floating floor trim - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

72chevy4x4 · 01-31-2007, 09:47 PM

I'm putting down some Pergo tomorrow and new baseboard w/ moulding. Should 1/4 round be used (versus shoe) b/c of the expandability of the floating floor? How far should it be kept off the wall (reusing material from other room in house)?
thanks

**Teetorbilt** · 01-31-2007, 10:46 PM

Without knowing the dimensions of the floor and unless it's really huge the standard spacers will work.

Take the old base off first, set your space from the wall and replace the base. Shoe or quarter round is reserved for antique base or hacks. If stuck with the existing base there are much more attractive mouldings than the former.

72chevy4x4 · 02-01-2007, 05:53 AM

I'm putting in a foyer where existing carpet isso the transition from carpet to wood is easily seen-I'm afraid the baseboard would have to be ripped in order for the wood flooring to fit. This is a thin floor-but w/ a hardwood the difference would be greater. Any suggestions in this case? thanks.

PrecisionFloors · 02-01-2007, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teetorbilt

... Shoe or quarter round is reserved for antique base or hacks. If stuck with the existing base there are much more attractive mouldings than the former.

With all do respect Teetor, it depends on what part of the country you are in. I started out installing down there...in your neck of the woods to be exact. Yes, you guys don't use shoe molding very often (mainly because the builders are too damn cheap, hell vinyl gets caulked in) Have you ever seen a vinyl job two years down the road after it has been caulked in with cheap caulking? That just screams hack if you ask me.
Not to mention there are many cases where the slab or subfloor are flat enough for flooring but will still leave gaps due to the baseboard not flexing enough to conform. What to you do in those situations? Up here everything gets shoe or 1/4rd....you would be considered the hack. Just because you don't like something aesthetically, it shouldn't reflect on the installers ability....just your taste.

tom m · 02-01-2007, 12:29 PM

Like TEETOR said I would totally remove the baseboard. There is usually space at the foot of drywall and plate so install new floor flush with rock and you will have 1/2" of float. More than enough room plus the an additional 11/16" base. I have only done about 10-12 of these myself and we did not use quarter or shoe. Yes there was some small dips in low spots under the base but I was to concerned about expansion to put a shoe or quarter. My own personal space I unstalled about 400sf in and out of rooms and hallways and after 3 years I have never noticed any movement. If your concerned about lowering the base to a thinner floor and revealing a paint line go wider base or if must use a quarter round silicone and tack with brad or pinner so floor can shift naturally.

72chevy4x4 · 02-01-2007, 03:14 PM

I did pull the existing base and installing new-a 'good' reason is old base after years of painting has a paint line at teh bottom (carpeted room). The tough part is cutting the bond between the wallboard and old base-I've been using a utility knive at a 45 degree angle and its doing ok.

thanks for the advice guys.

PrecisionFloors · 02-01-2007, 04:08 PM

Nail the shoe into the base and you don't have to worry about it trapping the floor. Tom, whether you noticed it or not, if its a floating floor, it moves.

turner flooring · 02-04-2007, 04:42 PM

Yes, and space the walls around 1/4 " gap for expansion.http://turnerflooring2.com/