do you have to use quarter round on baseboards

Full Answer

Can you use caulk to install quarter-round on baseboards?

Although caulk can be used to install quarter rounds on baseboards, it is not advisable as it can be tricky to dislodge if the floor needs to be repaired later. You should therefore stick to caulking the gaps between the quarter round and the floor only while nailing the quarter round to the baseboard. How To Install Quarter-Round Like A Pro?

Why should baseboards have quarter-round?

Baseboards should have quarter round to cover up gaps and imperfections between the base of an interior wall and the floor. They usually match the color of the baseboard and give a finished representation. Quarter-rounds are commonly made of wood, have a curved edge, and are shaped like a quarter of a circle in a cross-section, as the name implies.

Should quarter round moldings match baseboard moldings?

You will find many flooring dealers will try to steer you into matching moldings, specifically quarter round because it puts more money into their pockets. In my humble opinion, standard sized matching quarter round looks too bulky against any baseboard, especially common colonial or clam shell type base that only sits 3 ½ inches off the floor.

Do you use quarter round laminate flooring after baseboard?

Without. In the UK the quarter round is only used if the floor is done after the baseboard to hide the gap left for expansion. Makes it look like you've just laid new laminate flooring to a UK eye and detracts from the beauty of the renovation.

Can you use caulk instead of quarter round?

Installing quarter round on baseboards with caulk is not a good idea because it can be difficult to remove should you need to repair the floor in the future. It is not the right choice because it won't create a strong enough bond like glue will. Use caulk only for what it was designed for: to fill gaps if necessary.

What can I use instead of quarter round molding?

shoe moldingYou should install shoe molding instead of quarter-round molding if your top priority is to spice up your home's interior or only have small gaps between your walls and floor.

Do baseboards need shoe molding?

Because most flooring isn't perfectly level, especially in older homes, shoe molding can create a clean, sealed finish at the bottom of baseboards. It's especially necessary if you have wood flooring, which requires expansion space at the wall.

Should there be a gap between baseboard and floor?

For a clean finish, carpets are usually tucked underneath baseboards. So, if the carpet is eventually removed, they'd be a gap where it used to be. If the baseboard is installed before the carpet, it is common practice to leave a gap to match the size of the carpet you intend to install before attaching the baseboard.

Why do you need quarter round?

The quarter-round molding serves a very important purpose. It covers the gap between the baseboard on the wall, and the new flooring. You find this if the installer chose to keep the baseboard in place, rather than remove it and reinstall it.

What should I use for baseboard?

Hardwoods. Hardwoods like oak and maple are an excellent choice of baseboard materials if seeking wood baseboards that can be stained. Hardwoods take stain and varnish well but are significantly more expensive than jointed pine and MDF. Hardwoods are popular as baseboards because of their durability.

Which is better quarter round or shoe molding?

Shoe molding, also spelled "moulding," is smaller and thinner than quarter round, and can have a decorative profile. Quarter round is, literally, a quarter circle. The thin profile of shoe molding allows it to bend into place easily, where the stout quarter round does a better job covering large gaps.

What is the point of shoe molding?

Shoe molding, so called because it's located at “shoe level,” caught on because it looked good and also helped seal out insects and dirt. Today, the main goal of both baseboard and shoe molding is to conceal the less-than-appealing transition between the bottom of the wall and the floor.

What is the difference between baseboards and molding?

The baseboard is also a decorative element, but it sits at the bottom of the wall. It covers the joint where the wall and floor meet. The main difference between baseboard and crown molding is that the former is designed to be flat while the latter is typically angled.

Do you caulk where the baseboard meets the floor?

If there is more than an eighth of an inch of space between your floor and the baseboard above it, yes, it is a good idea to caulk the area. However, if the floor has carpeting, it is not a good idea to apply caulk to the gap.

Should baseboards touch subfloor?

Baseboards should only touch the floor if you have no plans to carpet your floors and if you've already finished installing your other flooring. If you have yet to install the rest of your floor, carpet or otherwise, you'll need to take into account the height of the installed flooring.

