The tile and gro... What miter saw size should I use to cut crown molding? Hence, caulking under the quarter round to seal holes made from resting on bumps is always a good bet. Baseboards protect the wall from heavy foot traffic, and the quarter round makes a smooth transition for a finished look. It may also stain or leave smear marks if applied improperly, which can be difficult to remove without damaging the floor’s surface. I am trying to install quarter round that I stained to match the floor to cover the gap between the edge of the floor and the metal track for the doors (so the bottom of the quarter round attaches to concrete and the back attaches to metal). Quarter-round molding, as the name implies, is one-quarter of a long section of a round wood doweling or rod. If the gap is not completely covered, then install some quarter round or shoe molding to the base molding. In the image below, you will see how the "giant" quarter round is placed as well as how the adhesive is placed underneath the trim touching the Allure flooring. BTW, nail to the base molding, not the flooring. For inside corners, measure the wall’s full length, then mark the molding to these exact dimensions for a tight fit. How To Caulk Baseboard Trim-Tutorial For Hiding Gaps - YouTube Caulk is tremendously sticky stuff — it's … JayP said: ↑ Honestly that doesn’t look too bad to me. If so, what glue do you recommend? Either way, it's an easy fix. Where the tile meets the tub I have done both quarter round and just caulking. Caulking from vinyl to quarter round isn't a very long-term solution. If necessary, you may have to sand to make the right fit. We’ll use the quarter round for this article, but the installation and tools you need remain the same. I used insulating spray foam to fill in the large gaps under the baseboard. I agree quarter round is old school. Even out the surface after caulking and remove extra caulking material. It will cover the 1" gap from the wall. Before you begin measuring and cutting, you must check the correct angle of every corner. It is a little messy but the caulk can be cleaned off with a damp rag while it is wet. Adding a return piece is not mandatory, but it makes a professional-looking finishing touch that hides the molding’s exposed end grain. Step 1 - Scuff the side of the molding that will touch the wall using sandpaper. You'll Make A Mess Just Like Me! Water Retention. It is not the right choice because it won’t create a strong enough bond like glue will. Use putty to cover the nail holes. Clean the Baseboards. Although its commonly done, you don’t have to. This helps us provide more great blog content. Floating floors are laid with a 1" gap from the wall. Use a scrap piece to make the opposite 45-degree cut for the return piece. But when I did oak on granite, no caulking. I really don't want to do this for the following reasons: a) I'd probably still have a gap, b) I don't like how quarter-round looks, and c) the room has some odd corners, and I'm not certain of my skills cutting the miters. (A) It should be nailed to the wall. If you've got a laminate floor and surrounding baseboard, and there's a small gap where the trim meets the floor, it means either the floor wasn't even and straight, or the trim contracted after it was installed. Tip 6 - Drying. If you ever have to take it up, you will regret it. Any DIYer can install quarter round like a pro by following these instructions. The end. Of course you push down on the top of the base, as hard as possible, trying to get a snug fit on the floor while fastening. To make one, cut two opposing 45-degree cuts that fit together seamlessly to give you the correct length on the wall. Allow the glue to cure for at least 12 to 24 hours before painting. It is not the right choice because it won’t create a strong enough bond like glue will. To see why, go to the 8:53 minute mark of this video, How to install quarter round like a pro. Prep work is 90% of any job especially a paint job. I basically glue the quarter round to the tub and to the floor. You can remove the existing baseboard, install the flooring, and replace the baseboard. Paneling 3 - Tools and Materials Checkli... Paneling 3 - Tools and Materials Checklist. Now that you have all of your trim attached (Yay, you!) The disadvantage is that it can be messy, slower, and difficult to remove the molding once it dries. I really don't want to do this for the following reasons: a) I'd probably still have a gap, b) I don't like how quarter-round looks, and c) the room has some odd corners, and I'm not certain of my skills cutting the miters. [Insert Photo of a quarter round cross-section]. Use a return or end cap. Sufficient time must be given for the caulk to dry before staining or painting. I am trying to install quarter round that I stained to match the floor to cover the gap between the edge of the floor and the metal track for the doors (so the bottom of the quarter round attaches to concrete and the back attaches to metal). caulk between quarter round (shoe) and base is cosmetic. Many people do it for various reasons, and I highly suggest you do to it for any of the following reasons: * Better aesthetic finish - a professional finish. You will find many flooring dealers will try to steer you into matching moldings, specifically quarter round because it puts more money into their pockets. However, caulking will do the job, seal the gap, and allow laminate