Are quarter rounds necessary?
One of the most common questions people ask is if they really need the base shoe, or if it's just an add on. The answer is a simple yes. Without it, there is typically a gap between the trim and flooring, which is not only unattractive but makes it extremely easy for dirt and debris to build up under the base trim.
What is quarter round trim called?
Quarter round is a small strip of trim used to cover the gap between the baseboard and the floor. This trim is called quarter round because it's exactly one-quarter of a circle.
Which is better shoe molding or quarter round?
Quarter round also comes in various sizes which makes it even more versatile for a range of applications. Shoe molding is much the same as quarter round, having the same 90° angle on the backside but instead of being a perfect quarter radius, its profile is a bit more squat.
Do you put quarter round on baseboards?
While quarter-round can be installed along the bottom of baseboard, trim carpenters and homeowners tend to prefer the sleeker look of shoe molding, which is taller and narrower than its curved counterpart.
What is the purpose of quarter round?
Quarter round is another moulding style typically paired with baseboards to cover up gaps and imperfections between the base and the floor. As such, it essentially has the same purpose as shoe moulding.
How do you install quarter round trim?
1:4816:54How To Install Quarter Round Like A Pro - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNow this quarter round is only 94 inches long so i like to get the most out of it then add the smallMoreNow this quarter round is only 94 inches long so i like to get the most out of it then add the small piece at the end. So a lot of cuts are 92 from long to short or 92 from shorts. Along.
Should baseboards match floor or trim?
Match the Baseboard and Trim Even if you use the same exact stain on all your woodwork, the wood itself is made from different quality material and has been milled and sanded differently. This affects the way the stain takes to the wood.
Should baseboards touch the floor?
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.
Do you caulk quarter round to floor?
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.
Do door frames and baseboards have to match?
MYTH: Everything should match Similarly, door casings and doors don't have to match. Having a light casing and baseboard contrast a dark door achieves a very modern look. Still, keep in mind that choosing colours that are simple will make it easier to change wall colours in time, if desired.
Does your hardwood floor need to match your trim?
It is not a requisite for your hardwood floor to match your trims. However, matching your floors with trims can be visually appealing in many cases. Therefore, you will have to understand the visual effects brought about by your painted or stained trims to decide the best option.
How do you fill the gap between baseboard and floor?
If the gap between your baseboard and tile floor is ¼-inch or smaller, it should be filled with caulk. If the gap is larger than this, it's best to install shoe molding to hide the gap. When caulking gaps between your floor and tile, it's essential to use a paintable caulk.
What is baseboard trim called?
In architecture, a baseboard (also called skirting board, skirting, wainscoting, mopboard, trim, floor molding, or base molding) is usually wooden or vinyl board covering the lowest part of an interior wall.
What is cove molding for?
Cove moldings are used where walls and ceiling meet. They have a concave profile, and for this reason, they are often used as inside corner guards, or to hide joints. Cove molding profiles are measured by the width, and then by the length of the profile.
What is the opposite of quarter round?
Like quarter-round pieces, shoe molding has a curved edge and is used as a transition piece between flooring materials and adjoining walls. Unlike quarter-round molding, the curve of shoe molding is less pronounced.
What is a cove base?
Cove base, that is a base w/a toe or lip at the bottom of the shape. This shape has primarily been used on hard surface floors. The toe helps cover up the perimeter of the installation as most tile is installed w/a small gap between the tile and the wall. These days, many designers use cove base with carpet as well.
What is Quarter Round Molding?
Quarter round is one-quarter of a round dowel that’s cut to be nearly perfectly symmetrical in width and height. It’s a piece of trim work that’s one-quarter of a circle and is designed to lie perfectly flat. Quarter round is similar to shoe molding but differs in that it’s always the same size and shape.
Where to put shoe molding and quarter round?
Installing both shoe molding and quarter round at the edge of your baseboards is a fairly straightforward project. Follow these steps and tips in order to achieve a successful installation.
What is the purpose of molding on baseboards?
A small piece of molding is used to finish off the baseboard installation and close the gap between the floor and the baseboard itself. In general, there are two types of molding that can be used to fill this gap; shoe molding and quarter round molding. Although they appear to be almost identical and can be interchangeable in some cases, ...