How far off the floor should baseboard be installed?

As discussed above, baseboards are typically installed between 3/8" and 1" from the floor to accommodate carpet. Baseboards are often mounted level with the bottom edge of the drywall, which is kept 1" from the floor. This keeps both the drywall and the trim up out of the way of any spills or water leaks.

What can I use instead of molding?

Medium density fiberboard molding, stick and peel strips, and polyurethane options are the best alternatives to crown molding. They are inexpensive and easy to install. You can also 'diy' the installation. Moreover, there is plenty of room to customize such options by painting them.

What can I use instead of trim?

5 Alternatives to Baseboards That Don't Skimp on CharmRubber Base Molding. Best for: Withstanding heavy foot traffic. ... Reglet Trim. Best for: Adding high-end elegance to new construction homes. ... Vinyl Wall Base. Best for: Protecting high-use areas for less than reglet. ... Porcelain Tile. ... Wood Quarter Round.

Is shoe molding and quarter round the same thing?

Shoe molding, also spelled "moulding," is smaller and thinner than quarter round, and can have a decorative profile. Quarter round is, literally, a quarter circle. The thin profile of shoe molding allows it to bend into place easily, where the stout quarter round does a better job covering large gaps.

Can you just glue quarter round?

A: Quarter-round should be nailed to the base boards only. It is intended to hide gaps between the base and floor. It should also permit a little movement in the flooring. Plus, it absorbs the impact of feet and furniture legs, so you may want to replace it sometime—thus, don't glue it.

When to use quarter round?

Quarter round is normally applied when the finish carpenters did not the scribe the base and there are gaps due to an uneven floor. When I see quarter round on a base I think less than perfect finish work.

Why didn't they use quarter round molding?

One reason they didn't use quarter rounds back in 1870's may be because they dind't make them or if they did, why would a carpenter put a molding on a molding if the first one did its job? Today it is done as a norm because the drywall trade has the baseboard molding in his contract (w hy in the world that is so baffles me to no end), the flooring trade is often the last one to come in (so other trades don't damage his installation) and now there is a gap between the baseboard trim and the hardwood floor. Thus the quarter round. But now our contracting norm creates all kinds of confusion for those of us who just love those beautiful lines and curves of the molding!

What is molding and trim?

Traditionally, molding or trim is a practical way to conceal a construction joint between 2 surfaces that meet at 90-degree angle. Craftsmen, not being merely tradesmen, who took pride in their work not just trying to save time or increase their profit, and owners seeking magnificence in their homes, elevated it beyond functionality to beauty. Thus we have arguments based on the function of concealing a gap OR personal preference. The problem with preference as a reference is that only the owner's opinion matters in which case no second opinion matters, yet it may change from time to time (put it on, take it off, put it on, take it off). This is also why you are not sure whether you like it or not. Subjective emotions change, all the time. Pity if life & death, good or evil depend on such precariousness! Shakespear famously said that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, I would only add, in the extreme cases. If beauty isn't objectively and commonly recognized, good-looking people won't monopolize our screens, Apple won't be the richest corporation in the world.

Why is a QR needed?

The ONLY reasons qr is ever needed is if the baseboard is thin, like 1/4 or 3/8, then the floor does not have sufficient room for expansion and contraction with the seasons, or if the floor is not quite level, or if the installer made some cuts a bit too short. QR is good for one thing, kindling in my fireplace. PRO.

What is quarter round flooring?

Quarter round is used 95% in most flooring installations except carpeting for a nice clean and finished look. Some like it without it and that is fine also if you can get away without it but for some reason, it always looks like something is missing.

What round should I use for a floor?

According to your pics, I tend to use the quarter round. These pieces should cover the gap between the surface of the floor and its adjoining walls.

How many threads are there on Quarter Round?

