It may be tempting to want to install a new tile floor without removing baseboards, as this can be more labor-intensive. However, if the baseboards are not removed, the new floor tile may not fit properly under the baseboards. But should tiles be installed under baseboards at all?
Tiles should be installed under baseboards. While it is possible to lay tiles while keeping the baseboards in place, experts generally advise against it, as achieving proper alignment can be difficult, leading to a sloppy floor-to-wall connection. This negates the attractive benefits that baseboards provide from the outset.
Learning how to renovate your own home is an exciting and empowering feeling. However, it comes with some challenges. In this article, I will address frequently asked questions in the DIY process, including the most effective methods for removing and reinstalling your baseboards.
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Can you install tiles without removing baseboards?
You can install tiles without removing baseboards, but it will result in a less attractive finished product. Baseboards are designed as a finishing product to give your home a clean, polished look and hide gaps between walls and flooring. By adding baseboards first, you are detracting from their purpose.
Baseboards enhance the aesthetics of your home
Baseboards are long strips of protective material, usually wood or vinyl. They run along the bottom of each wall at the fold where it meets the floor. You can use baseboards to create an attractive finishing surface or a protective barrier for your home.
As an aesthetic feature, baseboards are a great way to contrast wall colors and bring a room to life. They usually have a clean, bright color that visually opens up the space and creates a finished look. This includes decorative bevels to hold a room together and add a creative touch to any space.
While baseboards may not be something you notice when entering a house, you can definitely tell when someone has gone without them.
Baseboards not only visually tie a room together, but they also protect your walls from the daily wear and tear of life. Along the floor, your walls are vulnerable to damage from vacuum cleaners, spilled liquids, and light kicks. Baseboards serve to seal off your boundary from water damage and other simple abuse.
Poorly installed baseboards do not look good
Just as you can tell when someone has skipped baseboards, it is noticeable when someone has incorrectly installed them on tiles or other hard flooring.
Since baseboards are meant to enhance a room’s appearance, they should be the very last step done. Otherwise, it is almost impossible to fully adhere and grout tiles flush with the wall and baseboards. Even with careful, professional measurement, there are almost guaranteed to be gaps or cracks left behind.
By skipping the critical step of removing your baseboards, you are costing yourself long-term peace of mind and creating problems that you will inevitably have to deal with later.
Why you should remove baseboards without causing damage
Ultimately, removing your baseboards is the best way to effectively ensure that your flooring is flush with the wall and properly sealed. While it may take a little extra time upfront, it is worth the effort in the long run.
Gather hammer, glue, pliers, blades, and nails
Before you begin removing your baseboards, you should check and make sure you have all the necessary tools. There’s hardly anything more frustrating than being in the middle of a project and having to run to the hardware store.
Common tools:
- Utility Blade
- Thin scraper blade
- Pliers
- Thin nails
- Hammer
- Wood glue
Removing Baseboards
When removing baseboards, you need to work slowly and carefully. Being too ambitious and trying to rush the process can damage your drywall and create holes that will cost you both time and money to repair.
Follow the steps below to remove baseboards:
- Start the process by sliding a sharp utility knife between the wall and baseboard. This will remove any paint residue that may seal your baseboards to the wall, so you’ll have less detailing to paint or fix later on!
- Create the initial gap between baseboard and wall using a thin scraper blade. Slide the light blade behind the baseboard and start gently wiggling it to create space. Continue wiggling along the bar until you have completely separated the baseboard from the wall. Remember, there’s no hurry; be careful not to damage your walls at this step.
- All that’s left is to clean up the remaining surface. Then use the scraper to remove any broken pieces of baseboard and pull out any remaining nails with your pliers.
Watch this video to see how to remove baseboards:
How to Install Baseboards Anew
Once you’ve properly laid down your new flooring, it’s time to reinstall your baseboards.
According to the experts at Home Depot, this process can take more than a day, depending on how much area you need to cover. While the process itself isn’t complicated, some of the steps can be time-consuming.
Step 1: Prepare your baseboards
The first step is to prepare your new baseboards. This step can take the most time, but it can also be the most fun!
This is the time to envision how your finished room will look. Measure and cut the baseboards, choose the degree of beveling you want, and paint them in the color of your choice. Make sure the paint is fully dry before installing your baseboards! Otherwise, you may have to do another touch-up project.
At this stage, you should also consider angling the edges of the baseboards to fit precisely into corners and wall ends.
Step 2: Install your baseboards
Once your baseboards are sanded, painted, and leveled, it’s time to install them.
While different DIY experts recommend various methods for attaching baseboards, most use a combination of wood glue and thin nails to secure the baseboards to the wall.
Start by lining up the baseboard in the desired location. Ideally, it should fit flush both to the wall and to the floor of your home. Find the studs in the wall itself; that’s where you’ll place your nails. From there, it’s up to you how many nails to use, instead of wood glue. Nails provide a more secure hold but can compromise the overall aesthetic impression.
When finished, check for any gaps and cracks. These issues are common in older homes where the walls may no longer be perfectly square. If you notice obvious problems, you can fix them with caulk or wood putty. Any gap larger than a quarter inch may require further action to address the underlying issue.
In case of doubt, don’t hesitate to ask the employees at your trusted hardware store for their opinion. In DIY projects, there’s seldom a “right” way to do the job!
Conclusion
There’s more than one way to get the job done, and it always pays to listen to those with more experience. With that said, all experts agree: Tiles should be installed under baseboards.
DIY projects and renovations may seem daunting at first, but everyone starts somewhere! By learning to take control of your home, you’re giving yourself valuable skills that will last a lifetime.