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does carpet or trim go first

by Mustafa Harris Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Installing the baseboards first makes it much easier to stain and paint your baseboards because you don't have to worry about getting any stain or paint on the brand-new carpet. If you choose to install your baseboards first, be sure to: Leave a gap for the carpet. (Use a spacer if you need to.)Feb 21, 2022

Full Answer

Do You Install Carpet or Trim First?

How to nail in wood?

What happens if you paint trim first?

Why do you have to tuck the edges of carpet?

Why can't I run carpet up to the edge of the trim?

How to cut baseboard for corner?

How to make a corner with baseboard?

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Trim before or after carpet? | DIY Home Improvement Forum

I am finishing my basement and am approaching the end. I am going to hire out the carpet. So should I install the baseboard trim first or just wait until the carpet is installed. I saw some sites that said that you can install the trim with 1/4" spacers, but would it be easier, and make more...

Which comes first - floors or trim? - Fine Homebuilding

Which comes first — hardwood floors or baseboard trim? We are building a new home and have been struggling whether to put the hardwood floor or baseboard trim first. At […]

Order of Installation: Trim and Carpeting - GreenBuildingAdvisor

I'm a trim guy. Going ahead of the carpet and positioning baseboard in mid-air using shims has lots more advantages: makes spanning uneven subfloors easier; gives some vertical wiggle room that makes miters and copes easier to fit; allows the baseboard to ride a little higher up on the drywall to escape the dreaded drywall taper; guarantees that the homeowner won't move furniture in to get in ...

Should we install carpet before the baseboard and door casings?

My two cents worth..... We always install the base trim and door trim first. If you have split jam doors with the casings already attached, you must install them first or you will have a real problem fitting the jams to the floor between rooms.

Install carpet or baseboards first? - Houzz

We are updating our whole house with new carpeting, painting, baseboards and trim, stairway etc. I have removed the baseboards and have painted the ceiling and walls. Now do I install the new baseboards and then have the carpet installed, or do I have the carpet installed and then install the new ...

Why use shims for baseboard?

Going ahead of the carpet and positioning baseboard in mid-air using shims has lots more advantages: makes spanning uneven subfloors easier; gives some vertical wiggle room that makes miters and copes easier to fit; allows the baseboard to ride a little higher up on the drywall to escape the dreaded drywall taper; guarantees that the homeowner won't move furniture in to get in my way; lets me be on my way without waiting for the carpet installers who are always late; I could go on.

How much gap between floor and baseboard for carpet?

If your floors are out of level, as they are in many old homes, you may need to scribe the bottom of the baseboard to maintain a 1/4" to 3/8" gap. Less than 1/4" and they may not have space to tuck the carpeting. If the gap is too small they can roll and tuck the carpet, but it's nicer, longer lasting and easier to tuck it under the baseboard.

What is the standard gap for carpet?

3/8" is the standard gap. The underlayment stops shy of the tack strips, so its only the depth of the carpet that matters - and I don't think those deep shags we remember are coming back.

Can you install baseboard tight to subfloor?

The shims are then removed. This allows a space for the carpet to be tucked. Don't install the baseboard tight to the subfloor.

Can you replace carpet with 3/8"?

and that the pad doesn't get tucked under the baseboard...and that I might be able to replace carpet at some point with a bit thicker or a bit thinner carpet.

Can a painter come back for a touch up?

Everything Malcolm said, plus your painter can always come back for small touch-ups should the carpet installer cause minor (hopefully) damage to the trim or drywall.

Why do they use the base first?

The "original method" was base first, because they were doing plaster, they used the base as a stop, then hardwood floor w/ a gap at the base, then shoe mold to hide the gap. The shoe is nailed to the base, NOT the floor, to allow for seasonal movement of the flooring.

What is a Connecticut shoe?