What dilemma, JLoleary! It doesn't really matter 3 years after your original post, but since there are over 700 threads on "quarter round", I suspect there are tons of people out there agonizing over the same dilemma. I trust that with both in your house, you have come to prefer one over the other, for good reason.

What to use instead of quarter round?from besthomefixer.com

Use a Shoe Molding Instead of Quarter Rounds

Why do contractors use quarter round molding?from besthomefixer.com

It means that they had to leave a small space between the edge of the flooring and the wall to account for any imperfection and then cover it with baseboards and quarter moldings. And this reduced the overall floor area of your house.

What does "install without quarter rounds" mean?from besthomefixer.com

It means installing the flooring without quarter rounds. And the good thing about this is that it works with a wide range of flooring options , including laminate and wooden flooring. But you have to be ready to remove the baseboards before you start installing your flooring.

Why do you put spacers between the wall and flooring?from besthomefixer.com

Place the spacers between the wall and flooring to help maintain the gap while installing your flooring.

Why use quarter round nails?from houzz.com

From an install standpoint: quarter round works well because it is flexible and so you can mold it to the floor and original baseboard for a tight finish. What you have chosen may be a bit more difficult and require more/larger nails. A newer home probably won't have those issues. wyndyacre. 5 years ago.

What is a quarter round?from besthomefixer.com

A quarter round is a strip of wood generally pressed between the floor and the wall to help cover the gap left between the flooring and the baseboard. The quarter round hovers over the gap without blocking the space that the contractor leaves.

How far should replacement floors stop short?from houzz.com

Replacement floors do not run under the base. They should stop short around 3/8"-1/2" from the base, depending on season and material. That gap is what quarter covers.

Do you have to have the base installed before you put in prefinished floors?

Most home builders will have the base installed and finished before any prefinished floors are installed. On the other hand, unfinished floors generally have the base installed afterwards. Why? Builders like to schedule most of the work together so they don't have to track down the sub contractors at a later date to come in and handle small duties.

Can you leave baseboards there?

Leave The Baseboard There. The Installers Can Fit To It

Can you put baseboard on prefinished hardwood floors?

For prefinished floors the baseboard is installed, caulked and painted; basically finished. It doesn't leave you much of a choice, but many prefer the appearance of baseboard only next to their hardwood floor. Unfortunately in this case removal and re installation of the base can create problems.

What does baseboard do?

The baseboard does provide a level of protection to the wall from vacuum cleaners, mops, peoples shoes, etc. that you would miss without baseboard.

Can you finish a meeting of walls and floors?

You can, but it is not the approved method to finish of the meeting of your wall and floor. Keep in mind that if you use non standard methods on your house, you may lower the value of it if you ever want to sell it.

Do door mouldings need to fit mop board?

You also need to keep in mind that door moulding needs to “fit" the mop board/moulding you select. I have seen some rooms which have quarter round for baseboards and in my less tha

Can you use quarter round without baseboard?

Sure, you can use quarter round without a baseboard as long as the crack you’re covering stays behind the quarter round. It is a plain, simple, clean look.

Can you finish sheetrock all the way to the floor?

You can, but I don't think you want to. You would have to finish the sheetrock almost all the way to the floor. Then you will have virtually no protection for the bottom of the sheetrock. Another term for baseboard is mopboard and that's what it does, protects the wall from mops, vacuuming and other hazards.

Why do companies resist removing baseboards?

The two companies that are resisting removing the baseboards probably want to make the most money they can realize when doing your job or don't have the skilled labor to remove and reinstall the baseboards.

Can you reinstall baseboards after new flooring is installed?

One flooring company was recommending careful removal of our painted baseboards in these rooms and then reinstall the baseboards after new floor is installed, with paint touch up, fill and recaulking as needed.

Can you use baseboard on hardwood floors?

There is no 'standard' on how baseboard and trim should be part of a hardwood floor job. Sometimes the decision on whether to just use baseboard or add the shoe molding comes down to simple aesthetics...i.e., which 'looks' best to your eye and works with the architectural details and the decorating styles in the home.