Installing Floor Molding Before Carpet

Follow these guidelines to prepare your floor and protect your new carpet investment.

Installing floor molding before carpet.

If adding baseboards after carpet is laid it should be installed at the same height as without carpet. Imperfections in your subfloor can lead to problems with your new carpet like gaps or lumps or damage from moisture or odors. In addition the tack strip will be under the baseboards. For most installers this is not a problem and can be done easily.

When installing baseboards before carpet ask the installer how large of a gap to leave between the floor and the trim e g. 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. Whether you re installing new carpet yourself or having a professional do it it s important to prepare your floors before installation. The carpet installer can run the tack strip up to the trim then roll excess carpet under the trim.

Take it from a 31 year professional installer put down the baseboards first leaving a gap at the bottom for the very best. If you are not intending to install quarter round or base shoe the baseboard should be. However consult with your installer to be. Carpet installers prefer to cut the carpet a little long and tuck the excess into the gap for a neater job.

Once the carpet and the baseboards are in place you can tuck the edges. 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.