Baseboards help protect the lower walls from scuffs and dings caused by vacuum cleaners, brooms and mops, and general traffic. It also guards against things like scrapes from the feet of furniture or scratchy pet paws. Baseboards are more durable than drywall, making them less likely to show dings.
While modern baseboards may seem like they are only there to finish off the bottom of the drywall and add aesthetic appeal, they also serve another purpose. They are put in place to protect the drywall from absorbing anything that may spill on the floor.
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.
Without them, your wall is more susceptible to damage, including water damage. In addition, baseboards help keep dirt from falling in the tiny cracks between the wall and floor (I.e., the places even the best vacuums can't reach). Additionally, they help hide crooked walls and other unsightly blemishes.
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.
Because baseboard heaters are outdated systems, you may need to hire heating repair services more often just to ensure they are in good working order. In contrast, more modern HVAC systems won't require as much maintenance, and they can efficiently heat your entire house through ducts and vents.
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.
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.
Rounded or Stepped Baseboard
This is the most popular baseboard profile used in homes. The top of the trim has a rounded shape that tapers into the wall. The trim of these types of baseboards looks best in modern homes because of its relatively short profile and simple design.
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.
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.
While it is possible to install flooring without baseboards, it's important to consider the practical and aesthetic implications of doing so. Baseboards serve essential functions like covering expansion gaps and protecting walls, but for homeowners seeking a minimalist design, there are alternative options available.
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.
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.
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.
Pros of Baseboard Heating
Unlike forced-air systems that can be noisy, baseboard heaters work silently, causing minimal disturbance. Additionally, their installation is relatively easy and cost-effective, especially in houses where ductwork for a traditional system would be a huge undertaking.
Although baseboards aren't a necessity, they help give most homes a finished look and are highly functional.
The color gray is out
Daley told Insider the once popular gray trend has disappeared quickly and will continue to do so in 2024. "With its popularity, many homeowners jumped on the gray bandwagon," Daley said.
Modern Trim
The contemporary baseboard trim style typically contains minimum curves, corners edges, designs etc. It is a more minimalistic look. Some profiles only display a couple of edges while traditional has many different components to each baseboard trim profiles.
There's no doubt, replacing older baseboard heaters can also lower your energy consumption. The “fins” inside older heaters usually become caked in dust (and pet hair) which reduces the heater's efficiency. New baseboard heaters such as Stelpro or Ouellet can look great and lower energy costs.
Electric baseboard heaters are generally more energy-efficient for long-term use because they convert nearly all the electricity they use into heat and can be controlled to heat specific areas. Space heaters can consume more electricity, especially when used for prolonged periods.