Here's another
question often asked over the years. The answer
lies in the timing of the building or remodeling process. Yea,
that doesn't make sense. See below.
Why Use Quarter Round
Against Baseboard Anyway?
Most home builders will
have the baseboard 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
work together so they don't
have to track down the sub contractors at a
later date to come in and handle small duties.
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
only baseboard next to their hardwood floor.
Unfortunately in this case removal and re
installation of the base can create problems.
Not only can some pieces get damaged beyond
being reusable but the caulk joints between the
base and drywall have to be redone. The builder
has to call in the paint and trim guy to do the
same job twice.
Plan Ahead. Tell The
Builder...
If your preference is no
quarter round, let the builder know far in
advance. Now the baseboard will be installed
after the floor. Everything is peaces and cream
now, right? Not necessarily. The subfloor may
have had a few waves in it which is now visible
with gaps between the baseboard and the finished
floor. This is not necessarily a hardwood
installers problem. Installers should be held
responsible for maintaining a flat subfloor
before the work begins, but the range should
only be 3/16 of one inch over ten feet. A few
areas that gap an eighth of an inch could be
scribed to fit. This will be a trim carpenters
responsibility.
If you're not prepared for
this, you may be facing a dilemma you were
trying to avoid all along. Now the builder may
be saying..."do you want quarter round to match
the floor or the baseboard?" Plan ahead, let the
builder know you want baseboard only, even if it
requires additional work.
So What Do I Do. Match
The Floor or Baseboard?
This decision is more or a
personal preference, but leads to other related
issues. The numerous calls we've had over the
years indicates varying methods. Colder northern
climates often see dark baseboards where many
match the color of the base and not the floor.
Moving to southern climates, lighter colored
base is often the norm, with trim painted the
same color.
Quarter Round Or Shoe
Molding?
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 ˝ inches off
the floor. Often the trim towers against the
baseboard.
Shoe molding on the other hand provides a
narrower visual, in that the dimensions are for
the most part 7/16” by 5/8 inches in height. It
may not sound like much but look at an example
of both and you’ll agree shoe looks sleeker and
doesn’t shout out at you.
Leave The Baseboard
There. The Installers Can Fit To It
Chances are good you will
not get far with any builder, installer or store
owner on this one. Not only is net fitting to
the baseboard very time consuming but it will
restrict the natural expansion and contraction
properties hardwood floors need. |
