Why Use Quarter Round Molding Carpeting

Shoe molding is much the same as quarter round having the same 90 angle on the backside but instead of being a perfect quarter radius its profile is a bit more squat.

Why use quarter round molding carpeting.

It has a 90. She molding is typically 3 4 tall by 1 2 thick. Most baseboards come in a 9 16 width or less. Unlike quarter round molding the curve of shoe molding is less pronounced.

While quarter round can be installed along the bottom of baseboard trim carpenters and homeowners tend to prefer the sleeker look of shoe molding which is taller and narrower than its curved. Base shoe and quarter round are almost identical. As mentioned previously adding shoe molding serves to hide dips and valleys in the floor that the straight baseboard bottom accentuates. Shoe molding is another trimming option to use along walls and baseboards.

Both types of molding are very similar. Quarter round shown in two sizes in the picture on the left and the right is exactly as its name implies one quarter of a round dowel. He does not have to be as carefull cutting if he has an extra 1 2 inch provided by the 1 4 round. The main use for shoe molding is to run along the intersection of the baseboard and floor.

Some put the base molding down first then carpet others put the carpet down then base molding and sometimes base shoe but i find it a bit unsightly. The shoe molding is more flexible to follow the flooring. In some situations they can be used interchangeably but they both have their own specific uses as well. As the name indicates a quarter round molding when viewed from the end will appear to be one quarter of a full circle with both flat faces the same width.

The repercussion of not installing at the correct gap length is way more expensive and looks way worse then installing a quarter round base to your molding. Shoe molding would look better than quarter round. He may be trying to speed up the process of laying the floor yes you do need expansion room for the flooring to expand but between the space normally there where the sheetrock meets the wall and the baseboard it should be enough without the 1 4 round. So for those people living in places not relegated to the size of a box you must use quarter round to cover an expansion gap for hardwood floors.