Installing Baseboard Molding Before Carpet

Take it from a 31 year professional installer put down the baseboards first leaving a gap at the bottom for the very best.

Installing baseboard molding before carpet.

Oftentimes it is best to install the baseboards after the carpet is installed simply because of these tack strips. Baseboard installation for carpet baseboard trim installation is one thing that just anyone can do. Professional looking baseboard installation can be achieved with a compound miter saw that can cut 45 degree corner angles at the molding ends. 1st someday you will be replacing the carpet if you have the baseboards installed on top of the carpet you will have to remove them to pull up the old carpet.

But baseboard installation for carpet is a bit different than the norm. In addition the tack strip will be under the baseboards. This is because when installing the baseboards after carpet installation they tend to wedge the carpet in between the tack strips and baseboards like a vice. Some carpenters place the trim down to the subfloor or to the wood flooring.

Install the carpet install the carpet all the way against the wall. If you plan to install baseboard moulding before adding carpet it needs to be installed 1 inch above floor level to allow room for both pad and carpet. For things like tile or hardwood you would want to give a to inch clearance for the installers to be able to put the flooring in and be able to slide the edges beneath the baseboards. However consult with your installer to be.

If adding baseboards after carpet is laid it should be installed at the same height as without carpet. Baseboards are often installed before flooring since they must be finished in place with either stain or paint and this is much easier without worrying about staining the hardwood tile or carpet. When installing baseboards before carpet ask the installer how large of a gap to leave between the floor and the trim e g. A really thick shag carpet can make it difficult to judge how high to place the trim.

This is not a good idea and will in most cases make it tougher on the carpet layers. Or you may be replacing the baseboards but leaving the carpet. For most installers this is not a problem and can be done easily. You don t need to.

Baseboard molding is fitted to the bottom of a wall for decoration and to hide unsightly blemishes and carpet fray. If you re in one of these situations follow these instructions to install the trim after the carpet.