Ending a picture rail involves giving the exposed end a clean, finished look rather than leaving a raw cut. One common technique utilizes precision cuts to create a decorative or fitting end.
Ending a picture rail run, especially when it doesn't meet a corner or door frame, requires a method to finish the exposed end cleanly. Leaving a raw cut can look unfinished. Professional installation often involves creating a 'return' to the wall or using a specific type of joint.
Professional Techniques for Finishing Picture Rail Ends
A popular and effective way to finish a picture rail end is by preparing the piece to either butt against another moulding or return neatly back to the wall. This often involves precise cuts using specific tools.
Based on common woodworking practices for mouldings, a method to prepare an end involves using a mitre saw and a coping saw.
Here’s how you can prepare the end of a picture rail piece for a clean finish, according to one technique:
- Step 1: Make the Mitre Cut
Take the piece of picture rail you are working with. Take this marked piece of picture rail over to your mitre saw, and use it to cut the end to a 45-degree angle. This cut is the first step in shaping the end, often used as a guide for the next step or as part of a joint. - Step 2: Cope the Profile
Following the initial mitre cut, refine the shape. Once this is done, use a coping saw to cut out the profile from one end of the picture rail. The coping saw allows you to carefully follow the contour of the picture rail's decorative shape.
This two-step process of cutting a mitre angle and then coping the profile allows the end of the picture rail to fit snugly against a corresponding piece of moulding or to create a clean 'return' where a small piece is cut and shaped to turn back and meet the wall, effectively capping the end of the main rail.
This technique provides a more integrated and professional appearance compared to a simple square cut. It ensures the decorative profile of the picture rail is respected and continued visually to its termination point.
