Do I have to use quarter round when installing laminate flooring?
Question:We plan to take the baseboards off when we put the flooring down. We hoped to install the baseboard to hide the gap, and were led to believe that this would work by the salesman and did not order quarter round. However, now I'm thinking that the gap we have to leave may be bigger than the thickness of the baseboards.
Is that what determines it - if I leave a gap bigger than the baseboard I'm in trouble, but if it is smaller we'll be fine?
Thanks!
Answers:
If it doesn't cover, don't put quarter round down will not look good. Just use thicker baseboard...Next time just make sure the baseboard will cover the gap before you lay the whole floor...
you got it. 1/4" gap at side walls. base should hide it fine. they say not to set cabinets on it but i have. the other question is if you have painted baseboards.. do you paint the 1/4 round or buy same as floor?
all 1/4 round does is fill the gap, no gap, no 1/4 round needed
Don't sweat it I have installed many different types, styles, and manufacturers of laminate wood flooring. You will be just fine leaving a 3/8" gap away from the wall without any problems providing you install the proper underlayment for your area. At 3/8" any standard baseboard will easily cover a gap of this size. Hope this helps.
You'll be fine, no need for 1/4 round.
Everyone else is correct, the onlu thing I can add is if the rest of your rooms have 1/4 round...add it to this room as well for continuity. If not...don't.
yes . many people choose to leave the baseboard alone because it is sometimes difficult to remove and reuse and install 1/4 round or shoe molding to cover the cracks it just makes more sense to do so but if you've already removed it and the crack is just an 1/8" to big you can use caulk or buy a thicker base board . hint: 1x4 with cove base on top of it looks great with laminate flooring
That about nails it. Quarterround is used to give a nicer finished look. I, personally, am so used to seeing it that I think it looks unfinished without it, even if the flooring job is good.
You can always cut the bottom off the skirting board, or remove the skirting boards and fit them on top of the laminate.
The existing baseboards I assume are the kind that are flat, and you had carpeting there. I just laminated my whole upstairs to the house.
Ideally, you would remove the existing flooring (unless it's vinyl or hardwood). Once that is done, take your quater round off - not the "flat" baseboard that is there. If the "flat" baseboard is not already there, you can buy some that would act as both "flat" baseboard and quater round to cover the gap.
Install the new laminate flooring, and take the opportunity to clean and screw in the floor now to fix any squeaks.
Get an undercutting tool to undercut the door jambs for a more professional look. Nobody told me this and I did not undercut the door jambs. It looks ok but a little unusual!
YOU MUST leave a 1/4" gap between the laminate and the wall (or "flat" floor trim). It will expand and contract.. believe me!
Then, install the quarter round. It will look very good after is has been painted. Get caulking in case you need to touch up any cuts... using painter's tape and your finger, good caulking and paint will cover up any mistake.
When installing the quarter round, drill a small hole. If you don't, your nails may crack the quarter round. Also, I believe 2.5" nail should do it, to attach the quarter round to the current "flat" trim.
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