Is it a bad idea to have both quarter round and baseboards?

Question

I am putting down laminate in my house and I don't feel like pulling off the baseboards. Is it completely rediculous to just keep the baseboards intact and then use quarter round to cover the gap between the baseboards and the laminate flooring? If I can get away with this, should the quarter round be the same color as the baseboards (white) or the same color as the flooring (maple). Thanks!

Answer 1

Of course, there's nothing that says you can't do it that way, but the job will look neater if you pull up and replace the baseboards. If you do decide to go the 1/4 round method, make the 1/4 round the same color as the baseboard.

Your baseboards shouldn't be that hard to remove. Slide a crowbar or similar tool behind them and wedge them off and save.

Answer 2

Unless you are a skilled trim carpenter and just like to do extra work then go ahead and remove the baseboard. I personally think the practical thing to do is leave the baseboard in place and use the quarter round or shoe mold to cover the gap between the flooring and the baseboard. Just be sure to nail it into the baseboard and not the flooring because the flooring needs to float. As to which color to paint it. that is a personal preference. I have always painted it to match the baseboard. If you can't get quarter round that is an exact match for the flooring then trying to stain it to match can be a problem while painting to match the baseboard is easy.

Answer 3

You have to consider the amount of height that the laminate will take up. Will the baseboards look to short with the laminate and the quarter round on? I don't think that it will look quite right, unless you have taller that normal baseboards.
I also think that using quarter round in front of baseboards sometimes looks redundant-like it really serves no purpose.
It is really a personal taste issue.
Put a piece of the laminate against the baseboard and put a piece of the QR on top. The on a smaller part of a wall, take the BB off and put the laminate there and see how it would look under the BB without the QR.
Personally, I would remove the BB's and only use the QR if I had to (like if the BB isn't level enough due to an uneven floor).
This will also make the floor look more like it was meant to be there. The floor will look more "finished". A lot of contractors will put the floor on with the BB's still up. But some will go the extra mile and remove them to make the floor look better.
If you do use the QR, paint it white.

Answer 4

Contractor here, too. I agree completely with the answer that frankfuss gave you. Please do not install a floating floor. You will have more trouble with it than you can ever imagine.
To install permanent flooring you will have to prep your floor to the manufacturers recommendations (usually within a 1/4 inch level measured over 30 inches). You will need to leave a 1/4 inch gap at all walls to allow for expansion. This will keep your floor from buckling in the future. If you remove you baseboards and reinstall them after the flooring installation, then your baseboards will easily cover the gap. However (as frankfuss also said), you will probably have some gaps UNDER the base board where it meets the floor. I would recommend shoe molding rather than 1/4 round because it was designed for that and doesnt encroach on your floor as much. If you have any other questions about this, you can contact me through my profile.

Answer 5

If your baseboard is flat for 1" when reaching the floor, you can add a 1/4 round and the same color then the baseboard not the floor.

Answer 6

Cheap Quarter Round

Answer 7

I just installed laminate in my house. We used quarter round that we pre-painted to match the baseboards (eggshell white), but we are still going to have to repaint both to get a good match and cover up the nails.

I have been living with the floors for a couple months. I am already having remorse about going with the laminate. I got it because I have 2 young boys and a dog. I got them because they were supposed to be indestructable. Problem is that these floors are not that scratch resistant and get damaged more easily that I was led to believe. I also have a problem with them ALWAYS having spots on them and it makes them look dirty... I damp mop and the spots don't lift. It is frustrating. I wish I had gone with tile that really is indestructable and I wouldn't be fretting so much about small spills ruining the floors and they would look clean.

Good luck. ~Steph

Answer 8

1/4 round is standard procedure when installing laminate in a home that has existing baseboards. It is up to you what color.
If it was me I would make it white because it is basically an extension or part of the baseboard. Whatever color you choose paint it before you install it. It will save a lot of masking etc. Then just fill the nail holes and touch them up.

Answer 9

For a better look always take the baseboard off. If you have a compression and nail gun plus mitre saw it will take you no time at all and the results will be much better. One more thing you should base your decision on. What type of corners do you have bull nose or square. If you have square corners and no compressor and nail gun go ahead with the quarter round. But, if you have bull nose corners I would not do quarter round it will look like it was done by an armature at the very best. Good Luck and Have Fun!

Answer 10

That is the easiest method to use and allows ample room for any swelling of the flooring. The quarter round is usually the same colour as the baseboards and less labour intensive if you paint it before installation. Just add quick touch-ups where the nail holes are afterwards.