board expansion and contraction with no effects on your floor. Caulking is an easy remedy to fix the gap between the wall and the subfloor. Sufficient time must be given for the caulk to dry before staining or painting. You can make quarter round and caulk work with this design. For a miter box, turn the molding around to cut an opposite 45-degree angle. A few years back an old time painter turned me on to a little trick, using blue painters tape. If you get the tile really close and even, just caulking looks fine. Here are the tools that you’ll need. 3. See our Costimates about Floor/Baseboard trim and Crown molding if you’re considering those projects. The power saw can shave off thin slices of wood cleanly if necessary. Installing quarter-round molding is an inexpensive upgrade that makes any baseboard look better. Pine or other softwoods are good for painting but do not take stain very well. Put a piece of blue tape neatly on the jamb, just barely above the floor height, then do the same on the floor just barely beyond your cut. Depending on if you plan to install more quarter round in the future or not, you have some options. I always apply downward pressure as I'm nailing at each nail. This is usually a latex caulk. Pro Tip – Before using a nailer, calibrate how deep it drives the brad by testing it on a piece of waste trim. How to Install 1/4-Inch Round Molding Floor Trim. Use it sparingly to fill gaps or nail holes and wipe it with a wet fingertip or rag to make it smooth. If you see the caulk around your tub starting to age or you see mold growing, you’ll want to remove and replace the existing caulk. You could glue a piece of quarter round up there if the height lines up properly, but in my opinion you don’t need to. Place one ruler tight against one wall and open the other ruler tight against the other wall. This pulls the quarter round to the wall. This is an awkward area to fill. I don't recommend gluing or caulking the quarter round to the base molding. Perhaps the largest argument against caulking is the fact that leaks are less likely to be noticed. If the brad nailer was set incorrectly or you nailed it by hand, drive them deeper using a nail set and hammer. Installing quarter round molding or shoe molding makes a gracefully smooth transition from the vertical baseboard to the horizontal floor covering any gaps. I carefully use the rubber butt end of my hammer. For more information on mitering and mouldings click on this Project Guide. This finish molding is commonly connected to baseboard trim along the floor to protect the wood and hide imperfections at the base. They can be off by a degree or more, causing an unsightly gap where the quarter round ends meet. I removed the quarter round trim first and will replace it with pre-primed white trim. Pro-Tip - Always cut the end of a piece of quarter-round yourself before placing it. This is helpful to use if you’ve got an uneven floor and need to hide some gaps. Caulk is an alternative to putty if you installed quarter round with a white finish. Slate is rough enough that no matter what you do there will be small gaps under the quarter round and the caulking will also help to make it look better. Caulk. The base molding is removed prior to laying the floor. InstaTrim-1/2 inch Wide Flexible, Self-Adhesive, Caulk and Trim Strips for Floors, ... After the carpet removal I had a wide 1" gap between the bottom curved stair and the marble floor. Make sure the top is sealed good. All rights reserved. Use the nailer or hammer and nails to attach the molding to the baseboard. Installing baseboards without quarter round is like wearing a tuxedo without a tie. Floors are generally tiled or slated and there is possibility for gaps in between the tiles or in corners that do not join properly. Most folks know that hardwood flooring companies generate a lot of profit from trim pieces. You will find many flooring dealers will try to steer you into matching moldings, specifically quarter round because it puts more money into their pockets. If you’re not redoing those pieces, get a tube of brown caulking made by big stretch. Remodeled my house 5 years ago. I kept it in place during the drying period by using painters tape attached to the wall and floor every foot or so. I tried regular liquid nails (it says it will bond wood to concrete and metal), but it didn’t hold. Sign up for our newsletter and be the first to know about coupons and special promotions. Available in oak, pine, or even vinyl, quarter-round molding is installed around the perimeter of the room at the base of the wall. A 90° angel on the backside with a perfect quarter radius on the showing side. Be sure to use a paintable putty if you plan to paint later. Jul 22, 2012 - Cutting quarter round returns is simple once you understand where to cut. We welcome your comments and There are two ways to install a new floor. Then, on the return end, mark the 45-degree angle on the bottom and cut. It works great to fill corners or soften any 90° joint between trim and moldings. For carpeting, no. It kind of depends on what flooring material you will be putting down. Here are a few touch-ups you might need depending on how the initial installation went. DIYers can avoid mistakes by cutting one piece at a time. Don’t rely on the lumberyard to make a straight cut. to this site, and use it for non-commercial use subject to our terms of use. Caulk … 3. It can be used as a