Does shoe molding have a quarter radius?
Although these two types of finishing trim are almost identical, shoe molding does not have the same perfect quarter radius that comes with the construction of quarter round. Instead, the profile of shoe molding is more squat. The use of shoe molding gives the installer more leeway in their end cuts.
Can quarter round be used on baseboard?
While quarter round can also be used along the baseboard to fill gaps, homeowners and carpenters often prefer to use shoe molding. The sleeker, taller, and narrower look of shoe molding is more desirable than the curved nature of the quarter round.
Can quarter round molding be used as trim?
When it comes to using quarter round or shoe molding as your finishing trim, it’s all a matter of preference. They are almost identical materials with just a few very slight differences when examined further. Both offer the flexibility and versatility to mold against most flooring profiles.
Is Baseboard Molding Necessary?
While it can be tempting to try to get away without including baseboard molding, this isn’t a good idea. People often make the mistake of thinking that quarter round and shoe molding are only cosmetic. While it serves the purpose of giving your home a nice finishing touch, it also serves other purposes.
What is quarter round trim?
How to Apply Quarter Round Trim. Like other types of finish trim, quarter round conceals a seam and creates a decorative transition between two separate planes. True to its name, quarter round is one-quarter of a cylinder.
What wood is quarter round?
Quarter round is available in pine for painting or can be found in oak, ash, maple and other types of hardwood for staining. To match existing woodwork, stain and finish the quarter round before installing it. After it’s on – fill the holes left by the finish nails with wood putty that matches the stain color.
Can you nail trim to drywall?
Avoid nailing the trim to drywall, which does not offer a suitable base. For example, if you’re installing the trim in the seam between a cabinet and a wall, drive the finish nails into the cabinet, not the wall.
Can you paint quarter round molding?
If the quarter round is one piece of trim on a project, such as ornate crown molding that you will paint, install all the trim pieces first, and then sand and fill holes before painting the entire item to make it look as if it’s a single unit.
Can you cut corners with a miter saw?
Unless you’re install ing a single piece of quarter round between two objects, you’re going to have some outside or inside corners. You can cut outside corners with a miter saw before nailing, but it's best to use a cope joint for inside corners.
Can you use a cope joint for quarter round?
Unless you’re installing a single piece of quarter round between two objects, you’re going to have some outside or inside corners. You can cut outside corners with a miter saw before nailing, but it's best to use a cope joint for inside corners.
Can you use quarter round trim on floor?
Quarter round is narrow, typically about 3/4 inch wide, or less, measured along its two straight edges. Because of its small size, quarter round by itself typically is not suitable to use as baseboard around the perimeter of a floor. You can install it, however, between baseboard and the floor. Standard quarter round is slightly flexible, making it possible to bend the trim to conform to slight variations in the floor level.
What Are Quarter-Round and Shoe-Molding Trim Types?
Either of two types of molding can be used: quarter-round or shoe molding. After installation, both will look similar, though their profiles are different.
How to think of quarter round molding?
The length that the quarter-round protrudes from the wall is the same as its height. Another way to think of quarter-round molding is to imagine a round dowel. From the end, the dowel is cut into four pie pieces. Each resulting piece would be a quarter-round.
How to miter cut a mold?
Miter-Cut the First Molding Piece. Set the handsaw or miter saw blade to 45 degrees. Position the trim piece on the miter box or saw base so the blade just touches the pencil mark. Make sure the blade is to the outside edge of the pencil mark, preserving the mark.
What is the best tool for nailing quarter round molding?
The preferred tool for nailing shoe molding or quarter-round is an electric finish or brad nailer. This tool will automatically set or recess small finish nails, and can greatly speed up your work. To use a nailer, first calibrate the depth of the nailer, using a piece of waste trim on another waste board.
What is better, caulking or quarter round?
Installing quarter-round or shoe molding is a better option.
What angle to use for trim miters?
For example, if an outside corner is 94 degrees rather than 90 degrees, making the trim miters at 47 degrees will create a perfect fit. Do-it-yourselfers, too, can experiment with different angles (by using waste trim) for a perfect fit.
How many degrees do you cut molding at corners?
