I’m building a new home as a owner/builder. I am at the point where I would like to install door casing and baseboard.
My question is, can I install baseboard before the carpet, and other floor coverings are installed. I’ve always put on baseboard after the carpet, but it becomes difficult and time consuming trying to protect the carpet while painting.
Do carpet installer’s prefer to have the baseboard in place before they start?
If baseboard goes on first, what height above the floor? Can carpet installers answer this question?
Will baseboard get damaged during carpet installation?
Sorry this turned out to be more than one question.
Thank You,
Bill
Replies
Bill,
I would definetely install baseboard before carpet. Just hold it up about 3/8" to 1/2" (depending on if you have berber, plush, etc.)
Your base may get dinged up a little but, barring gorillas for carpet men, it will be nothing that can't be touched up with paint.
Jon Blakemore
RappahannockINC.com Fredericksburg, VA
You can put the base in first. There was another recent thread that brought up the fact that in different parts of the country, some carpet installers want the base on the sub floor, some held up to tuck under. So I guess check around locally.
For other types of flooring it would depend on if your going to use a shoe molding with the base. If you are then put the base in first, if not, wait for flooring and scribe the base.
Your base will get a few marks from the carpet install but I still prime and first coat before I install whenever possible. Saves alot of time. I'll shoot it on, fill, sand if needed, spot paint the filler, then put on the finish coat. Always comes out nice.... Buic
Only problem I've ever had with installing the base first, is if it's going to have a natural or stained finish instead of being painted. You can't fill the little dings and the backing from the carpet scratches the heck out of the polly finish. Whenever I install a base that has a polly finish, I let the "gorillas" mar the walls, then install the base (which has two coats of polly prior to install, and a finish coat after. It's harder to apply finish after installation, but if you prefinish, you can brush just above the carpet and no one will notice.
And as BUIC said, if you are installing wood or laminated flooring, wait b/c there will be expansion gaps all around the perimeter and your baseboard will cover those up.
Jim W.Coventry Woodworking