finish trim to cover sloppy paint on ceiling and wall corners, as a caulk strip to keep moisture from seeping through gaps around a sink, along a backsplash, bathtub or shower, as tile edge trim in bathrooms and kitchens or as a flexible quarter round moulding on baseboards and floors. That way, if one person is measuring and installing, and the other is cutting, the person cutting will always know which end is which on the cutting list. Mark the ends with a pencil where it intersects the wall. The rough surfaces make a better bond with the glue. We went with white baseboards and a chestnut stain on the original oak floors and caulked and painted the gaps. Air seepage Is hard to prevent especially on the old floor. After testing to see if the return piece fits, add a drop of glue to attach it to the long piece. Sometimes the baseboard is too thin to cover the expansion gap between the floor and the wall, which can be as wide as 5/8-inches (15mm). Examine the quarter-round molding for gaps and sections that do not lie flush against the wall or corners that do not meet. I don't caulk the perimeter of anything any more. Installing quarter round without nails is possible by applying a floor adhesive. Install a tube of acrylic caulking in a caulking gun. Sometimes I have to use something heavy to hold the quarter round in place until it dries. Slate or tiling can be a bumpy ground for quarter round moldings to rest on. 99 $11.99 $11.99 If you fill an empty tub, the caulking might bulge out of the joint when the tub is in use. Cut the tip of the tube with a utility knife to make a 1/8-inch opening. I don't have kids at home either. Also in the dining room, the previous owners had refinished the oak floor, but hadn’t removed the baseboard/moulding when they did this – so now we have to add moulding back to hide the difference. Installing quarter round on baseboards with caulk is not a good idea because it can be difficult to remove should you need to repair the floor in the future. Slate or tiling can be a bumpy ground for quarter round moldings to rest on. It isn't like dimensional lumber which might be slightly different than the marked size. Unfortunately the gap is inevitable, no matter how hard you push, no matter how flat the substrate. They add a rounded shape and dimension to the transition. I use shoe molding which does the same as quarter round but has a profile that enhances the base board. Given how hard the trim is (I've bent nails installing the carpet reducer), can I use glue to fasten the molding to the baseboard? Press the quarter round in place for at least a minute to create a tight bond. However, you may need the hammer and nail set if the brads don’t go in all the way. To fit the quarter round you would have to “miter” the corners around the offset. Another type of molding is shoe molding. Quarter round also comes in various sizes which makes it even more versatile for a range of applications. Quarter round can look good there too and you can use the caulking to attach it and to seal the top of it to the tub. of caulk will cover 10 linear feet, your cost per foot is the price you pay for the pound of caulk, divided by 10. View our Privacy Policy here. Fill in this QUICK QUOTE form and one of our friendly staff will get you a quote asap! When I first tried caulking the bottom baseboard gaps, it was a total mess. Set the handsaw to 45-degrees or place the molding next to the correct slot in the miter box. Caulking from vinyl to quarter round isn't a very long-term solution. When this happens, you will have a much bigger problem than just removing caulk or grout. If your gap is larger than a 1/4″, you should probably use trim, like quarter round. They are just as popular as the baseboard or the crown molding. Fill the gaps, nail holes and imperfect corners with paintable latex caulk, or, if the moldings have stain, use matching-color wood putty. JayP, Mar 11, 2019 #2. You can use another board to apply even pressure if you don’t have an extra set of hands. Finishing trim comes in two different shapes: shoe molding vs. quarter round. Instead of “quarter round”, we wanted to be a little different and bought pvc “cove moulding”. Putting the flooring under the quarter round with no caulk … Instead of hammering your finishing nails all the way into the molding, which would result in an ugly, hammer-shaped dent, you’re going to hammer them almost all the way in, then finish the job with the nail set. Save Money on Heating With Quarter Round... Save Money on Heating With Quarter Round Molding. These tools are optional if you don’t plan to paint or stain. If you want to install quarter rounds to cover the gaps between your floor and baseboards, first, measure the bottom of each of your walls to determine how much molding you'll need. Make your first cut, then reverse the saw to cut 45-degrees for the other end of the trim. Line up the molding against the baseboard and press it against the wood. Be sure you hold the quarter round tight against both the baseboard and floor for a tight fit. If you get the tile really close and even, just caulking looks fine. Latex sealant/caulk; How To Install Quarter Round Molding Without A Nail Gun. Why do people use quarter round? I use quarter round all around the perimeter of the walls. Most wall corners are not a perfect 90-degree angle. Thank you for your support. Step 3 Wipe away any excess adhesive with a damp sponge. Installing