So y'all are about to install your new hardwood flooring and are wondering if you should remove your baseboard outset? There are a few factors yous should consider earlier getting started:

  • How your current baseboards are installed
  • Height of electric current baseboards
  • What you want the finished product to await like
  • Condition of the existing baseboards

By and large, it'south a good idea to remove baseboards earlier installing your flooring, here'due south why:

  1. The finished product might await better.

Brusque baseboards requite a improve-finished expect, aesthetically without shoe molding or quarter circular. However, with alpine profile baseboards, a shoe molding may heighten the decor.

  1. Matchup to the same height of your wood floors

The height of your new hardwood flooring may not exist the same peak as your previous floor covering, therefore, the meridian of the baseboards would demand to be adjusted accordingly.

Tools Needed

Pliers and nails

  • Utility Pocketknife
  • Pry bar
  • Scrap slice of woods
  • Hammer
  • Pliers

Removing the Baseboard

To remove the baseboard, begin by slicing whatsoever caulk that may be sealing the baseboard with your wall. Wedge enough of an opening to slide your pry bar backside the baseboard. One time your pry bar is secure, place the fleck slice of wood above/behind the pry bar. The block of woods volition act every bit a buffer betwixt the pry bar and your wall and will assist protect your wall from any possible harm. Next, gently pry and work down the length of the baseboard to slowly loosen from the wall. When you get to an area of increased resistance (almost likely from a smash), pry slowly until you experience the nail has been removed from the wall. Have your time and work throughout the entire length of the baseboard. Y'all do not want to remove i side before the other; this can cause damage to the molding.

In one case you take a section of baseboard off use pliers to pull the nails out from the dorsum side of the boards in a twisting motion. This will help disguise whatever holes on the face up of the lath.

Pro Tip: If you lot number each piece of the baseboard and the wall information technology came off of, later on the new flooring is installed information technology can be easily exist matched.

One time the baseboard has been removed information technology is time to install your hardwood floor. After the floor is installed, reinstall your baseboards, bear on up and caulk where needed.

Why would I desire to leave the baseboards on?

  • Baseshoe InstallYour existing baseboard is not in the best shape and could exist broken during removal
  • The baseboards were glued to the drywall and could bear witness difficult to remove without damage
  • You take no time to remove the baseboards and want a quick solution to finish the projection

If you have decided yous do not want to remove the baseboards molding you lot can follow these steps.

When installing woods flooring you lot are required to leave an expansion gap of approx the thickness of the flooring effectually the edges of the room. This gap will help ensure your floor has enough room to aggrandize and contract throughout the seasons.

Install the base shoe/quarter round molding over the expansion gap created by your new hardwood flooring. When attaching the base shoe/quarter circular, nail the molding into the bottom of the existing baseboard and not into the floor itself. Fill any nail holes and use whatsoever touch up as needed.