Should shoe Moulding touch the floor?

The most important thing to know about shoe molding is that you always nail it into the wall, never the floor.

Should there be a gap between baseboards and the floor?

Baseboard gaps aren't functional, i.e., they shouldn't be there. But they are common and may not indicate anything more serious than uneven floors or carpet removal. There are cases where gaps aren't normal. Poorly built floors that sag or slope and unevenly cut or installed baseboards can create a gap.

Do you nail shoe molding to the floor?

Tip: It is important to remember that shoe molding should always be nailed into the baseboard and never into the floor.

How far off floor should baseboard be?

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.

Do you caulk between shoe molding 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.

You're a "HACK" if you use 1/4 ROUND TRIM or SHOE MOLDING

Are you supposed to caulk between quarter round and 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.

How high off the floor should molding be for 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.

How much space should be between hardwood floor and baseboard?

If you plan on installing carpet, your baseboards should be about 1 inch off the floor. This will give you enough room for the padding and the carpeting. If you are leaving the floors uncarpeted, you should not have any gaps. At most, the gap should be around the width of a quarter to prevent heavy drafts.

Can you install shoe molding without nail gun?

Similar to most carpentry jobs shoe molding installation can be done with a hammer and nails. A nail gun can take their place, of course, and can make it easier when placing shoe molding around doors and inside tight corners.

What do you use to fill the gap between baseboard and wall?

The best way to fill the gap between a baseboard and the wall is by using caulk. If the gap is wider than 1/4-inch, you should use a foam strip to fill the gap most of the way and then caulk as the filler for the rest.

Should baseboards touch vinyl flooring?

Don't want to deal with removing baseboards? You can leave them in place, but you will need to leave a ¼” gap between the baseboard and flooring, to account for expansion over time. You may want to purchase some quarter-round pieces in a matching color to cover up this gap.

Should baseboards touch the hardwood 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.

Should you put trim down before carpet?

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.

Does carpet have to go under baseboard?

Do baseboards go on before or after the carpet? Generally, choosing whether to install baseboards before or after the carpet is a matter of preference. If installed before the carpet, you need to leave a gap between the floor and the baseboard.

How high should baseboards be?

A general rule of thumb for your baseboards is the 7 percent rule — they should equal 7 percent of the overall height of your room. So, if you have 8-foot ceilings, your baseboards will look best at around 7 inches high.

Do you caulk where baseboard meets 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.

Do you need to caulk bottom of baseboards?

Caulk at the bottom of the baseboard reduces the risk of this happening. Gaps and cracks around baseboards give insects an easy way into your walls where they can build nests and eat away at the structure of your home unseen. Caulk on both the top and bottom edge of the baseboards closes the gaps to keep the bugs out.

How do I cover a large gap between a wall and floor?

If you're fixing a gap between a floor and a painted wall, such as a bedroom or living room wall, use a latex caulk. Choose a color that closely resembles the paint of your wall so the gap isn't noticeable. Look for latex caulk at department stores, home improvement stores, hardware stores, and online.

Can I use a pin nailer for shoe molding?

The finish nails will leave larger holes (16 gauge vs 18 gauge usually) and will be more likely to split the wood. Based on the size of your shoe, i dont think you could use pin nails (18-23 gauge). The Big Box home improvement store always sell kits with finish, brad, and pin nailers for pretty cheap.