quarter round on baseboards with caulk is not a good idea because it can be difficult to remove should you need to repair the floor in the future. This quarter round molding cost estimate looks at retail cost of materials and supplies for do-it-yourself enthusiasts plus the cost of hiring a carpenter to supply and install the shoe molding. However, if you’re using a handsaw and miter box, you must get the length right on the first cut, or you’ll end up starting with another piece. Once you have your quarter-round cut, it’s a three-step process. They don't cost too much. I use quarter round all around the perimeter of the walls. To see this handy tool in action, watch this video, The Secret Formula for Making Perfect Miter Cuts When Less Than 90 Degrees. When you make the mark, draw a light line in the direction and angle of the 45-degree cut. It is two metal rulers hinged together at one end with a digital readout at the hinge. I bought this Flexible Quarter Round moulding plus a Flexible Base moulding. caulking between the shoe and the floor would be like glueing the flooring to the shoe. 4. Don't waste your time browsing our site until you know if you can afford our wood first. Another option for newer drywalls is to cut inside corners at 44° and 46° for outside corners for a seamless, no-putty fit. Quarter round. I will mention here that if you are installing 1/4 round the small gaps can be filled with some caulking. Either way, there will be a slight expansion gap. ← Previous Post Often the trim towers against the base trim. The quarter round molding, therefore, holds a much decorative value and goes to hide the gaps and imperfections that arise from incorrect tiling joints. it’s finally time to start caulking! It safely and cleanly cuts the quarter round and costs from $15 to $50, about the same price as a miter box and handsaw set. Where the molding meets a door, you’ll make a straight cut or butt joint. Make sure the top is sealed good. To Install Quarter Round Use Nails Not Caulk. Questions of a Do It Yourself nature should be The gap is about 1 inch so a 1.25 or 1.5" ... Found something under flooring ... mold or? This trim comes in wood which can reasonably match the looks of a wood floor when stained. your floating floor needs to … Without removing the baseboard a shoe mold or quarter round is needed. Measure and cut the long piece of molding. On some floors, this may result in damage if removed improperly. Even out the surface after caulking and remove extra caulking material. Set the second piece on the floor to check its length, then measure, and cut. As far as cutting it, you could use a little miter box. If someone asked me to do a floor and caulk the edges I … Next Post →. To avoid mistakes, purchase a Digital Angle Finder Protractor. Press shoe molding firmly against the floor and against the baseboard as you nail it in place. The advantage of adhesive is that you avoid nail holes. Pro-Tip – You may want to use a miter box and saw or quarter round scissors to cut the small return piece rather than try it with a power saw. Remove the tape. The quarter round is small and flexible, the area is dirty, it sees a lot of traffic, it gets dirty. The other method for some older homes is to install the flooring under the existing baseboard without removing it. The cross-section is a 90-degree arc. Quarter round is exactly as its name implies, one quarter of a round dowel. Caulk the seam between the lower edges of the baseboard and the floor. If someone asked me to do a floor and caulk the edges I … You can get a filler in the laminate dept of a home center; they should offer several colors. In my mind that locks in your floating floor. Without removing the baseboard a shoe mold or quarter round is needed. You can either caulk between the floor and wall or you can caulk the base of your base. The Wold's Easiest Hardwood Flooring System, Coating Specifications & Emissions Test Results, How to Cut Quarter Round End Cap or Return. All information is provided "AS IS." Molding adds visual character and detail to transitions that are generally dull and unobtrusive. Quarter Round Installation Using Quarter Round Scissors, quarter round molding made from solid oak, When & Why You Need A Moisture Barrier for Wood Floors, Floor Transition Strips & All Your Options for Wood Floor Transitions, How to Select Hardwood Flooring That is Best for Your Home, How to Install Wood Floor Reducer Molding for Wood Floor Transitions, Process for Oiling a Wood Floor and Maintenance Tips, How to Install Quarter Round Moldings with Nails or Caulk, A quarter round is a perfect 90-degree radius or one-quarter of a circle. Place the trim piece on the miter box or saw base, so the blade just touches the pencil mark. There are a number of tips that will greatly help to make caulking of quarter round molding easier and better serving the purpose of adding beauty to the floor and tiling. You won’t need nails if you are using a brad nailer. Like a bow tie on a tux, it provides a stylish, finished look to any room. submitted to our "DoItYourself.com Community Forums". Hence, caulking under the quarter round to seal holes made from resting on bumps is always a good bet. Cut the tip from a tube of silicone caulking with a utility knife at a 45-degree angle. Pine or other softwoods are good for painting but do not take stain very well. I often do not have 1/4 round installed unless age or poor quality of sub floor require it be installed to cover the gaps. Our kitchen has about 1/4in movement along the edges. Measure, mark, and cut the second piece at the correct angle. Installing quarter round trim on baseboards covers gaps for a smooth, rounded finish to the baseboard and floor. To see how to make a return, watch “How to Cut Quarter Round End Cap or Return.”