For outside corners of baseboard molding, which joint is recommended?

• A. Miter joint
• B. Dado joint
• C. Rabbet joint
• D. Lap joint

Answer: (A)

The main idea is to create a clean, seamless 90-degree corner on the outside of baseboard molding. A miter joint does this best because you cut each piece at 45 degrees and join them at the corner. That pair of matching bevels forms a sharp, continuous outer edge, and it hides the end grain because both pieces meet at the corner rather than one piece overlapping or sitting in a groove. This results in a neater appearance and easier painting. Other joints add grooves, shoulders, or overlaps that don’t give the same clean outside edge and can leave gaps or misalignment at the corner. In practice, you cut two 45-degree angles, fit them tightly, then nail and glue for a solid, attractive corner.