Install hardwood or baseboard first?

3/2/2016 at 8:07:15 PM

Hardwood floor always goes in first!

3/2/2016 at 8:09:54 PM

Hi Karim,

Flooring first then baseboards and dap. Much better way to finish.

Donovan

3/2/2016 at 8:11:37 PM

Don't hire whoever told you baseboard goes first. They do not know what they are doing. The hardwood goes in first and the baseboard goes in after. The baseboard will hide the small gap at the wall required for expansion/contraction. You can also pre paint the baseboard so it only requires touch-ups once installed. Less chance of getting paint all over your new floor.

Good Luck!

3/2/2016 at 8:12:51 PM

Hi there,

If you like OR you have to take off the baseboard, should be install the hardwood OR any kind of floor first before the baseboard OR you can take off the show mould only and install the hardwood first. This is the best way.

Thx

3/2/2016 at 8:13:57 PM

Good evening Kamin,

The only way I would do this project is to install the flooring first, and then baseboard. The trim is the finishing touch and should be last.

Good luck with your project.

Justin

Cubit Housing and Design

3/2/2016 at 8:15:33 PM

Hi Karim,

To be honest, both methods are perfectly acceptable however you are better off to install the baseboard afterward.

In most cases you will be installing a shoe molding or quarter round molding at the base of the baseboard trim. Most quarter round is 3/4" thick which will give you plenty of room to cover any gaps that may be present between the ends or edges of pieces of hardwood and the baseboard trim. Shoe molding (the more decorative and better looking option) is much thinner making the gap tolerance much less. If you are not installing either and just going for the clean base look then you have no option other than to install the base after the hardwood as you will need to scribe the baseboard to match even the slightest contours of the flooring to get a perfect gap free finish.

Next is finishes. Nothing will break a homeowner (or Contractor's) heart more than seeing tiny drips of semigloss white paint on a beautiful new hardwood floor.

On projects that we build, we prime and first coat the trim (either sprayed or brushed depending on the Client's choice of finish) prior to installation.

In any case, if you are hiring professional trim and hardwood installers and a professional painter you will be satisfied with the end results.

Our trim carpenters also hang all the doors and install panelling, built ins, and wainscotting etc. so we do sometimes install the base first.

Again, it all depends on what the trim details are and the competency of your crews.

Best of luck,

Jason Irving

Cedarfalls Building Consultants Limited

3/2/2016 at 8:17:47 PM

Hi,

We prefer to install hardwood first and baseboards thereafter. This will give you the best finish and not mark your baseboards.

Thank you.

The Interior Design Group.

3/2/2016 at 8:21:32 PM

Hi there,

That's a funny one.

Flooring goes on first then baseboards is installed .When installing hardwood you want to leave 1/4 to 3/8 gap from wall to flooring for expansion and movement if hardwood or engineered is installed too tight squeaking will occur then the baseboard goes on to hide the gap between flooring & wall.

The only time where baseboard can remain on or can be installed first is when you use carpet or replace existing carpet and replace with new one. The carpet is tucked under baseboards.

Hope that helps.

Please don't hire whoever told you to install baseboard first then hardwood. He might just install roofing shingles in your basement.

Thanks

3/2/2016 at 8:23:05 PM

Flooring then baseboards. Always. Paint the first coat on baseboards before you install as well.

3/2/2016 at 8:24:56 PM

Always the floor first.

3/2/2016 at 8:38:32 PM

Oh my... It's not even an option. Most definitely wood floor first and baseboard after. The only time baseboard goes in first is if there is carpet being installed.

3/2/2016 at 8:48:42 PM

Thanks for all the replies. I thought the same thing. Overwhelming agreement that baseboards go on first.

3/2/2016 at 9:08:02 PM

I would definitely work on getting the hardwood floor in .... At that point the baseboard should fit snug to it, looking great !!!

3/2/2016 at 10:01:59 PM

Hi Karim,

If you're installing new baseboard we usually install the hardwood first. We usually install a 1/2" thick baseboard or greater instead of adding a quarter round or door stop for a cleaner look. Make sure the hardwood is climatized in your house, not in their warehouse. So the boxes will have to be opened for this to happen. Your installer should also check the Relative Humidity of the wood to see of its in the correct percentile for install. You should also have a RH monitor on your thermostat, if not it may be a good idea to get one as climate change can warp wood. Good luck in your contractor selection.

3/3/2016 at 1:38:52 AM

Put your floor first, 100%!

3/3/2016 at 9:28:18 AM

Flooring first then the baseboards!

3/3/2016 at 10:28:09 AM

Hi Karim,

Flooring first then your baseboards. That will give you a much more professional finish.

Sumair Peerani