Should Carpet Or Baseboard Be Installed First

The carpet guys believe installing flooring first would be the most cost effective and stress free solution and here is why.

Should carpet or baseboard be installed first. Baseboards go in first and then your tackless striping stands about 1 2 out from the baseboard. A really thick shag carpet can make it difficult to judge how high to place the trim. Baseboard installed on top of carpet should be installed at approximately the same height with this exception. Then touch up base if need be.

When the carpet is install use a stretcher to get the carpet attached to the tackless. There may be instances where you want to put the carpet down first. Some professionals may have a strong preference but ultimately baseboards can be installed before or after carpet. Or you may be replacing the baseboards but leaving the carpet.

If you are not intending to install quarter round or base shoe the baseboard. The trimmer is not going to make a special trip back to install the base after carpet is installed. Many builders do not install flush to the floor compensating for height of carpet. Which comes first carpet or baseboard.

When you opt to install the baseboards first set them 1 4 inch above the floor so you can finish the carpet installation. Ask your carpet installer their preference to begin the discussion. If you re in one of these situations follow these instructions to install the trim after the carpet. Nice taller baseboards should frame the room first prime caulk and base coat as above before you install carpet.

When you remove the excess use cutter made to slide along the wall and then drive the edge of the carpet down into that 1 2 space between the strip and the wall. Generally the installation of carpet or baseboard is easier for whoever installs first. Once the carpet and the baseboards are in place you can tuck the edges. Baseboard first set on 3 8 wood lath strips tack less set between 3 8 1 2 inch away padding brought up to tack less and carpet installed and stretched over tack less and tucked under base.