What is the point of shoe molding?

Paired with baseboard and stained or painted to match your trim, shoe molding (also known as “base shoe”) is a small, thin strip of molding that gives your room a finished look. Shoe molding adds a decorative touch while covering any gaps that might lie between the bottom of baseboard and the floor.

Why do people use shoe molding?

Moldings are used to cover the expansion area, to hide cut ends, to adjust height differences or transitions between floors and to aesthetically finish the area.” Using shoe molding gives the floor installer more latitude in their end cuts and also allows you to hide the expansion gaps between the wall and the floor.

What is better quarter round or shoe molding?

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 the purpose of quarter round trim?

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. However, this style of moulding is always shaped like a quarter of a circle, hence the name.

Is quarter round molding 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.

Shoe Moulding Tips and Tricks

Do you put shoe molding around cabinets?

Shoe molding is usually installed to the perimeter of the base cabinets in your kitchen, connecting and adding a decorative element to the space between your cabinets and your flooring.

Should shoe molding match baseboards?

Should Shoe Molding Match the Baseboard or the Floor? While there's no hard and fast rule on this, here's our thoughts on it: If you are laying quarter round or shoe molding on hardwood floors, you should lay a quarter round or shoe molding that matches the floor wood grain & stain.

Are baseboards necessary?

Baseboards Protect Against Water Damage: Because of their material, drywall is susceptible to moisture damage. Without baseboards, moisture spilled on the floor could easily penetrate the drywall, expanding upward and creating unsightly damage.

Why do baseboards have grooves?

The back of the trim is grooved to permit bending and makes it easier to install. Flat baseboard is versatile — it can be used in nearly any style of home.

How do you install shoe molding without a nail gun?

On a clean work area, lay down the shoe molding face down and apply a bead of liquid nails in a zig-zag pattern so it covers the length of the molding. Put the molding up to the wall with the adhesive side facing the wall and press firmly into place. Carefully make sure everything is lined up.

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.

Which way do you install shoe molding?

If you are installing base shoe molding, make sure that the long edge of the molding is upright against the wall. Make a light angle mark to show the general direction the miter cut will make—it does not need to be precise.

Do I need quarter round for vinyl flooring?

No you never need to use quarterround.

Do hardwood floors need shoe molding?

You don't need it. You can have the contractor install the baseboards first (obviously) and then look at it and see what you think. With some flooring and trim colors, you might see a dark line (a shadow) that bothers you, esp where there are the inevitable gaps.

Is moulding necessary?

Putting crown molding in other side rooms is purely an aesthetic choice and isn't necessary, although it may increase the cost of the room's design initially, as it's harder to cover the gaps between the wall and the ceiling without any kind of molding and will take a bit more time to finish.

Is shoe molding expensive?

Base shoe molding costs anywhere from $0.38 per linear foot to $1.45 per linear foot, depending on the material, thickness, and style. Wood tends to be the most expensive, while PVC trim is at the lower end.

Why do baseboards have cutout in back?

The main reason the recess is in the back of all moldings is to "thin" the wood, reducing the amount of continuous rings in the wood that helps control cupping. There is a fringe benefit of that relief in the back of trim, it helps get past some irregularities in the wall.

Why does baseboard have a gap on the back?

First, the hollowing out reduces the strength or stiffness of the moulding, allowing whatever fastening system that is used (nails, staples, etc.) to better hold the moulding firm to the surface it is attached.

Do modern houses have baseboards?

Different Types of Baseboards

Homeowners of contemporary, suburban homes could consider either traditional or modern styles. Homes in the midcentury or modern styles should venture into clean, simple baseboard styles, or going with a no baseboard look.

Do baseboards increase home value?

Metrie surveyed real estate professionals and found that 97% of respondents said that moldings and trim affected the overall price of the home.

Do you paint shoe molding before installing?

Many experts say that it's wise to paint the trim before you install it. It's a fast and easy process that can dramatically speed up paint time.

What is the difference between shoe molding and baseboard?

Today, the main goal of both baseboard and shoe molding is to conceal the less-than-appealing transition between the bottom of the wall and the floor. Baseboard alone covers most of the gap, but because it's larger than shoe molding, it's relatively stiff and doesn't conform well to an uneven floor.