Should carpet or baseboards be installed first?

Generally, the installation of carpet or baseboard is easier for whoever installs first. 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.

Do you put down baseboard before or after carpet?

Baseboard Installation

Baseboards are often installed before flooring, since they must be finished in place with either stain or paint and this is much easier without worrying about staining the hardwood, tile or carpet.

How high do you put baseboards before carpet?

The best height for baseboard when carpet is going to be installed is 3/8". Why? Raised base makes it easier for the carpet installer to install ANY thickness of carpet and the edges look better.

Can you install baseboards after carpet?

The baseboards can be applied either before or after the carpet is installed, so if you already have carpet you shouldn't be deterred from installing some baseboards.

Do baseboards go in before flooring?

Baseboards are often installed before flooring, although it depends on the type of flooring being used. It is necessary for carpeting to have the trim in place, allowing the edges to be tucked under and out of sight. However, for hardwood or laminate, it is easier to install the trim after.

Should I remove baseboards before my flooring installation

Should there be a 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.

How do you fill the gap between baseboard and carpet?

Does baseboard sit on subfloor?

The Standard. If you are just replacing the baseboards without flooring in place, then most contractors will ask you to give them between ⅜ and ½ inch of room between the subfloor and the baseboards. This will allow them the room they need to tuck your flooring underneath the baseboards.

How high should baseboards be off the floor?

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.

Does carpet need to be tucked under baseboard?

A general rule for the space needed underneath the baseboard is 3/8 of an inch to one-inch, depending on the pad's and carpet's thickness. This space creates enough room for the carpet to be tucked underneath the baseboard.

Do you have to tuck carpet under baseboard?

Unless you are working with a new build, any contractor you come into contact with is going to leave the baseboards intact while replacing or installing carpet. Most carpet and padding stop before the wall and are secured with a nail tack strip.

Should you caulk under baseboards?

Caulk on both the top and bottom edge of the baseboards closes the gaps to keep the bugs out. It's more effective, cheaper, easier, and safer than hassling with insecticide sprays and powders to protect your walls. Aesthetics are another good reason to caulk.

Do you put quarter round on carpet?

No. Quarter round is meant for hard surface installations. It covers gaps between the floors and baseboards and sits flush to the hard surface floors. Carpet is plushy and if you mushed it down with quarter round it would look weird!

Do baseboards need to be nailed to studs?

Base Molding

The standard method of installation is to install two nails over each wall stud. The top nail should hit the stud and the bottom nail should either hit the stud or the floor plate, which is 1-1/2 inches higher than the subfloor.

Can you caulk baseboards to floor?

Caulking between the baseboard and floorboards will help solve gaps imperfections on the floor. Caulking the gaps in trim joints, and the gap between flooring baseboards, improve water impermeability of the floor.

Should you paint baseboards before installing?

If the baseboards have not yet been installed, you should always paint the baseboards before installation. Minor damage to the paint finish will occur during installation, but this is expected. With most of the painting already done, you'll only need to do a small amount of touch-up after installing the baseboards.

Should you CALK around toilet?

Caulk prevents a fouling area. If mop water, bathtub water, or a less pleasant “bathroom liquid” gets underneath the toilet, there is no way to clean it up. Caulking around the base of the toilet will prevent this from happening.

Do you caulk quarter round to baseboard?

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 tool do you use to cut baseboards?

The power miter saw is the most widely used for baseboard cutting. It cuts clean miters or straight, 90-degree crosscuts with precision and little or no splintering or grain-blowout.

Will Home Depot cut baseboard?

Yes, Home Depot has a wood cutting area where they serve customers by cutting their wood to the size they need. Any of the wood that you purchase in-store will be cut for free in this area, however, they will not allow you to bring in your own wood from somewhere else.

Can you cut a baseboard while still on the wall?

Most of the time, the baseboard comes off with ease and you can cut it and refit it after the unit is in place. But in the case of large, multi-piece baseboard, or a baseboard that's glued or otherwise stuck to the wall, you can cut out just one section while the baseboard is still in place.