What's so great about miters?

Question

Do 45 degree miters on corners really look any better than no miter at all? I mean, you can still see where the joints are. So what's so great about miters?

Answer 1

On square cut trim with no profile its fine. It will leave an exposed end grain to deal with. That grain will stain darker than the rest of the trim if stained, Paint will cover it but you will have to sand it smoother. So a miter will save you time and money and if the trim has a profile its the only way to make it appealing. Unless you use a plinth block and butt the trimwork!

Answer 2

If you don't have a miter joint then your joint will be a butt and no one wants to look at your  butt.

Answer 3

thank god they didn't find any of those ter-miters *anywhere* in  my house.