Shoe molding is much the same as quarter round, having the same 90° angle on the backside but instead of being a perfect quarter radius, its profile is a bit more squat. Using shoe molding gives the floor installer more latitude in their end cuts and also allows the trim carpenter to hide un-level floors.
Keeping this in consideration, is quarter round molding necessary?
The problem is that most types of flooring need a little room around the edges to allow for expansion and contraction. If you leave the base molding in place and install new flooring, you must leave a gap in front of your existing base molding. That space now needs to be covered by quarter round molding.
Subsequently, question is, can I use quarter round instead of baseboard? Installing quarter-round or shoe molding is a better option. Baseboard molding installations are very often finished off with an additional thin piece of molding called quarter-round or shoe molding that covers the gap between the bottom of the baseboards and the floor.
Also to know, what is quarter round molding used for?
It is typically used as a decorative build-up element in mantels and other architectural features, and at the lower edge of baseboard to hide any gaps between it and a floor. Base shoe is used similarly in flooring applications. Quarter round is produced in hardwood, softwood, engineered wood, and extruded plastic.
What is 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.
11 Related Question Answers Found
Should door casing touch the floor?
In order to get a nice appearance, do not leave any gap between the side casing and the floor. If the casing doesn’t touch the floor, it is very hard to conceal this gap. It is important to leave the same space around the door jamb on all sides, otherwise you won’t be able to make the corner joints properly.
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.
Should baseboards touch the floor?
Baseboard installed on top of carpet should be installed at approximately the same height, with this exception: If you are not intending to install quarter round, or base shoe, the baseboard should be installed snugly on top of the carpet. Nail the baseboard only into the wall, never the floor.
How much does it cost to install quarter round molding?
Quarter round molding costs between $0.99-$2.99 per sq. ft. Threshold molding: finishes the space where the floor meets the carpet, or where a wall-base can’t be used. Threshold molding costs between $3.25-$6.99 per sq.
Should I use shoe molding?
Neither caulk nor shoe moulding are mandatory. They are aesthetic decisions and both are used to typically cover gaps. If you don’t like the gaps, use them. If the gaps aren’t there and don’t bother you, no biggie.
Should quarter round match cabinets or 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.
Should I paint quarter round before installing?
Painting quarter round baseboard once it’s installed can be challenging, so it’s best to apply a coat of primer and at least one finish coat before you nail it in. After making careful wall measurements, use a miter saw to cut 45-degree angles on both ends of each piece.
Can I use Liquid Nails to install quarter round?
Should I use Liquid Nails to glue the 1/4 round down, or is there a better way? A: Quarter-round should be nailed to the base boards only. Predrill the nail holes to avoid splitting the molding. Use standard carpenter’s glue for corners and intermediate joints.
Do baseboards and casings have to match?
Five or six inches would be more in scale. If you are using beefier 3 ½ or 4 1/2-inch door trim, 8- or 10-inch baseboards are more appropriate. Keep in mind, also, that the outside edge of the door molding has to be deep enough to accommodate the thickness of the baseboard.
How far apart do you put nails in quarter round?
Choose finish nails that are long enough to penetrate the thickness of the quarter round molding and the drywall with enough left over to go at least 1/2 inch into the wall’s base plate. Place the nails no more than 18 inches apart for 3/4-inch molding.
How do you install quarter round without a nail gun?
How To Install Quarter Round Molding Without A Nail Gun Step 1: Cut molding. Step 2: Lay molding against wall, flush with the floor. Step 3: Hammer your finishing nail almost all the way into the wall. Step 4: Use the nail set to drive the nail the rest of the way in. Step 5: Finish with sealant. Step 6: Cover nail heads.