Q: I recently purchased my first home and am beginning to prep to paint some rooms. I was happy to know that the hardwood floors throughout were just refinished before I moved in. When I began to take out the baseboards I was surprised to find out that the baseboards were installed first and the floor butts up against the baseboards.
I will be replacing the baseboards with new ones.
My question is, should I use larger baseboards and install them above the floor or should I push the new ones back into the gap? I assume I should put them on above the floor that way there is the necessary expansion gap for the floors.
A: I would install the base above the floor, as you mentioned and then install quarter round, either paint grade, primed or the wood species (oak) of your floor. If the base is painted, best to go with primed paint grade.
Related Questions
Kitchen floor installI am wanting to install hardwood floors in my kitchen. My question is how this can be done with my dishwasher and trash compactor? How do you adjust for the height of the wood flooring to them. You can't just install the wood up to them as you would not…
Missed instructions for floor installI have installed a hardwood floor over particle board (with tar paper between). I thought I had read enough instructions before beginning, but somehow I missed that I shouldn't put the flooring over particle board. What problems can I expect? What are some solutions? I haven't finished the floor (It's…
Should baseboards match floor?Q: I'm installing a cherry bamboo floor. Should the baseboards match the floor? A: Not necessarily. I would paint the base and possible quarter round. It gives a nice contrast and doesn't look like the floor is climbing the walls. Webmaster's note re should baseboards match floor: You can compare…
DIY Install of bamboo floorI am installing a bamboo floor that is 5/8" thick. I cannot find any place near me that rents an air powered flooring nailer (or shims to adjust a 3/8" or 3/4" ) to accommodate 5/8" thick flooring. How should I install it? Pre-drill and use a hammer and nail…
Gap around perimeter of laminate floorI have some uneven gaps around the perimeter of my laminate flooring which I am installing myself. In some places, they are as big as 10 mm. Can I cover them with Quarter rounds? Also, about the underlayment, should the underlayment run under the baseboards or should it be just…