replacing carpet with hardwood, use white shoe molding to match the baseboard or go with matching wood molding

Question

Hi,
I am replacing carpet in my living room with hardwood. We have white baseboard which compliments the room paint. In kitchen we have laminate and it has white shoe molding.

Installer is suggesting to use (expensive) wood shoe molding - basically to match the floor, than the baseboard.

I like how the kitchen looks, so thinking I can save some money and get good looks by using white shoe molding (painted white).
What do you say?

Thanks for all the answers!!!. I'll go with white shoe molding - that's what every one suggested. I am really having difficulty which one to choose as best answer :-)
Thanks again.

Answer 1

I would use cove molding painted white. That's what I did after I installed my new wood floor. Looks good with the white baseboard and my painted walls.

Answer 2

Don't let the installer rip you off. All he wants is to make more money off of you. Go with the white shoe moulding. I don't remember doing or seeing someone using a different shoe moulding -other than white- , better yet, if you can, remove the baseboard and install the floor then put the baseboard back, and that way you don't even need to put shoe moulding, saving yourself some money. That might be some work but it's still worth it I think. If you decide to remove the baseboard, use a blade to cut the caulking between the upper tip of the baseboard and the wall, so paint won't come off with the baseboard.

Answer 3

If YOU like it, that's all that counts:) Plus you know the installer is going to try and talk you into whatever is more expensive. If your baseboard is already white, I think the shoe should also be white and continue down to the floor. It seems like it would look a little funny with just that small strip being stained?? Save the money and go with the white:)
Good Luck!!

Answer 4

I would totally go with the white shoe moulding. Not only is it cheaper, but if the moulding gets damaged (say by over zealious vacuuming or an unexpected indoor hockey game), it is much easier to sand and touch up the white painted shoe moulding, than to try and match the stain on the wood.
Plus, the whole wood vs. painted look is really a personal choice that isn't really going to affect anything else. It's not like your going to try to sell you home one day and someone's going to say "oh, we would buy it, but your shoe moulding is painted and not stained!"
As long as the moulding is well installed, it will still look neat and professional, regardless of what type you get.

Answer 5

We have white wood floor moldings but where the hardwoods are is also a smaller rounded wood molding to match the hardwoods. It has a nice finished look.

Answer 6

I was told the same thing when I pulled up carpet and re-finished my hardwood floors. Whatever. My wife and I like the look of white quarter-round with our white baseboards set against our red oak floor.

Do what you want to do. It is YOUR house.

Answer 7

The only time the shoe does not match the base is when it is going around cabinets (kitchen or bath) in that case it matches the cabinets. Otherwise the shoe always matches the base. The shoe adds to the profile of the base hence making it a different color would look awful

Answer 8

Hmmm. Looking around at my house, I have white moulding with wood shoe moulding next to the floor. Even in the kitchen where I have white cabinets and a light vinyl floor, they used the wood shoe mould. I think white shoe might look kinda cheap.

Amortize how many years you think this floor will last against the difference in cost between the two options. I think you will find that the difference in cost in doing it in wood will be worth it.

Answer 9

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Answer 10

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