I”m trying to decide whether to have carpet installed before or after the baseboards go in a newly constructed room. If it were me doing the carpet, which it’s not, I’d definitely put the baseboards in afterwards to cover up my poor job of carpeting 🙂
However, we’re having the carpet professionally installed, and they seem pretty confident that baseboard or no baseboard makes no difference to them.
The con of running it under the baseboard would be that if we replace the carpet, we’d have to rip out the baseboards. Although that’s not a real big deal.
The pro would be that we should definitely get a nice clean look (hopefully would in either case, but it’s easier if run under the baseboard).
Running it up to the baseboard might make the baseboard installation easier (just goes in flat over the floor). But, either way is probably not too hard.
Any thoughts on what’s typical?
Replies
run the base first ...
I usually hold it up by the fat end of a shim.
gives a little room for the final "tuck".
the carpet guys should set their tackless about a "fat fingertip" away from the already installed base ... then they'll stretch it tight and cut the excess.
coupla odd strands and such get that final tuck.
btw ... for a good carpet install insist they use a power stretcher, not just a knee kicker ... unless the room is real ... real small.
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
You don't rip out the baseboards to replace the carpet. The carpet guys don't put the tack strip that tight to the wall.
Bob's next test date: 12/10/07
As Jeff and Jim said, do the base first.
Millions or houses have the base installed prior to the carpet and it works out just fine.
Jon Blakemore
RappahannockINC.com Fredericksburg, VA
Base first , hold it up 3/8-1/2".
base first...
Baseboard first. Locate studs and put marks on floor. 3/8ths to 1/2" off floor. I once used shims but now use the ends of my fingers as spacers. Its quicker and I always have the spacers handy. Nyuk! Nyuk!
Caulk and paint the baseboard now. There may be some touchups after carpet.
"Perfect is the enemy of Good." Morrison
One more for baseboard first, hold it up 3/8". Do it the right way. The carpet may need to be re-strecthed before it's worn out, some after a couple years. No sense having to do two jobs when it's time to replace. You are thinking like a non-pro because of your lack of ability, stop doing that!
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
Thanks for all the feedback. Seems pretty unanimous. So, we'll put the baseboards in first.
Good call, but I only hold the base up 1/4" to 3/8" at the most. Learned the hard way that low-pile carpets don't always fill up a 1/2" space.
Of course if you're planning on installing a shag carpet then go high....
No argument here.On one of my own houses (where everything gets done backwards) I got carpet before base. Looked like hell, believe me. Just couldn't press the base hard enough to get a clean look. Only exception is commercial glue down carpet. That goes in before base.