If you want to remodel the inside of your home, then you may want to change the paint color of some of the rooms. The painting should be paired with the installation of new trim. Trim pieces add beauty to rooms and they also protect the base of the wall from water damage as you mop and clean. If you want elaborate or fancy trim to frame your walls, then it may be wise to speak with a carpentry expert who can create and install the trim your are looking for. If you want to try to purchase, cut, and add the trim yourself, then there are a few mistakes that you will want to avoid making.

Mistake - Choosing The Wrong Wood

There are many different wood options that you can choose from and many people will pick the least expensive trim pieces they can find. While this may be an option if you have a small budget, it is wise to invest in some of the more pricey pieces of trim if you can. 

If you budget allows, then opt for pine trim. Pine materials do not crack and they remain relatively free from warping issues. Pine is soft though and may dent, so it may not be a great choice if you have children and pets in the home. 

If you do decide to buy pine trim, then make sure that it is at least paint-grade. If the trim is finger-jointed, you may want to think twice about buying it. Finger jointed trim is created with small pieces of wood that are fit together to create the trim. Unfortunately, the seams of the joining appear once the wood is stained. Paint-grade trim does not have this problem because it is made from solid pieces of wood.

If you can afford trim that is a bit more expensive, then poplar is a good option. Hardwood trim is the most expensive, but it is the highest grade material you can buy. Hardwoood trims do not warp, crack, or dent easily. They also resist water damage and scratches and are likely to last quite a bit longer than other types of trim.

Mistake - Using The Wrong Nails

Some people may decide to use the nails they have lying around their homes to adhere the trim in place. However, you should not use the wrong nails to secure your trim. Most nails are simply too big and will split the wood as you hammer them in place. Also, nails with wide heads are likely to stick out from the surface of the trim and this can create a poor appearance especially since the nail heads cannot be hidden.

You should always install your trim with the assistance of finishing nails. Finishing nails are thin nails with barrel heads that can be driven underneath the wood to hide them. However, you will need a tool called a nail set to push the nails into the trim. Once you do this, you can use wood putty to obscure the nail and then paint or stain can be used to cover the putty.