The purpose of quarter round is to prevent dirt, dust and other debris from entering a room or to cover up imperfections and gaps where two pieces of flooring or trim meet. Quarter round is a type of trim that is shaped like a quarter of a circle and is generally used along walls and baseboards.
It is made from a variety of materials including wood, vinyl, metal or plastic and can be painted, stained or left as-is. Quarter round is also used as a decorative accent to add interest to walls or floors and is commonly used around door and window frames and in rooms with ornate wood work.
It is a great way to seal off gaps and keep dirt and dust out while still providing an aesthetically pleasing look to a room.
Do people still use quarter round?
Yes, people still use quarter round. Quarter round is a type of trim used in many applications and is installed around the perimeter of a room. It is most commonly used at the junction of walls and floors, often seen where baseboard trim ends and the floor begins.
Quarter round can also be used to trim around window and door frames, to hide the expansion gap between two sections of floor, or to join two different flooring types. It is very popular because it has a traditional look, is easy to install and finish, and is also very affordable.
Additionally, quarter round is available in a variety of colors and materials so you can customize your home to match your style.
Do I have to use quarter round when installing laminate flooring?
No, you do not have to use quarter round when installing laminate flooring. Quarter round is typically used when installing tile or hardwood flooring to cover the gap between the edge of the floor and the wall.
Laminate flooring already has an edge that helps cover this gap, so quarter round is not necessary. However, if you prefer the look of quarter round, you may choose to install it. Be sure to choose a color and material that will coordinate with the laminate flooring.
Which is better quarter round or shoe molding?
Deciding which is better between quarter round and shoe molding depends on the specific application. Quarter round is a type of molding that is rounded on one side and flat on the other, typically a quarter circle in cross-section.
It is often used for finishing the exposed edge of flooring. In comparison, shoe molding is a flatter and thinner pattern that sits directly on top of the floor, and is used for finishing the gap between two pieces of flooring or baseboard.
Quarter round is a good choice if you are looking for more of a decorative piece, as it comes in multiple shapes and sizes, and can be stained or painted to match the room. It is also stronger compared to shoe molding and is less susceptible to dents or scratches.
However, it is slightly difficult to install due to its odd shape and is more expensive than shoe molding.
Shoe molding on the other hand is a cheaper option and is easier to install, as the flat part of the molding can easily be tucked underneath and be secured with nails. Despite its low cost and ease of installation, shoe molding is not usually suitable for rooms with heavy traffic due to its flimsy nature and will easily get dented and scratched.
It also has a tendency to come loose over time, as it is not as securely held as quarter round.
Overall, which one is better will depend on the type of installation and the specific needs of the project. If you are looking for an inexpensive and easy to install solution, then shoe molding would be the better choice.
On the other hand, if you are considering strength and durability, quarter round might be the one to go for.
How do you install quarter round without a nail gun?
Installing quarter round without a nail gun is possible, but it requires some time and patience. The installation process will depend on the type of quarter round trim you are using. If the trim is an adhesive type, peel back the adhesive backing and press the trim firmly into place.
Make sure to press hard enough to get a strong bond. If the quarter round is the type that requires nailing, then there are alternative methods. One option is to use brads and a small hammer. Start by pre-drilling small holes in the wall where you would normally use a nail.
Then, use the smaller brads to secure the trim in place, tapping lightly with your hammer until the trim is secure. Another alternative is to use construction adhesive, such as Liquid Nails, to hold the quarter round in place.
A generous bead should be applied directly to the back of the quarter round and then it can be pressed firmly to the wall. Make sure the adhesive is evenly spread and that the pieces are held together until the adhesive has fully set.
How do you deal with quarter round?
Quarter round is one of the most versatile pieces of molding used in any given space. It can be used to cover the gap between the baseboard and the wall, it can also be used as a transition between different floor coverings, and it can be used to make a decorative statement in any corner or space of a room.
To install quarter round, you will first need to determine the size of the molding you need and make any necessary cuts. Once this is done, you will need to measure the space where you want to install the quarter round and mark the corner lines on the wall and floor with a pencil.
Once the lines are in place, you can use a hammer and nail to secure the quarter round to the wall and floor. To keep the quarter round from slipping, you should use construction adhesive at the back of the molding before nailing it in place.
If you don’t have construction adhesive, you can also use a caulk gun to secure the quarter round. Finally, to make sure the quarter round is finished properly, you should use a piece of 100 grit sandpaper to sand the surface and make sure it’s smooth.
When should you use shoe molding?
Shoe molding, also sometimes referred to as quarter round or baseboard trim, is an easy and inexpensive way to add a finishing touch to any room in the home. Generally, it is used to fill the gap between the floor and baseboard molding or wall-to-baseboard connections.
