Baseboards are important functionally and aesthetically. They make an individual room look much better and can help your home appear statelier. Existing homes often have moulding around the base of each wall, but not all new homes do.
No it is not necessary. You can buy quarter round or a shoe molding to cover the gap.
Its purpose is to cover the joint between the wall surface and the floor. It covers the uneven edge of flooring next to the wall; protects the wall from kicks, abrasion, and furniture; and can serve as a decorative molding.
Most floors, including hardwood, laminate, and vinyl, need room to expand and contract with temperature and humidity changes. Without an expansion gap, flooring can buckle or warp. Baseboards neatly cover this gap, allowing your flooring to breathe while maintaining a finished look.
Can trim carpentry improve resale value? Strictly speaking, any design sophistication improves any home's resale value, though estimating the exact price increase is impossible. Trim makes an average house look stylish and elegant. It's suitable for homes of all styles, from country to contemporary.
Although baseboards aren't a necessity, they help give most homes a finished look and are highly functional.
Modern and minimal flat baseboards.
Flat baseboards play against traditional expectations of a curving, rounded baseboard and instead feature a completely flat surface. Elevate Your Living Experience with Unparalleled Service.
Wall wear and tear: Without baseboards, the bottom of your walls will quickly become damaged, including crumbling drywall. Scuff marks, kicks, dents, cracks, and more can form within days in high-traffic areas, leaving your walls in need of ongoing repairs and, in worst-case scenarios, replacement.
They protect the walls from moving furniture, bumps, and scrapes. In the bathroom, they protect from water damage and high levels of humidity, all while adding a touch of elegance. They've been in use for centuries, and the reason they're still being used today is pretty obvious.
Baseboard is the wood (or other material) board that runs between the floor and the wall. It usually is between 3''-8'' and comes in a variety of materials and profiles. Trim is a broad term that encompasses baseboard and other trim throughout the home.
Adding or replacing baseboards is a simple enough DIY task, so long as you have a miter saw at your disposal. While the installation process for baseboards isn't difficult, the most challenging part is measuring and cutting the trim at the correct angles.
Baseboard moulding is a type of moulding that is installed at the bottom of walls, where they meet the floor. Baseboard moulding can be used to create a finished look to a room and also to visually enlarge the space. By using a taller baseboard moulding, you can give the impression of higher ceilings and more space.
Are Baseboards Mandatory? Technically, no—your walls and floors won't crumble without baseboards. However, the absence of baseboards may leave your room looking unfinished and more prone to wear. Some modern designs opt for a baseboard-free look, relying on precise construction techniques.
Electric furnaces and baseboard heaters are more efficient than radiators and gas heating, but both are much less efficient than heat pumps. The placement of baseboard heaters — near windows and exterior walls — makes them even more inefficient.
Minimalistic baseboards with straight, simple lines will be a hallmark of modern interiors this year. Painted in the same color as the walls or a shade slightly lighter or darker, they create a seamless transition between walls and floors. Modern crown molding will feature clean, geometric profiles.
The Eased One Edge baseboard has been a go to for a modern look. There are basically no grooves or designs on this style besides the mandatory top and bottom of the baseboard. This baseboard style is very modern and simple, a style you can't go wrong with.
A baseboard height that's approximately 7% of the wall height provides for a solid and definable base without being too big. The overall proportion of baseboard to wall height will be comfortable and pleasing. So in a room with a 9 foot high ceiling, a baseboard that's about 8 inches tall works.
Opting to not have any baseboards will keep your design simple and modern. The only downside is a loss of protection for your walls from brooms and vacuums. That said if you don't expect too much horseplay around your house, being able to have a bookshelf flush against your wall is a real upside.
Quarter-round trim is highly versatile and can be used in a variety of rooms, whether you're installing it in a kitchen, hallway, or living room. It can also be used independently of the baseboard, making it a flexible option in the baseboard vs shoe molding vs quarter-round comparison.
There is nothing in the code that requires a wall base or baseboards. In fact, there is no requirement for interior wallboard. If loose fill insulation or unfaced fiberglass insulation is used in the stud cavity, then wallboard is handy to seal up the wall and wall base is an easy way to seal the base.
Depending on the materials you choose, you could pay as little as $0.80 to $1.20 per linear foot. A home that needs 144 linear feet of baseboard translates to a materials cost of $115 to $175. Of course, if you choose premium materials or intricate designs, you'll pay more.
If your current design is traditional, farmhouse, industrial, or craftsman – go for simple, flat, and angular baseboards. If your home's design is more bohemian, colonial, or shabby chic – opt for ornate curves. For new traditional, use curves and bevels to make an impact.
If you plan to install baseboard moulding before adding carpet, it needs to be installed 1 inch above floor level to allow room for both pad and carpet. If adding baseboards after carpet is laid, it should be installed at the same height as without carpet.