Undertaking a carpeting DIY project can be daunting, and you may have a lot of questions, like if carpet goes under baseboards.
Carpet can either be flush against baseboards or tucked underneath. For many homeowners, it depends on which was laid down first and if the baseboard and trim area is already painted or stained. Many DIYers prefer to tuck the carpet under the baseboards for a cleaner finish.
It looks like we have options on where your carpet should go! Don’t worry – in this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of both when carpet goes under baseboards and when it doesn’t.
Should Carpet Go Under Baseboards?
Placing carpet under the baseboards is ultimately up to you or the contractors. Both methods have pros and cons, though most prefer to tuck the carpet underneath. This doesn’t mean you have to if you want a more temporary carpet placement.
Pros and Cons of Placing Carpet Under or Flush to Baseboards
Deciding whether carpet goes under the baseboards is affected by different lifestyles. When the carpet is tucked under the baseboards, the room has a cleaner look, but it’s more difficult for you to replace the carpet in later years.
Pros of Placing Carpet Under Baseboards
- Cleaner Edges: When the carpet is tucked under the baseboards, the room’s edges have a cleaner finish. This is especially noticeable if you have a shaggier carpet.
- Baseboards or Carpet First: With this method, you can put either the baseboards or the carpet down first, so long as you leave room under the baseboards to tuck the carpet.
Cons of Placing Carpet Under Baseboards
- Replacement: It’s harder to replace a carpet tucked under baseboards or trim. Depending on how the contractors initially did it, you may also need to replace parts of the baseboards.
- Baseboard Damage: When placing a carpet under the baseboards, you risk damaging or chipping the trim if the contractors installed the baseboards first.
Pros of Placing Carpet Flush to Baseboards
- Easy Removal: When it comes time to replace your carpet, you’ll have an easier time pulling it up and tossing it.
- Baseboards Sit Flush: The baseboards or trim can be installed flush against the floor, minimizing the space that pests, dirt, and grime can become trapped in.
Cons of Placing Carpet Flush to Baseboards
- Baseboards First: The baseboards should be installed first if you’re not tucking the carpet under the trim. This makes it easier for the carpenters to lay down tack strips and stretch the carpet to the wall.
- Fraying: If you have pets, children, or high-traffic areas, your carpet risks becoming frayed at the edges without the baseboards to protect it. This can lead to the carpet becoming unstretched and the nail strips becoming a hazard.
Should You Install Baseboards Before or After Carpet?
Installing baseboards before or after the carpet is up to your personal preference or the contractor’s recommendation. There are a few things to consider when making your final decision.
You can install the baseboards and trim before the carpet if you want to paint or stain the baseboards without worrying about damaging the carpet. This makes the baseboard installation more straightforward but the carpet more time-consuming.
On the other hand, installing the carpet first makes it incredibly easy to tuck it underneath the trim and ensure no gaps.
How Much Space Does the Carpet Need Under the Baseboards?
If you’ve decided to tuck the carpet underneath the baseboards, you’ll need to leave space when the baseboards are installed. We recommend leaving 1/2 an inch to 1 inch of space underneath the baseboards, depending on your carpet’s thickness.
Once tack strips are fixed around the room’s edges, a “knee kicker” tool will help flush the carpet against the wall. Spoiler: It’s called a knee kicker because you use your knee as leverage against the wall. Once the carpet is flat and without wrinkles, you can carefully use a chisel tool to gently push the carpet beneath the baseboards.
Make sure to measure the 1/2 to 1 inch from the floor to the bottom of the baseboard. This ensures an even gap around the room, even in old houses where the floors slope in specific directions.
What To Do About Gaps Between the Carpet and Baseboards
You’ll want to plug any gaps between the carpet and baseboards for more than aesthetic reasons. Dirt, moisture, and insects can make their home in the small spaces of your home. You can use caulk, foam sealer, shoe mold/quarter round, and extra carpet padding to fill the gaps.
Calk fillers are best for small gaps less than 1/4 of an inch. Otherwise, the finish can appear messy. Foam fillers can be used for more significant gaps but require you to pull the carpet away from the baseboards, apply the foam, wait for it to dry, and then retuck the carpet.
Shoe molding and quarter round are standard, decorative baseboard strips that can easily fill gaps of larger sizes while securing the carpet under the baseboard or flush against the trim.
Extra carpet padding can be tucked under the carpet to elevate the edges to meet the bottom of the trim. Like the foam filler, this method requires you to pull the carpet away from the baseboard before installing it again.
Summary
The carpet can go either under the baseboard or flush against it. It depends on the carpet’s longevity, the ease of installation, and your preference on how you want your room to look. Most contractors tuck the carpet underneath for cleaner edges and less fraying, though it is more labor-intensive.
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FAQ’s
Should flooring go under baseboards?
Contractors typically install baseboards before flooring, depending on what type of flooring you’re putting down. When installing carpet, you can place the baseboards first. When installing hardwood or laminate, it’s easier to install the baseboards after.
Can you replace baseboards without removing the carpet?
There’s no need to remove carpet when replacing baseboards. After removing the original baseboards, you can install the new trim by resting it on the carpet before nailing it into place.