Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion The Water Cooler Help!! Installing baseboard in my basement...

Ok, as most of you know I'm remodeling my basement, and I am to the point where I need to install my finished baseboard. Keep in mind this is in the basement and I have a concrete floor currently.

I am getting conflicting information from some friends of mine, so I'm sure you guys can help.

I'm assuming that I install the baseboard/trim before putting carpet/pad down. If so, do I put it all the way to the floor, and then when they come to install the pad/carpet, they just butt it up next to it. OR Do have have the carpet/pad installed first and then put the trim on?

Thanks, Randy

I think if you have a choice, I'd have them do the carpet first. That way, the carpet installers have no chance of marring your new moulding. Plus, I think you DO want a bit of clearance between the baseboard and the floor so that the carpet (if not the carpet strip) can go underneath it. I do not know the "perfect" amount of that clearance, but I'm pretty sure it is >0.

Sure wish I'd spent the extra $ for that laser-guided mitre saw.

I agree with Tom on this one. Get the carpet installed first, then install your baseboard trim. That way you can set the height of the baseboards etc. When I remodelled my house the carpet went down first, then the freshly painted baseboards. You won't have to worry about the installers scuffing the baseboards.
Good luck!

I don't believe I've ever seen baseboards installed over the edge of the carpet. That would look pretty funny, I think. If the carpet installers are careful (and skilled!), then they will be able to install the carpet right up against the baseboard with no visible gap and no marring. This method requires less precise work from the installers, since they won't need to leave an exactly straight cap along the walls into which the baseboard will fit.

I was in my office when we were getting some carpet replaced and the guy doing it was a real pro. He had a special tool that he used to pull/stretch the carpet with his knees. As he got near a wall, he'd srethch it really right close to the tack strip, pound the carpet into the strip, and then precisely cut off the excess so that the remainder could be tucked evenly against the baseboard. There was never any danger of marring the baseboard.

I like the idea of putting the trim down first. That way, you don't have to worry about making a mess of the new carpet when you install the trim. Even if you pre-paint the trim, you'll still need to set and touch up the nail heads. Another big advantage to putting the trim down first is that you can do all your cutting in the room where you are installing, which to me was very convenient when I did it.

The installers recommended 1/4" of clearance. I went with 3/8" just to be on the safe side and it looks fine. I just ripped a few thin pieces of wood to the proper height and used them as spacers to speed the install.

Oh yeah, eventhough I installed the trim only a few days before they installed the carpet (so the paint was pretty fresh), they didn't damage it at all.

trim first, then carpet.ues scrap baseboard as a spacer under the trim and then the carpet installer will lay down the tack strips -pading and then carpeting and tuck it under the baseboard

Okay, Frank sold me. Being able to cut the trim in the same room AND knowing the required clearance trumps potential damage my knucklehead installers. Check with your carpet guys to find out how much space under the base they recommend for your type of carpet.

Peter, I've ALWAYS seen the carpet edge tucked behind the tack strip and under the baseboard, at least when it's being installed in a room designed for carpet (as opposed to being installed over original hardwood the owners didn't want to refinish).

shows you the kind of properties I've been looking at....

thanks guys for all the input, I just got back from puttin my fist piece down. I used an unstained piece of trim for the spacer, it was about 1/4" thick. The first piece attached very nicely. My brother inlaw let me borrow his finish air nailer which makes the job go quickly.

Thanks again, Randy

You know, we're going to be wanting pictures. And I better not see any power tools without beer in the general vicinity.