The advantage of adhesive is that you avoid nail holes. The disadvantage is that it can be messy, slower, and difficult to remove the molding once it dries. Nails or brads from a nailer are the easiest and best solution.
Nails are easier for many reasons, but most importantly if future you or a future owner if you were to sell, ever try to remove glued trim it will be a real pain in the ass.
Do You Put Nail Glue on Your Nail or the Fake Nail? You can put nail glue on either your natural nail or the back of the fake nail—both methods work! However, applying a thin, even layer of glue to your natural nail often provides better coverage and a stronger hold.
The most important thing about shoe molding is that you always nail it into the wall, never the floor.
Trim or finishing nails have to be counterset to look good, and that can be tricky to get right as well. Almost any kind of wood glue or general adhesive caulk is perfect for sealing your new baseboard molding into place.
To Install Quarter Round Use Nails Not Caulk
It is not the right choice because it won't create a strong enough bond like glue will. Use caulk only for what it was designed for: to fill gaps if necessary. Installing quarter round without nails is possible by applying a floor adhesive.
Cost to install quarter round molding
Quarter round molding costs $3 to $7 per linear foot with installation.
Nail on the quarter round.
Use 1.5 in (3.8 cm) finishing nails. Press the molding downward to rest on the floor everywhere, bending it if necessary, and hammer the nails through the pilot holes into the baseboard.
As we've said, liquid nails are formulated for construction. So, naturally, it has stronger bonding properties than wood glue. As long as you follow the application instructions properly especially the drying time, you'll get unbeatable bonding results.
Press-on nails secured to your nailbed with glue will typically last longer than those held in place with adhesive nail stickers. Depending on the nails, you may be able to use both a nail sticker and glue for added wear time.
Apply two thin beads of liquid floor adhesive to the sanded side of the quarter-round molding. Align the molding against the baseboard and press it against the wood. Hold the quarter round in place for about one minute to allow the materials to form a bond.
For trim or molding larger than 2 inches in width, run a 1/4 –inch serpentine bead (S-bead) of constructive adhesive about 1 1/2-inches from both edges of the trim. Push the piece into place and hold for 5- 10 seconds. Step 4. Allow the adhesive to dry or cure for at least 2 hours prior to painting.
Paint it Before
It's a fast and easy process that can dramatically speed up paint time. People who paint trim before installing tend to place the boards on sawhorses over a drop cloth to work. You can easily use a paint roller or spray painter to paint trim before installing it.
General contractor rates are typically on a per-project basis and charge 10% to 20% of your overall project cost. However, in special circumstances, when contractors do charge by hour, you can expect to pay $50 to $150 for each hour worked.
Quarter round and shoe moulding differ mainly in shape and application. Quarter round has a perfect quarter-circle profile, ideal for covering larger gaps between the floor and baseboard, offering a traditional look. Shoe moulding has a flatter side, providing a tighter, more subtle finish, suitable for modern designs.
Gluing Pros and Cons
Poor adhesive application increases the risk of unsecured baseboards. Glue is less forgiving than nailing when removing or repositioning baseboards. The potential damages from the glue can impact the appearance of your baseboards and lower the quality of your home.
All nail, brad, and screw holes in trim are filled with wood filler.
Shoe molding and quarter-round molding are inexpensive, easy-to-install solutions that replace an ugly strip of caulk sometimes used to fill the gap. Installation is made easier by using an electric brad nailer.
Nail each piece of molding in place after both joints are fitted but before fitting the joint at the other end of the next piece.
For quarter round trim, the type of nail is just as important as its size. Generally, you want to use 18-gauge brad nails or 23-gauge micro pins.