Should I remove baseboards when installing hardwood floors?

A: It is not absolutely necessary to remove baseboards to install new hardwoods, but remember that wood floors require an expansion gap of 1/2 inch along the surrounding walls to accommodate expansion and contraction with changes in moisture and humidity.

Do you install baseboards before or after hardwood flooring?

Baseboards are often installed before flooring, although it depends on the type of flooring being used. It is necessary for carpeting to have the trim in place, allowing the edges to be tucked under and out of sight. However, for hardwood or laminate, it is easier to install the trim after.

Should I remove baseboards before refinishing hardwood floors?

As a general rule, we recommend leaving your base and shoe on when having your floors refinished, especially if it is painted. The only time that we would really want you to remove your base or shoe is if your floors have been refinished multiple times and the base was left on during that process.

Do flooring installers replace baseboards?

Most homeowners don’t think about baseboards in the flooring installation process and while not all floor installations will effect baseboards, most will require removal, reinstallation and even repositioning in some cases. Baseboards will be replaced once installation is complete.

Do carpenters install hardwood floors?

Carpenters erect a building’s wood frame, including subflooring, sheathing, partitions, floor joists, studs and rafters. Within carpentry, floor layers install carpeting, hardwood flooring, decorative flooring, soft tiles and “linoleum type” products made of vinyl and rubber is the work of floor layers.

Do you have to remove baseboards to install flooring?

Most flooring applications do not require you to remove existing baseboards. However, you may choose to remove the baseboards and replace them at the same time as flooring installation if you want to switch to a different baseboard height or change the style to match the overall look of your remodel.

Do baseboards touch the floor?

Baseboards should only touch the floor if you have no plans to carpet your floors and if you’ve already finished installing your other flooring. If you have yet to install the rest of your floor, carpet or otherwise, you’ll need to take into account the height of the installed flooring.

Can Hardwood be installed over hardwood?

With all that said, although you can add New Wood Flooring over the old one, the answer is YES. New Hardwood Flooring Over Old Hardwood Flooring: 3/4 “thick or thicker Solid or Engineered hardwood flooring must be built over old wood flooring boards (at an angle of 90 degrees).

Can you stay in house while floors are refinished?

The strong scent of polyurethane and stain lingers in the atmosphere for very long and can kick-start a migraine any time or all the time. Even if it’s not causing migraines, it’s still uncomfortable to live in a house where the floor is being refinished and there are strong odors in the air.