Installing Base Molding Before Carpet

Yeah it s easier for the installer to put it down with the base boards off.

Installing base molding before carpet.

If adding baseboards after carpet is laid it should be installed at the same height as without carpet. Baseboards are often installed before flooring since they must be finished in place with either stain or paint and this is much easier without worrying about staining the hardwood tile or carpet. However that s not best for you. Drill 1 16 inch holes every 16 inches through the baseboard angled downward toward the wall plate.

Hammer tack nails through these holes into the wall plate. For most installers this is not a problem and can be done easily. If you are not intending to install quarter round or base shoe the baseboard should be. Once the carpet and the baseboards are in place you can tuck the edges.

Fit the molding to the wall flush against the carpet. 1st someday you will be replacing the carpet if you have the baseboards installed on top of the carpet you will have to remove them to pull up the old carpet. If the molding is slightly long trim it at angled 1 16 inch increments from the end to fit the wall. If you plan to install baseboard moulding before adding carpet it needs to be installed 1 inch above floor level to allow room for both pad and carpet.

When you re installing baseboards over vinyl wood or plastic laminate floors the best way to handle gaps between the drywall and the flooring is to shim the gap with narrow blocks of 1 2 in wood. When installing baseboards before carpet ask the installer how large of a gap to leave between the floor and the trim e g. This is because when installing the baseboards after carpet installation they tend to wedge the carpet in between the tack strips and baseboards like a vice. The carpet installer can run the tack strip up to the trim then roll excess carpet under the trim.

This means that if the installation company needs to re stretch the carpet at a later date they may need to loosen some of the baseboards in order to pull the carpet up.