It is used along the base of the wall around the perimeter of the room, but can also be used to transition between different flooring materials or to cover any imperfections in the wall-to-floor junction.
Additionally, shoe molding can be used to transition between different wall treatments such as wallpaper and tile, or where a chair-rail meets its corresponding wall trim. When used on walls, shoe molding can be stained, painted or left unfinished and left raw allowing the natural beauty of the wood to show.
Shoe molding can also be used to cover expansion gaps between carpet and other wall treatments, to transition between cabinetry and walls and for any other transition-related needs you may have.
When should quarter round be used?
Quarter round trim is typically used when there is a transition from flooring to a wall, and is usually most effectively used when the flooring is a hard surface, such as wood, vinyl, or tile. It provides a more polished and finished look than a simple butt joint, but does not offer as much protection from debris and dust as baseboard.
Quarter round is available in a variety of woods, colors, and finishes, so it can be tailored to match any decor. Additionally, quarter round can be used around the edges of doors and windows to give them a more finished appearance.
Ultimately, when it comes down to it, quarter round trim is best used when you want to give a room or area an enhanced, polished look.
Should quarter round molding match baseboard or floor?
When selecting trim, it’s important to consider which pieces of trim will match and how they all fit together to create a cohesive finished look. Quarter round molding is best matched with the flooring—in other words, choose a quarter round that matches the color and type of flooring you have installed.
This will ensure that the molding blends in with the floor and does not stand out too much. Alternatively, you can choose a slightly contrasting color for your quarter round, making it a design element that is complementary to your floor and baseboard.
The choice of matching the quarter round to the baseboard color or to the floor is entirely up to you.
How big of a gap will quarter round cover?
Quarter round molding, also known as shoe molding, is a thin strip of trim typically used to cover gaps and small imperfections around baseboards and around doors and windows. It comes in varying widths, but the typical size for quarter round is about 5/8″ thick and 1/4″ tall.
Depending on the size of the gap it is covering, quarter round can fill gaps up to 3/8″ in width. While it is best to use the thinnest possible trim to cover the hole, quarter round molding can usually fill gaps up to 1/2″ wide without causing any significant damage to the wall or floor.
It is important to note, however, that quarter round may not be able to cover any greater gap than about 1/2″ due to its size and rigidity.
Do you put shoe molding around cabinets?
Yes, you should put shoe molding around cabinets. Shoe molding is a thin, flexible molding that provides a transition between the floor and the base of the cabinets. It can help protect cabinet bases from getting damaged by furniture feet, toys, and everyday foot traffic.
It also can provide a decorative detail that enhances the look of your kitchen or other room. When installing shoe molding, it should be installed so that the wider side of the molding is facing down and the narrow part is flush against the cabinets to create a seamless transition.
To ensure a secure fit, you should use finishing nails or construction adhesive to secure the shoe molding to the cabinet base.
Do baseboards need shoe molding?
Baseboards do not technically need shoe molding, but using shoe molding is certainly a way to enhance their appearance and create a visually interesting baseboard system. Shoe molding, also called base shoe, is a type of trim that gets installed around the bottom of the baseboard to give the wall a finished and professional look.
It also helps to provide protection for the baseboard when furniture is moved around. Shoe molding can be made from many materials, depending on the look you would like to achieve, such as MDF, vinyl, and wood.
Most often, shoe molding is made from the same material as the baseboard, and it’s easier to stain or paint before installation in order to get an exact match. Installing shoe molding around the baseboard is an easy and inexpensive way to update the look of the room and is highly recommended to anyone who is looking for a more polished look.
Do door frames and baseboards have to match?
Generally speaking, door frames and baseboards do not need to match. It is ultimately up to the homeowner’s individual preference whether they choose to match the architecture of the house or choose a contrasting color or material type to accentuate other decorative pieces.
Choosing to match the door frames and baseboards an give an overall neat and finished look to the home. However, contrasting the door frames and baseboards can add unique elements to the interior and make it stand out from the rest.
Ultimately, there is no right or wrong answer when it comes to deciding if the door frames and baseboards should match or not.
Does hardwood floor need quarter round?
It depends on the installation and the look you are going for. If the hardwood floor is being installed to a room with base molding, then quarter round may not be necessary. Quarter round is generally used to hide the expansion gap between the perimeter of the floor (wall to wall) and the base molding.
It also helps to hide any minor imperfections left from the installation as well as levels small gaps. In some cases it is used to add an aesthetic touch as it frames the floor and is used for concealing gaps between baseboard and flooring.
