Hey there,
In a room w/ a cement subfloor that is going to have carpet (and pad) over it, what is the preferred method when installing base? Wait until the carpet is in? Or, can you just put the base a little higher so the carpet can be shoved underneath? If so, what is the “standard” little higher number?
Many thanks!
Ed
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Replies
Personally, I prefer to put the base in after the flooring is down. Carpet layers can poke the carpet under the base if there's enough gap (the gap size depends on the type of carpet being laid), but it's almost guaranteed that they'll "ding" the baseboards during the installation.
I've always considered 1/2" to be standard.
If the base goes in first it can be finished/painted and touched up without worry of the carpet being damaged.
Kind of depends on the carpet and pad.
I prefer to install base before carpet. I usually keep it up about 3/8" If it's standard base, I use pieces of the base for gauge blocks.
Either way, but its a good idea to check the thickness of carpet AND underpad. The allowance for carpet can veriy, depending on material. Ask your installer what he needs, 1/2" 3/8" 5/8", whatever.
Are you sure it isn't concrete? various kinds of cement are used to stick things together, like rubber cement, plastic cement...
Ask the carpet layer for his preference. Most I have worked with like the baseboard held up 3/8" to 1/2" above the subfloor regardless if wood or concrete
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Concrete; I mistyped...If it were rubber cement, there would be too much bounce in the floor silly...=)Ed
A little silly makes the day go down.;)
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As a rule I normally use the thick end of a shim shingle to space base for carpet installation. Keep in mind that it is only the carpet that will be tucked under the base and not the pad. The pad will be a couple of inches back on the other side of the tack strip.
I like to do the base before the carpet. The installers might ding it a little, but a little touch-up paint should take or that. If the baseboard is stained, I would install it after the carpet.
3/8" should be plenty, even for a thick carpet. The whole carpet doesn't need to fit underneath it. Pretty much just a little bit of the backing.
If the concrete floor is not dead flat (they're usually not), then try to get an average 3/8" without dropping below 1/4".