You don’t need to use nails if you attach trim to drywall with construction adhesive. Start by cutting your trim pieces to the right length. Then, lay out all the trim pieces on a drop cloth, face-down. Apply construction adhesive on the back of the trim piece. Next, add a dab of hot glue every 12 inches (30 cm) along the back of the trim. Press the trim into place before the hot glue cools. The hot glue will hold the trim in place as the construction adhesive dries. This allows for a precise, permanent trim installation without using a single nail.
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Does Trim Need to be Nailed into Studs?
You do not have to nail your trim pieces into place. Since trim is not structural and does not have to bear weight, you can use construction adhesive to secure trim in place instead of nails. This is a great option if you aren’t sure where your wall studs are or if your wall doesn’t have traditional wooden studs. The right glue is just as secure as nailing trim into place.
- There is no need to use nails when installing trim on drywall.
- Construction adhesive will hold trim in place just as well as nails.
- If you use our no-nail method, caulking and painting trim will be easier.
As an added bonus, using glue to install your trim makes the overall job easier. Finish nails designed for nailing trim to studs will leave holes in the trim, which you’ll have to fill before painting. By using glue instead of nails, you won’t have these holes. So, you’ll have fewer places to caulk before you start painting.
What is the Best Glue for Trim?
A strong construction adhesive is the best choice for gluing trim to drywall. Almost any glue or construction adhesive will work. I prefer using construction adhesive that comes in a tube that can be loaded into a caulk gun. This makes applying the adhesive to the back of the trim or crown molding faster and easier.
- This construction adhesive is my go-to for installing trim.
- Use an adhesive that can be applied with a caulk gun—it will speed up the job.
- An inexpensive hot glue gun is great for holding trim in place while a more powerful adhesive dries.
Because most construction adhesives take hours to fully dry, hot glue is an essential tool for installing trim to drywall without nails. You don’t need a lot, and a home-crafting hot glue gun is perfectly adequate for the job. You’ll just use the hot glue to hold the trim in place while the construction adhesive hardens.
5 Steps to Attach Trim to Drywall Without Studs or Nails
Now that you’ve got the right glue, it’s time to start installing your trim. Just follow these steps and you can make a professional trim installation without using nails or relying on wall studs.
Measure and Cut Your Trim Pieces
Begin by cutting your trim pieces to the correct length. Although you can cut each piece one at a time, I get the best results when I cut my trim pieces, hold them in place to test the fit, and continue until all my trim pieces are prepped. Just make sure to make 45-degree “miter” cuts at the corners of baseboards and crown molding. This will achieve a seamless look.
Lay Your Trim Pieces Face-Down
Once you have all your trim pieces cut to length, lay them face down on the ground. It’s best to position them right in front of where they will be installed, so you will always put the right trim piece in the right place. It helps to put a drop cloth down underneath the trim. This way, any glue that misses the trim won’t land on your floor.
Apply Construction Adhesive
With your trim pieces prepped, use this process to get them ready for installation:
- Cut the tip off your tube of construction adhesive at an angle.
- Use a nail or caulk gun attachment to puncture the seal between the applicator tip and adhesive.
- Load the tube into your caulk gun.
- Squeeze the trigger until the adhesive begins to flow.
- Starting at one end of the trim piece, apply adhesive to the back of the trim in a wavy line.
- Use a damp rag to wipe off any adhesive that gets too close to the edges of the trim.
You don’t need to apply a large amount of adhesive to your trim. Too much adhesive can squirt out around the edges when you press the trim into place. This creates a mess that you’ll have to clean up. Instead, apply a thin bead of adhesive. It will flatten out when you install your trim.
Add Hot Glue
Construction adhesive can take hours to dry. So, if you press your trim to the drywall at this point, it is likely to fall off or slide out of position. To prevent these problems, use this hot glue gun. After you apply your construction adhesive, simply dab a dime-sized glob of hot glue onto the back of the trim once every 12 inches (30 cm). It’s essential to add the hot glue just before installation, since hot glue dries very quickly.
Press Trim Into Place
Before the hot glue dries, press your trim precisely into place on the wall. Use equal pressure along the entire length of the trim and hold until the hot glue hardens. The hot glue will hold the trim in the proper position as the construction adhesive hardens. Hot glue alone isn’t strong enough to install trim, but it will create a temporary hold as the stronger adhesive cures. Allow at least 24 hours for the adhesive to completely dry. This will bond your trim to the drywall.
Can You Attach Trim to Drywall Without Studs?
Our nail-free method for attaching trim to drywall is:
- Cut your trim pieces and check their fit.
- Lay your trim pieces face-down on a drop cloth.
- Apply a wavy line of construction adhesive to the back of the trim.
- Add 1 dime-sized glob of hot glue to the back of the trim every 12 inches (30 cm).
- Press your trim precisely into place and hold until the hot glue hardens.
Once you have followed these steps, simply wait 24 hours for your construction adhesive to fully cure. Then, you can move on to the next steps of caulking and painting your trim.
