Install baseboards above floor or push them into gap?

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.