

After you have gone through the stage of “How to cut quarter round inside corner”, it’s time to place the quarter round above the door area and mark spots for the nails as the marking is beneficial for the perfect nailing process.

Step 6: Drill a pilot hole

After marking the spots with a pencil, drill a pilot hole on the marked areas. Generally, it’s best to use a drill bit that is slightly smaller than the nails, a 116 in (0.16 cm) drill bit is best.

Drill the pilot holes downward at 30° to 45° angles. You may want to use an electric drill machine for better performance. However, if you have a manual drill machine, that will work fine.

Step 7: Nail the quarter round

After drilling a pilot hole on the quarter round around the door, place the quarter rounds against the wall around the door and drive the nails on the quarter round through the pilot holes. Use a nail gun for the best experience and performance.

A brad nailer will work better for quarter round with its 18gauge nails. If you don’t have any, you can rent the nailer from the nearest hardware store within 30 bucks.

Step 8: How to nail Quarter round with hammer

In case you don’t want to rent a nail gun, use a hammer to drive nails. For that, use your thumb and index fingure to hold a nail in one hand and use the other hand to use the hammer to drive nails. Start with small strikes since hitting too hard may split the quarter round.

Step 9: Fill the gaps with a caulk gun

Generally, the use of a caulk gun is not necessary unless you have made a mistake while cutting the edges of the quarter round and there are visible gaps between the joints.

If you need to use one, slice the tip-off a canister of adhesive caulking and then load the canister into the gun. While applying, you need to hold the gun nuzzle slightly above the top edge of each piece of molding.

Step 10: Give a finishing touch – How to finish quarter round at door frame

To give the installed  quarter round a finishing touch, do the following things:

  • Spread a dab of wood putty to cover up nails. Wood putty comes in small containers or tubes.
  • Putties should be colorful or should match the color of the quarter round.
  • It’s necessary to fill up the gaps and smoothen the uneven areas of the quarter round. For smoothening the area with caulk and filler, use 180-grit sandpaper.
  • When you are done blending them, use a wet or damp rag to remove any debris.
  • Paint the quarter rounds with a semi-gloss paint.

Safety precautions:

Here are some of the things you should be careful about while installing quarter round around the door or for any of your projects:

  • While operating saws

Operating saws requires various safety precautions as this can hurt eyes, ears if not aware enough. So don’t forget to use goggles, dust masks, and earmuffs.

  • While painting or staining

Painting or staining in a small or reserved area can be hazardous for the breathing system. So, don’t forget to do these tasks in an open area.

FAQ

Do you put quarter round around door jambs? 

Door jambs are a specific part of the door frame which is there to take the weight of the door and keep the rest of the frame square. If you have a square doorstop, you can trim around the doorjamb with a quarter-round.

How do you install a quarter-round door? 

Measure the inside and outside corner of the door, trim and cut the quarter round according to the measurements. Then put the quarter round around the door, use a nailing gun to attach the quarter round. Then you can give a finishing touch by blending and painting that.

How do you cut a quarter round for a door frame? 

Cut a 45-degree angle at the end of the quarter-round trim. For this, you should adjust your Meter saw at a 45-degree angle and place the quarter round in the table, and cut the end.

Do you put quarter-round around cabinets?

If you have gaps between the floor and the cabinets, quarter-round molding can be installed to cover any gaps or imperfections. So it can be said that you can put quarters around cabinets if you feel like it.

Should I use glue or nails for quarter round?

Using nails is better than using glue since glue can damage the walls or doors, whereas nails can smoothly hold the quarter round without damaging the walls. However, pick brad nails or finishing nails so that the heads of the nails do not show up.

Wrap up

If you are interested in renovating your house or if you are to start a project which includes subtle carpentry works, then you have to have an idea about how to install quarter round around the floor, door, or windows. Renovating the house by using different molding styles gives a different aesthetic vibe to the house.

Quarter round molding style can be used around doors, walls, and windows. Sometimes, this can be used or installed to make photo frames and other craftworks.

If you were wondering about the process, materials required, and safety precautions, I hope the above article will help find the answers.

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