Install Baseboard Before Or After Flooring

Baseboard is installed before carpet and the edges of the carpet butt to the base.

Install baseboard before or after flooring.

Do baseboards have to be removed to install carpet. If you took up carpet and installed laminate or hardwood flooring you may not have noticed this before as the carpet hid the gaps. Baseboards should be installed after laminate. The finished product might look better.

Short baseboards give a better finished look aesthetically without shoe molding or quarter round. However with tall profile baseboards a shoe molding may enhance the decor. Generally the installation of carpet or baseboard is easier for whoever installs first. Some professionals may have a strong preference but ultimately baseboards can be installed before or after carpet.

The problem this causes is when you go to install the baseboard on the new wood flooring the baseboard may not sit flat on the floor. To install hardwood it s. Generally it s a good idea to remove baseboards before installing your flooring here s why. Install your flooring then place paper or house wrap on the floor running up the wall and stapling in place.

It leaves a gap between the baseboard and the new flooring which is unsightly. For hardwood the flooring is installed first and the base sits atop the flooring. Then install the baseboards over the paper. After everything is painted rip out the paper.