This requires you to cut the ends of the moldings at 45 degrees to make the 90-degree corners . This installation also demonstrates how to cut and install a return: a small piece that finishes off an exposed end of the trim.
What is quarter round wood?
Quarter round (sometimes called shoe moulding) is a lovely finishing touch in most rooms. Fortunately, these thin pieces of wood are easy to cut using a basic miter box and hand saw. With a bit of care, you can effectively cut quarter round for joints and corners, and/or use the "round return" method for door jambs.
How to measure quarter round?
1. Select your pieces of quarter round. Quarter round is available in 8 foot (240 cm) long pieces, or 16 foot (490 cm) long pieces. If you don't already know the width of your walls, you will need to measure them. Select pieces that closely match the width of your walls and purchase them. For most rooms, 8 foot (240 cm) long pieces are easier ...
How to cut quarter round with miter saw?
Locate the slot that represents the correct angle for your cut. Steady the miter box with your non-dominant hand, and hold the saw in your dominant hand. Apply pressure with the saw and move it back and forth over the quarter round until your cut is finished.
How to cut corners in 45 degree angles?
For most corners, cut corner pieces at 45-degree angles in opposite directions (one to the left and one to the right, so that they fit together). For corners that are very different from 90 degrees, measure the angle with a protractor, and divide this number by 2 to determine the angle of your cuts. If your quarter round will end ...
What angle should quarter round be cut?
Each piece of quarter round will end at either a joint, a corner, or a door jamb. Quarter round will always be cut at an angle, usually 45 degrees.
How to cut a joint in the same direction?
If you’re cutting a joint piece, angle the 45-degree cuts in the same direction, so that they both angle left. Alternatively, cut the angles in opposite directions if they’ll meet in a corner.
What is quarter round molding?
Quarter round is another moulding style typically paired with baseboards to cover up gaps and imperfections between the base and the floor. As such, it essentially has the same purpose as shoe moulding.
Why do people use quarter round molding?
Shoe moulding and quarter round appeal to homeowners because they add a bit of sophistication and style to baseboards and frames. They also allow designers and homeowners to build seamless and smooth transitions between floors, walls, and counters.
Why is molding different from baseboard?
It differs, though, because it can be taller and styled differently. This molding style serves as a versatile cap for baseboards that solve many issues homeowners face when they’re trying to cover seams and conceal variations between the flooring and baseboards.
How to measure for a wall?
Use a tape measure to measure the entire area you’re going to cover. Once you have those numbers, begin to cut your pieces to size. Don’t forget to cut the outside and inside corners, as you’ll need those to create seamless and smooth transitions.
Can quarter round be used on baseboards?
There are various ways to use shoe moulding and quarter round. They aren’t limited to just baseboards. They can be used around the edges of windows, door frames, and staircases.
Is shoe moulding the same as quarter round?
Shoe moulding and quarter round are almost identical moulding styles, and utilizing them can elevate the look and design of any home. Many people believe these two moulding styles are interchangeable. At a glance, that seems to be the case, but that’s not always true.
What's the difference between shoe molding vs quarter round?
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 shoe molding?
Shoe molding is a slim trim used to fill the gap between the baseboard and the floor. It creates a clean transition between the wall and the floor.
When should I use shoe molding?
Some people might think, "Why would I install shoe molding when I already have a nice baseboard?"
How do I use shoe molding?
Installing shoe molding isn't too hard for the average homeowner to tackle themselves, but there are several things to know.
Frequently Asked Questions about shoe molding?
Baseboards don't need shoe molding. However, shoe molding can help clean up gaps between baseboards and the floor. If you're happy with your baseboards, then you don't need to stress about adding shoe molding or quarter round.
What is quarter round?
Quarter round is a small strip of trim used to cover the gap between the baseboard and the floor. This trim is called quarter round because it's exactly one-quarter of a circle.
When should I use quarter round?
Quarter round is similar to shoe molding. The main difference is that quarter round is slightly larger.
What is the purpose of quarter round trim?
Quarter round's purpose is to cover gaps and flaws, it's not used for architectural detailing. There are better trims for that. When I see quarter round I see flaws being covered up. Only use it when necessary. And I would use cove moulding before I would use quarter round.
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.
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.