When you are working on a house remodeling, one thing you may not sure what would be better to do — install the baseboard before the carpet layer and have the installer tuck the carpet under the baseboard trim or do the baseboard first.
The order in which you install them may make a difference in how efficient the process is and save you future headaches.
Base Board First!
It’s definitely an easy thing for installers if carpet first. However, that is not the best for you. You will be replacing the old carpet someday. Now you already have the baseboard installed on the top of the carpet, you will have to remove them to pull up the old carpet.
What we should do to install carpet layers or pads easier if baseboard first?
Use a piece of strip as a spacer under your baseboard which will give it a gap between the floor and trim (for example 1/2” or 3/8” ) . It is ok for the carpet installer that tucks the carpet. They will need to be careful not to damage the baseboard.
Materials of Base Molding
There are various materials available in the market for baseboard trim. Now let’s take a look at the most popular baseboard materials.
- Real Wood Baseboard: With the natural wood grain on the surface and each is unique, but the price is expensive
- MDF Baseboard: A cheap cost baseboard material, but MDF is weaker and won’t last long.
- High-Density Polyurethane Baseboard: It’s a high-quality baseboard. High-quality polyurethane baseboard is strong, waterproof, insect resistant, and durable. Most Polyurethane foam baseboards are primed in the factory and ready for any paint to match your walls.
- Plastic Baseboard: The most common plastic baseboard is HDPS baseboard or calls polystyrene baseboard. The most advantage of HDPS baseboard is that they have large wood grain or color selection at a low cost.It also comes in white color, glossy white or matte white. Glossy white is not able to paint on the surface again. If you want to use repaint the baseboard, please note to chose the matte finish white color
