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Baseboard where floor height varies??

| Posted in General Discussion on August 21, 2001 02:23am

*
Hi all!

I recently installed a hardwood floor on the main level of my house – everywhere but the kitchen. I’m now going to put in new baseboards. The kitchen sits about 3/8″ below the new hardwood flooring. Any tips on the proper way to deal with the drop in floor height when installing the baseboards?

Thoughts that come to mind are…
1. Build up the baseboard throughout the kitchen.
2. Drop the baseboard height where there is a natural break – like a doorway.
3. If the wife would let me ;-), just leave the baseboard out of the kitchen for another year or so until I’m ready to replace the kitchen floor – and then build up the kitchen floor.

Many thanks from this diy-er for your advice.
Steve

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Replies

  1. David_Mason | Aug 19, 2001 10:40pm | #1

    *
    I would just drop it down at the door, but then again I like to do things the easy way

    Dave

    1. Geoff_B | Aug 19, 2001 11:32pm | #2

      *set it the same height as rest of rooms and cover gap with shoe. Especially if you plan to replace floor latter.

      1. Gunner_1750 | Aug 20, 2001 12:54am | #3

        *Around my area it's standard to use quarter round between base and finished floors. So that should cover up any gaps.

        1. Scooter_ | Aug 20, 2001 01:19am | #4

          *Install a flat baseboard. Use a shoe molding where the area dips. It can cheat up to 3/8".

          1. Steve_Parham | Aug 20, 2001 07:12pm | #5

            *> set it the same height as rest of rooms and cover gap with shoeI had not planned on using a shoe molding - but that would definitelymake things easier for me.Thanks for the suggestion!Steve

          2. Jon_Byrd | Aug 21, 2001 02:23pm | #6

            *One idea for a temp solution would be to use a moulding strip along your kitchen wall matched to the height of the baseboards in the other room. Then paint the wall below it the same color as the baseboards and you will have a faux baseboard. You might still need the shoe moulding, but it will be much easier to install and uninstall and you won't have to worry about breaking your baseboards when you take them out. Of course if you had baseboards previously in the kitchen, you might have a lot of nail holes, so it may not be worth it.Jon

  2. Steve_Parham | Aug 21, 2001 02:23pm | #7

    *
    Hi all!

    I recently installed a hardwood floor on the main level of my house - everywhere but the kitchen. I'm now going to put in new baseboards. The kitchen sits about 3/8" below the new hardwood flooring. Any tips on the proper way to deal with the drop in floor height when installing the baseboards?

    Thoughts that come to mind are...
    1. Build up the baseboard throughout the kitchen.
    2. Drop the baseboard height where there is a natural break - like a doorway.
    3. If the wife would let me ;-), just leave the baseboard out of the kitchen for another year or so until I'm ready to replace the kitchen floor - and then build up the kitchen floor.

    Many thanks from this diy-er for your advice.
    Steve

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