One other method I forgot to mention is the "Connecticut shoe" which is a stained shoe installed on the floor against the wall, the painted base is then installed on top of the shoe, the base having a rabbet cut on the bottom of the backside, the base then covers the very top portion of the shoe leaving the bottom portion exposed, the shoe is really more of a small base-cap molding profile rather than a "traditional" shoe mold...... this is definitely a "regional style" and seems to date back to the early to mid fifties give or take a few years.

What does the base and shoe mean?

base and shoe is to hid the cracks you'd see while standing and looking down.

Why do I put floor first, door casings, and baseboards?

I've always done it floor first, then door casings, then baseboards. Mostly because the floors need some space at the walls to allow for expansion- at least 1/2" or so. If the baseboards are installed first,and then the floor tight to the baseboards, then there can't be enough room for expansion.

How high is the base trim on a Florr?

The base trim is actually about 6 inches high so in theory, we have space to lose and it'll stick look "thick". Might be best to just have the florr run up against and see if we need a shoe to hide the space. We'll still try to get the base boards pulled off or raised and see if he bites.

Do you need a shoe mold for hardwood floors?

On modern installs, hardwood is 1st (prefinished 3/4", site finished, or engineered floors) leaving a gap at the walls, then base is installed (scribed to floor if needed), covering the gap, on top of hardwood. There is no need for a shoe mold as the gap is covered by the base, but it's use is more from "tradition" than necessity, as there is no exposed gap.

What is trim on wheels?

trim on wheels would be the rims.

What is trim puller?

A trim puller can come in different sizes and vary slightly in design, but the general idea is the same. The tool lets you slide behind the baseboard and gently loosen the nails securing the baseboard. Before you begin, you will need to look and see if there is a seal between the baseboard and the wall.

Why do you need to install baseboards?

Installing baseboard is a great way to increase the aesthetic appeal of your home. It can add a clean, polished look to any room, whether it is with carpet or hardwood floors. If you choose to hire a professional to install the baseboard, the professionals may have a preference about whether they prefer to install the carpet first or the baseboard first.

What is baseboard trim?

Baseboard is a strip of material, usually wood but occasionally plastic or other materials, that runs along the junction between the floor and the wall.

How long should nails be for baseboard?

For most applications, nails that are 2 to 2.5 inches in length are sufficient, and a gauge between 15 and 18 is usually of the appropriate sturdiness.

What is the purpose of baseboards?

Baseboards serve a decorative purpose but they also have a functional role. Baseboards keep the lowest part of the wall from being damaged and from getting dirty. They also help specifically protect the wall from being scuffed or damaged by shoes. Trim is a more encompassing term that can include baseboards.

Why paint baseboards?

Often, you may want to paint your baseboards in order to match walls or add a creative touch to your home. Painting baseboards can be deceptively tricky, so it is helpful to know a few tricks to make the job easier before you decide to begin.

Do you need to prime baseboards before painting?

Some baseboards are pre-primed. With these, you may not need to prime before painting. Priming is not absolutely necessary, but if you choose not to prime your baseboards you may end up having to paint several layers of paint before you reach the desired opacity level. If your baseboards are somewhere there is a lot of moisture, such as a bathroom, consider using a moisture vapor barrier primer to help protect the baseboards long-term.

Do you have to remove baseboards before installing carpet?

Do baseboards have to be removed to install carpet? No, baseboards do not need to be removed. When installing baseboards before carpet, ask the installer how large of a gap to leave between the floor and the trim (e.g., ½’’).

Can you paint baseboards and put caulk on carpet?

However, when installing the baseboard later, painting and applying caulk can be a more tedious task to avoid mixing it in the carpet. If the tack strip or carpet is uneven in the areas where the baseboard is installed, the baseboard could be difficult to install leveled.

Can you install baseboards before carpet?

Some professionals may have a strong preference, but ultimately baseboards can be installed before or after carpet. Ask your carpet installer their preference to begin the discussion.

Can you put painters tape over baseboard?

They will need to be careful not to damage the baseboard when installing the tack strips. Try adding painters’ tape over the baseboard for protection.

Do You Install Carpet or Trim First?

