Baseboards are typically installed prior to the flooring. For instance, baseboards should be installed first before laying carpeting. It allows for the edges to be tucked under and out of view. However, it's much easier and convenient for hardwood and laminate flooring to be laid first before installing the trim.
The industry standard in the US is flooring first:Tile,laminate,wood,vinyl ect. Finish with base boards. 1/4 round at cabinets in place. Just trying to help!
In construction and renovation, the general practice is to install floors first before adding walls. This approach allows for easier installation of flooring materials and ensures a cleaner finish.
Don't want to deal with removing baseboards? You can leave them in place, but you will need to leave a ¼” gap between the baseboard and flooring, to account for expansion over time. You may want to purchase some quarter-round pieces in a matching color to cover up this gap.
Most flooring applications do not require you to remove existing baseboards. However, you may choose to remove the baseboards and replace them at the same time as flooring installation if you want to switch to a different baseboard height or change the style to match the overall look of your remodel.
Underlayment is not required if the vinyl flooring will be laid over a cushion-backed vinyl floor or a tile floor below grade. In all other applications, however, you should use one, such as covering existing hardwood floors, vinyl flooring without cushion, and concrete floors.
You have the top layer that is your floor covering (Hardwood, Laminate, Vinyl, Carpet, etc.), next you have the underlayment (usually a thin layer of fiber, foam, rubber), below that you have your subfloor (plywood, OSB, concrete), and lastly you have the joists which are the foundation to your floors.
Because of this installation process, its recommended cabinets go in before floating floors. Cabinets, especially those with heavy stone countertops, could damage your floating floors. These types of floors also shift, expand, contract and settle after installation, causing the cabinets on top of them to move.
You should get the messy jobs done long before approaching the final touches. This includes prepping the walls and removing the old flooring. Then install your new floors and painting should be the final thing on your to-do list!
Ideally, you want to address a gap between your baseboard and flooring before your flooring is installed.
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.
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.
Framing should ideally be done before flooring as well, but drywall is up to you. It is traditionally installed before flooring, but does not have to be. Designer Amy Pigliacampo proved in her Boulder home that installing drywall after flooring can be beautiful.
Flooring installers can install your flooring without removing your baseboards, but each case is different. The process will be different for various floor coverings and can require additional steps we'll talk about in this post.
Typically, carpenters or baseboard installers will account or the flooring to run under the baseboard. This floor is commonly hardwood floors, tile, or carpet. With that said, the gap they leave will vary based on their instructions or what they anticipate the flooring type will be.
The general rule of thumb with kitchen remodels is to follow this order: lay the flooring, install the kitchen cabinets, glue down the countertops and install backsplash, and then bring in the appliances, sink, hardware, light fixtures and backsplash for the final touches.
Since most furniture will not go under just one plank, it is perfectly safe for bulky furniture and refrigerators to go on vinyl plank flooring. Vinyl plank flooring will not be damaged or cracked by home appliances' weight due to its strong durability.
Another practical reason to have flooring under a dishwasher is to facilitate repair work that may involve pulling out your dishwasher. Plus, it will be easier to replace the dishwasher in the future if the flooring is already under it, especially if you go with a different type of dishwasher.
As a general recommendation, it's more cost-effective to install your cabinetry first. Many experts suggest leaving the kickboards off your cabinets until the flooring is laid. This allows the flooring to go slightly under the cabinets, creating a cleaner look.
We recommend starting in the left corner of the longest wall in the room and to install the planks in the same direction as the main light source (e.g. the main window). Planks are always installed from left to right.
Yes, mold can grow under vinyl flooring if moisture becomes trapped underneath the flooring material. Vinyl flooring is not a breathable material, which means that moisture cannot escape through the flooring.
When moisture penetrates your flooring, it can cause mold, mildew, and the potential for water damage. A moisture barrier helps control the water vapor's movement to help protect your floors. Therefore, if you're installing floors in an area that sees moisture, even a little, a vapor barrier is needed.
vinyl plank flooring in your kitchen or bedroom. You can easily install it over any rigid and level surface, including concrete, wood or even up to one layer of other vinyl.