Baseboard and Door Casing Installation
Finish carpentry — the installation of trim, moldings, and casings — is the final visible element of interior construction and requires precision, patience, and an understanding of how to handle irregular surfaces. Door casing covers the gap between the door jamb and the rough framing. The reveal is a deliberate setback (typically 3/16 inch) from the inside edge of the jamb that provides a consistent visual line and hides minor variations. Mark the reveal on all three jamb members, then cut the head (top) casing to length with 45° miters at each end and the side casings with matching 45° miters at the top. Cope-and-butt for inside corners of baseboard: the first piece is cut square to butt against the wall; the second piece is coped (shaped to follow the profile of the first) rather than mitered, because walls are rarely perfectly square and coped joints remain tight even as the wood moves seasonally.