I’m trimming out the remodeled first floor of my house. The kitchen floor (tile) is about 3/8″ higher than the rest of the 1st floor (hardwood). There’s a 6′ opening from a central traffic area to the kitchen, not a CO, but cornerbead and plaster, with about a 5″ oak threshold.
Should I just rip 3/8″ off the 5 1/4″ speedbase for the kitchen so that I can make the corners miter properly or is there another trick to this?
Another question regarding base: The oak flooring was installed when the house was built and we’re just going to refinish it. The old base was 3″ colonial set tight to the sub floor with the oak butted up to it. I don’t like this look so I’m setting the new base on top of the oak (and the tile) and am going to use a shoe molding. Does one normally run a shoe in the tiled areas as well? Or is shoe mainly only used “as needed?”
Hey… whaddya want from a framer?!?!
Replies
I would rip the base unless you can find a natural place to make the transition.
The shoe molding can be omitted over the tile if the tile installed grouts tight to the base. I would prefer to see shoe on the tile as well, sometimes the grout/base combo looks a little funny (I should know, I have that in my kitchen).
Jon Blakemore
RappahannockINC.com Fredericksburg, VA
Should I just rip 3/8" off the 5 1/4" speedbase for the kitchen so that I can make the corners miter properly or is there another trick to this?
Yes, cut the bottom off to match the height of the base coming from the other direction. You don't have to cut the base down throughout the kitchen, just until it deadends at a cabinet or casing.
As for your question about the base and shoe in the tiled area, I normally don't shoe the tile area but theres no rule that says you cant. If you like the look of it go ahead and do it. Usually the shoe is to hide the gap from the floor/base intersection. You wont have that problem in the tiled area but if you and the misses like it then.....
Doug
#### damn hell doug, meant this for brian. Sorry.
Brian, I've ripped the base b/4 but have a couple times dropped the base down at the threshold. Turn the corner and mitre down to the next level. Give it a try, it looked good in those couple cases. Mock it up with a couple scraps. You don't like it, burn it on a cold nite.
Hey, I've got one seat for april 26th in cleve. 9 rows up, end of tribe dugout. Feel like driving?
A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
Edited 4/15/2006 9:38 pm ET by calvin
Careful what you throw out there.... I'm the type who might just take you up on something like that!
Cal, I'd like nothing more than to catch a ball game with you sometime, but I can't make it happen in the next 11 days. ;( Too busy and too poor. Got a triple decker tax bill to pay and the bill just came to re-up my W/C insurance. B-R-O-K-E. But the cable bill is paid up, the Sox are on most nights now, and I've got steady work for the next couple months, so I ain't complaining.
Thanks for the base idea too!View Image
Well alright brother, just keeping you in mind. Bummer, will just have to go with the locals. Had dinner with danT and his wife cathy tonight. Man, that boy is large. He made quick work with an order and a half.
And do tell your wife I send my regards. Would like to meet her someday.A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
Looking forward to a good series Calvin. Can't wait to see the Tribe... one of my favorites. Wish I was gonna be there with you on the 26th.... have a cold one for me, would ya?View Image
Brian, I'm sure hoping for a good series. As of late, we are in a doldrum pitching wise. Last April we had pitching, not a lick of hitting. This year with a modified staff we can't seem to hold a lead. From the starters on down to the pen.
You can count on me imbibing according to the scoreboard. Hope I can walk out of the joint.A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
have a couple times dropped the base down at the threshold. Turn the corner and mitre down to the next level.
I'm visualizing the base making a 90° turn VERTICAL (up or down as needed) and then a 90° turn HORIZONTAL so that it resumes at the proper height.
See the attached picture. Do I got it?
Even though it's a pretty tricky cut, I could have used that technique, but I couldn't find baseboard of the same thickness as the existing that I needed to match. I used an outside corner block instead. It doesn't look quite as neat as I would have liked, but it worked.
-Don
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Edited 4/24/2006 3:15 pm ET by DonCanDo
Here's another way.
The base had to fit under the first tread. The slope of the piece that turns down matches the slope of the staircase. The second piece of base had to die into the floor. The shoe was a mystery and that was all I could come up with. (9" base with shoe, 3pcs.).
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"Let's get crack-a-lackin" --- Adam Carolla
Sort of.
The drop wasn't quite as drastic. And there was a sloped wood transition (wide) at the flooring change. It would be more a change like .............post 72481.13. The base followed the transition.A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
Whenever I have situations like that I rip the base in the rooms where the floor is higher. Maintain a consistent level at the top, regardless of floor height. Base shoe is not normally used in rooms with carpet, but it goes OK over tile, hardwood, vinyl.
Personally I don't like shoe at all, because of the goofy ways you have to terminate it... either a 45 degree bevel back, a self-return... I never like the way it looks at door casings. Shoe is convenient if you have whoops and dips in the floor and you don't want to scribe the base.
They make these little tiny nail guns that you can use for trim. They shoot these little tiny nails, and hardly ever run out of nails. They need no oil. They are really light to carry around, and they don't make a loud slamming noise. They fit in small places. Yer gonna love it!
:) Sweet. You make it sound like so much fun Dave. Now those little nail guns.... do I hit them with my big hammer or my little 32 oz Vaughn? And how do I keep my worm drive from sucking up all the little self returns from the shoe?View Image
I'd rip the 3/8" off the bottom of the base in the kitchen. I'd also make the cut at a 45 degree bevel. So basically, f it see attachment.
When you cut the bottom like that it is easy to scribe with a small block plane, and you eliminate the need for shoe moulding.
I just saw the date on this, so if I'm too late, nevermind.
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Doncha wish your girlfriend was hot like me?
Edited 4/24/2006 1:12 pm ET by dustinf
Edited 4/24/2006 1:13 pm ET by dustinf
Nope, not too late. I cased the windows and doors and ran all the two piece crown first. Most of the base isn't installed yet. It's my least favorite, so I guess I've left it for last. Gotta get crack-a-lackin though. Want to get outside and get after the landscaping soon. I'm starting to feel poor, f'in house is sucking all the 'fat' out of my life.
The bevel is a great idea too, thanks.View Image