I recently bought an older house with stunning oak baseboards, but there are quite a few gaps that I can't seem to fix by just re-nailing the boards. I'm considering using caulk to fill these gaps, but I'm unsure if it will look good since most examples I find online are for painted white baseboards. The walls in these areas are mostly white, so I'm a bit concerned about how the caulk will match or look with the natural stained wood.
3 Answers
It sounds like you're dealing with gaps at the top of the baseboards? That's a common issue! Using caulk that matches the baseboard's color is definitely better than using wall color, which might give a cheap look. Just make sure you've checked if you can securely nail the baseboards, because there are some tricks to do that effectively, like nailing at an angle. While caulking can work, consider fixing the baseboard first if possible!
I get your concern! Caulking could end up looking odd, especially with those gorgeous oak boards. You might want to consider floating out the wall if it's uneven, but that can be tricky if it's the base that's wavy. Posting some pics would help everyone give better advice!
Honestly, I think you're better off renailing the baseboards instead of caulking. Caulking can often end up looking pretty bad, especially with natural wood. Have you tried any methods to secure them back? Sometimes simply pressing them in can help, but if they’re really loose, you might want to check other fixing methods first!
I agree! If you can re-nail them firmly, it would definitely be a more secure option.