So, if you’ve already done one or the other, no worries. However, if you have the option, you really want to do the trim first. Otherwise you’re going to have to be really careful of the carpet when you’re painting or staining the baseboards.

How to nail in wood?

Nail it in – Use an air compressor hooked to a trim nailer or a hammer and some finishing nails. You want to place your nails at least two to three inches from the edge of the wood (to prevent splitting) and to place the nail closer to the base. Do this on either side. If you need to put a nail in at the top to keep everything even, be sure to line it up with a stud. Don’t push down on the board as you nail, just let it rest on the spacers.

What happens if you paint trim first?

This is because, if you paint the trim first, you’ll get nail holes and scuffs in your paint job as you install. Painting first means that you’ll need to take another run through to cover all the defects that build up during installation.

Why do you have to tuck the edges of carpet?

Second, it’s required by building codes for the trim to be elevated. This gap prevents drywall from soaking up moisture from flooded carpet or flooring.

Why can't I run carpet up to the edge of the trim?

First, you’d be able to see the edge of the carpet, and that just wouldn’t look good. Having the edges tucked gives a much cleaner look.

How to cut baseboard for corner?

Cut the baseboard – Get your baseboard cut to the exact length of the space you’ll be putting it. If it’s going in a corner, cut a 45-degree angle into it. If the piece isn’t long enough to reach the opposite side, use a 30-degree angle to join the pieces.

How to make a corner with baseboard?

Cut the baseboard – Get your baseboard cut to the exact length of the space you’ll be putting it. If it’s going in a corner, cut a 45-degree angle into it. If the piece isn’t long enough to reach the opposite side, use a 30-degree angle to join the pieces. This will give a cleaner, more seamless look than simply butting boards up against each other.

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1.Do You Install Carpet or Trim First? | Home Repair Ninja

Url:https://homerepairninja.com/do-you-install-carpet-or-trim-first/

23 hours ago  · If you want to minimize the amount of time the new carpet is walked on, install the trim before the carpet. If you want to avoid the trim being damaged during the carpet …

2.Order of Installation: Trim and Carpeting

Url:https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/question/which-came-first-the-carpet-or-the-trim

21 hours ago Does carpet or trim go first? Baseboard installed on top of carpet should be installed at approximately the same height, with this exception: If you are not intending to install quarter …

3.Door jams and trim installed first or carpet first? - Houzz

Url:https://www.houzz.com/discussions/5937121/door-jams-and-trim-installed-first-or-carpet-first

33 hours ago  · Hardwood and tile first, then trim, and carpet last. - Once the carpet goes in on the tack strips, the trim can sandwich it so that you can't get it out when it needs replacing without …

4.Trim or Carpet First? - DoItYourself.com Community …

Url:https://www.doityourself.com/forum/paneling-trim/530128-trim-carpet-first.html

7 hours ago  · Paneling and Trim - Trim or Carpet First? - Which do you do first? Lay the carpet and then the baseboard trim, or the other way around. What's the conventional wisdom …

5.Which comes first - floors or trim? - Fine Homebuilding

Url:https://www.finehomebuilding.com/forum/which-comes-first-floors-or-trim

21 hours ago  · That means after the trim installation, first painting, the plumb, HVAC and Elect trim outs. The only exception is if the hardwood has to go under the toilet(s). The only …

6.Do Baseboards Go on Before or After the Carpet?

Url:https://www.interiorsplace.com/do-baseboards-go-on-before-or-after-the-carpet/

21 hours ago Some people find it easier to install the carpeting first so then you can set the trim to lay on top of it. Since carpeting can come in a range of thicknesses, this may be preferable to trying to …

7.Should You Install Baseboards Before Carpet? - Bend …

Url:https://bendtoolco.com/blogs/how-to/should-you-install-baseboards-before-carpet

11 hours ago  · No, baseboards do not need to be removed. When installing baseboards before carpet, ask the installer how large of a gap to leave between the floor and the trim (e.g., ½’’). …

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