Hardwood Floor Moldings. Types, Uses, Where?

What Kind Of Moldings Do I Need?

Types of moldings will depend on what type of installation you're dealing with. For instance, a floor that will be sanded and finished on site generally does not come with actual moldings. Often the installer will cut the trim moldings from the actual hardwood being used to a desired shape with a table saw. Once the installer leaves it's up to the floor finisher to smooth them in preparation for finishing. Stair nosing, baseboard, and or quarter round excluded.

Prefinished Floors

Nearly all major prefinished flooring manufacturers provide color coordinated trim moldings. Some may not manufacturer their own, but passing off their needs to a company that specializes in trim moldings only. The illustrations below are provided by Artistic Finishes whose products can only be obtained through flooring dealers.

1		Name: T-Molding General Uses: The molding is used mostly between tiled surfaces and wood floors. Also used for connecting to existing wood floors General Measurements: Width: 2" Height: 5/8" Lengths: 78 inches
2		Name: Reducer, One Sided Reducer, Flush Reducer General Uses: Used mostly with floor coverings of lower vertical heights such as vinyl, or concrete. Sometimes used around fireplaces and other fixed objects while becoming more of a design aspect than anything. General Measurements: Width: 2" Height: will vary with thickness of flooring. Lengths: 78 inches
3		Name: Overlap Reducer General Uses: Used mostly with floating floors to other floor coverings with lower vertical heights. Also used to transition carpet and floating floors. General Measurements: Width: 2 1/4" Height: will vary with thickness of flooring. Lengths: 78 inches
4		Name: Bi-level Reducer General Uses: Used for transitioning solid 3/4" hardwood floors to lower vertical heights such as ceramic tile. Can also be used with carpeting. General Measurements: Width: 2 1/4" Height: 3/4" Lengths: 78 inches
5		Name: Baby Threshold, Threshold General Uses: Common uses included at sliding door areas where expansion is needed. Can also be used to transition with carpet. General Measurements: Width: 2 1/8" Height: 7/8"- other heights available. Bottom tab varies with thickness. Lengths: 78 inches
6		Name: End Cap, Square Nose General Uses: Similar functions as a baby threshold provides. General Measurements: Width: 1 9/16" Height: 7/8" Lengths: 78 inches
7		Name: Overlap Stair Nosing, Bull Nose General Uses: Used with some floating floors on steps and landing areas where expansion area is needed. General Measurements: Width: 3 1/4" Height: 1"- other heights available. Lengths: 78 inches
8		Name: Flush/Square edge Stair Nosing, Bull Nose General Uses: Used for transition when placing plank or strip on stairs, landings, or step downs. General Measurements: Width: 3 1/8" Height: 13/16"- will vary with other floor thicknesses Lengths: 78 inches
9		Name: Quarter Round General Uses: Used against baseboard, toe kicks, and other fixed objects. General Measurements: Width: 3/4" Height: 3/4" Lengths: 84 inches
10		Name: Shoe Molding General Uses: Similar functions as quarter round provides but has a less pronounced appearance. General Measurements: Width: 1/2" Height: 3/4" Lengths: 84 inches
11		Name: Wall Base, Baseboard General Uses: Installed on finished wall where expansion space is needed. General Measurements: Width: 7/16" Height: 3 1/2" Lengths: 84 inches

General Notes

Not all prefinished manufactured products offer all of the trim moldings above. More common trim moldings offered are number 1,2,5, 8, and 9. While most trim moldings are 78 inches in length, some products manufactured outside the USA will

be longer. Additionally, all profile dimensions shown above may vary. This should not to be used as a definitive guide in how much you will actually need.

Few manufacturers produce prefinished stair treads and risers. Often the best alternative is to purchase them unfinished and have them stained and or finished on site. Artistic does offer stair treads and risers, including distressed and hand scraped appearances only suited for 3/4 inch solid flooring.

Custom Moldings

Not happy with the shorter lengths offered by many prefinished manufacturers? Some moldings shown above can be duplicated with the use of a table saw or shaper after one obtains longer material. The only disadvantage is matching the finish should it be stained.

Installers

If you happen to be hunting for a hardwood installer and should visit a job or two, pay close attention to how the hardwood moldings were installed. We're talking about transition areas that may go from hardwood to carpet or the actual quarter round or shoe molding that is installed against the baseboard. There's a lot you can learn about an installer by looking at the finer parts of the job and not just the floor from a distance.

It should be noted, not all baseboard trim is handled by the installer particularly with new home construction. If in doubt seek out the job super and not the one wearing their Sunday best. The latter will probably not have a clue.

Related Site:

• Artistic Finishes

• Installing Quarter Round
• Installing Trim Moldings
• Install Carpet Against Hardwood
• Butting Hardwood To Tile - without thresholds
• Baseboard First Or Floors?
• Caulk Gaps Under Baseboard - without the mess
• Installing Hardwood At Fireplace Hearth
• Hardwood Stair Treads and Risers
• Heating Vents & Covers