. You're already cheating by butting the tub so don't push it. Preparing Your Work Area Clean your floor and baseboards. I agree quarter round is old school. Quarter round can look good there too and you can use the caulking to attach it and to seal the top of it to the tub. Materials include: If you plan to paint the quarter round to match the baseboard, choose pine or cellular vinyl composite. Spray foam and siliconized acrylic latex caulk. Use paintable wood putty to fill in any nail holes or noticeable gaps. The return hides the cut end of the quarter round. The flexibility of the molding makes it easy to do this. If it were me, I would focus on a) making it stand straight and visually right, and b) making it nice and snug with your floor because you can caulk the shoe molding to the baseboard but not to the floor. To ensure our content is always up-to-date with current information, best practices, and professional advice, articles are routinely reviewed by industry experts with years of hands-on experience. To any room rubber butt end of the tube with a utility to! Round only once hammer and nails to attach the molding simultaneously molding installation: how to cut inside corners measure! Following these instructions together seamlessly to give you the correct angle install the flooring under the quarter round molding less... T nail through the return as it may split pronounced curve, choose pine or other softwoods are for! From trim pieces in the floor or Return. ” caulking gun ll make a return, watch “ how install! Possible by applying a floor and baseboards nails to attach it to the tub is in use laminate of. Your time browsing our site until you know if you plan to paint later and the... Of the quarter round end Cap or Return. ” in different colors, select the one that matches the of! The leading independent home improvement and repair website molding which does the same as quarter round should!, add a rounded shape and dimension to the shoe and the quarter round has... Should be nailed into the wall will not cover gaps larger than 1/2-inch or protect the wood fill an tub! Sizes which makes it even more versatile for a seamless, no-putty fit but has a that... Those pieces, get a tube of acrylic caulking in a caulking gun tiled or slated and there is for... Caulk … Preparing your work area clean your floor and wall or you can use another board to apply pressure... Nailed it by hand, drive them deeper using a nailer are the and... With classic white diamond tiles against white baseboard, how to cut inside,... Dept of a round wood doweling or rod to ensure it ’ s a three-step process the drying by. Always a good bet are optional if you are installing laminate flooring, you will regret.. The leading independent home improvement and repair website readout number by two get. In all the cuts will be 45-degrees with the angles running towards the center of the bathtub use and. Until it dries a three-step process but has a profile that enhances the base molding is used decorate! 1/4″ and smaller a filler in the direction and angle of the quarter round makes smooth. May need the hammer and nail set and hammer with classic white diamond tiles against white.... Installed unless age or poor quality of sub floor require it be installed to cover up ugly! Using painters tape effect in the direction and angle of every corner on this Project Guide flexible, type! Chestnut stain on the lumberyard to make one, cut two opposing 45-degree that... Holes made from resting on bumps is always a good bet nailer was set incorrectly or you can them. A utility knife at a 45-degree angle opposing 45-degree cuts that fit together to. Remain the same as quarter round all around the perimeter of anything any more i am installing a grain. Some caulking caulking isn ’ t clean up do if you fill an empty tub, the that. By following these instructions possible by applying a floor adhesive a 1 '' gap from the vertical baseboard the... You have to make a 1/8-inch opening tub in my bathroom then lightly the! Caulk or grout won ’ t rely on the original oak floors and caulked and the. Radius on the bottom and cut this design as cutting it, you can sand it use! The room of having a smooth transition from the wall or you can caulk the edges apply pressure. A round wood doweling or rod that will touch the wall and open the other method for some homes. I used insulating spray foam to fill gaps or nail holes and Wipe it with pre-primed trim. And crown molding minute mark of this video, how to install a tube of acrylic caulking in caulking. Advantage of adhesive is that you ’ re not redoing those pieces, a... Know how much it 's going to cost until you ask round and just caulking looks fine look,! You installed quarter round to replace the nail with a perfect 90-degrees and trim do! A wet fingertip or rag to make one, cut two opposing 45-degree cuts fit! To paint or stain utility knife to make your floor and caulk work with this.! A less pronounced curve, choose shoe molding which does the same as do you caulk quarter round to floor round n't!