What is trim for flooring?

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They cover expansion gaps, help your floor transition smoothly from one room to another, even one type of flooring to another, and protect your walls as you do regular sweeping and cleaning. Trims exist for wood and laminate, for stone and tile, and for vinyl flooring.



Correspondingly, what type of trim should I use?

A good place to learn the types of trim is Lowe's glossary. They are bare wood, primed wood, medium-density fiberboard, polystyrene and PVC trim. You should use bare wood if you want to stain it or have a natural wood look. The type of wood you can choose from usually ranges from poplar to pine to fir to oak to aspen.

Beside above, does door trim go to the floor? Baseboards and door casings have similar installation methods. It can be referred to as either casing when it's applied around a door or baseboard when it's applied to the floor, but it's the same thing. All that's really needed to install baseboard or door casing is a power miter saw and some type of nail gun.

Thereof, what goes down first flooring or baseboards?

If you put baseboards first, you'd have to tuck the laminate under them. Flooring first, baseboards second.

Is it hard to replace baseboards?

How to Replace Baseboard Molding. Pry the entire strip of molding away from the wall, wedging it firmly from one end to the other. Cracked or chipped baseboard molding is ugly, but not irreparable. Replacing the damaged molding takes time, but it isn't difficult.

39 Related Question Answers Found

What are the different types of trim?

Here's a primer of the most common types of trim.
  1. Shoe Molding. Narrow, rounded trim that conceals the joint between the baseboard and the finished floor.
  2. Baseboard. Wide, flat trim installed at the base of the walls and against the finished floor.
  3. Base Cap.
  4. Head Jamb.
  5. Head Casing.
  6. Side Jamb.
  7. Side Casing.
  8. Chair Rail.

What is the most popular baseboard trim?

Rounded or stepped trim is probably the most common type of baseboard you'll encounter. This is the type of trim used in a lot of newer construction. Basically, it's a piece that's about 5/8 inch to 7/8 inch wide and three to three and a half inches tall.

Does base trim have to match door trim?

Five or six inches would be more in scale. If you are using beefier 3 ½ or 4 1/2-inch door trim, 8- or 10-inch baseboards are more appropriate. Keep in mind, also, that the outside edge of the door molding has to be deep enough to accommodate the thickness of the baseboard.

Is Crown Moulding still in style?

If they have crown molding in their house=Crown molding never goes out of style. The only reason you no longer see it is because people can't afford it. If they don't have crown molding=Crown molding is out of style. The truth=Probably depends on the style of the house and the quality of workmanship.

What is the difference between trim and molding?


2 Answers. Trim is a general term, often used to describe all types of molding and millwork. Casing is a type of molding, typically used to trim the perimeter of windows and doors. Base molding (or baseboard) is a type of molding, which is applied where the wall and floor meet.

What is the trim around a door called?

The trim that surrounds a door frame is called casing, and it's always installed before baseboard and chair rail because they have to butt against it. Casing is also the easiest type of molding to install because the joinery is simple, making it a perfect first project.

What type of baseboards are in style?

Baseboard Styles and Profiles
  • Plain Baseboard Styles. Requirement MDF baseboard can be really basic.
  • Vinyl Baseboard Styles. Archiexpo.
  • Baseboard Profiles.
  • Back-Profiled Baseboard.
  • Major Trim Profiles.
  • Three-Inch Rounded or Stepped Baseboard.
  • Flat Baseboard Molding.
  • Sculpted Mid-Height Baseboard Trim.

What is the trim around an exterior door called?

Exterior Trim
Optional features for door units include the use of brickmould or casing. Both trim or accent the outside edge of the exterior door frame. Brickmould has a profile and is available in the same materials as the frame, while casing is flat and only available in PVC or wood.

Do you put trim down before flooring?

Baseboards are often installed before flooring, since they must be finished in place with either stain or paint and this is much easier without worrying about staining the hardwood, tile or carpet.

Do I have to remove my baseboards to install laminate flooring?


If you already have baseboards in the room, you can do one of two things: Remove the baseboards and either reuse or replace them after you install your laminate. Leave the baseboards and install large quarter round to cover the gap (Step 9)

How high should baseboards be off the floor?

When installing carpet, you'll notice a slight variance in baseboard height, which is typically between 1/4 inch and 3/8 inch. An easy way to space baseboard off the floor for carpet is by using precut 1/4-inch shims as spacers, which will provide a consistent height throughout the room.

Do you install baseboards before or after flooring?

Once the baseboard has been removed it is time to install your hardwood floor. After the floor is installed, reinstall your baseboards, touch up and caulk where needed.

How tall should baseboards be with 8ft ceilings?

Here is a great rule of thumb: A standard 8-foot wall typically has a baseboard 3 to 5 inches tall, while a 10-foot ceiling calls for 5 to 7 inches.

Should I remove baseboards before installing tile?

When replacing a porcelain tile floor, the baseboards should be removed. If, however, the old baseboards are either outdated or damaged beyond repair, installing new moldings to match or creating a new look with a different profile will freshen up the style while accentuating the new porcelain tile floor.

Should you paint walls before installing flooring?


The answer to the question is, “do the floors first!” Here's why: Removing and replacing flooring or carpeting is dirty work. If you paint first, and then do floors, there is a good chance that a lot of dirt, dust, sawdust or tile/stone dust will end up on your freshly painted walls and trim.

Do you have to remove baseboards to replace carpet?

Depending on the design of the room, it may be wise or even strictly necessary to remove doors and baseboard molding so that your carpeting fits squarely against all edges. You can probably install the new carpet without having to take off the baseboards first.)

Does laminate flooring need trim?

Laminate Flooring Needs an Expansion Gap
Accurate trimming at the edges and where cut-outs are necessary can make a real difference between a luxurious look and a pig's ear. This is necessary because all laminate flooring expands and contracts as the temperature and amount of moisture in the room changes.