As you may already know, molding helps to transition from the floor to the wall in a way that is nice and neat, but molding has other purposes as well. While it isn’t the main reason to get molding, molding can actually help to keep your floors cleaner.
It provides a natural slope that you can use when mopping or sweeping your floors instead of a cutoff that will collect dust and debris.
Molding is also a way to add a little personality to your home. You can do something a little creative, add a pop of color, or simply ensure that everything is classic and clean. Your floors set the tone for your home, and this is just another way to personalize everything.
If you don’t have hardwood flooring, molding can help to hide the ends of carpeting or tiles that can get jagged over time, and it can even prevent the ends from curling that makes the floor look older and unkempt.
So, let’s explore all the ways hardwood floor molding can save the day!
How To Customize Your Molding
Hardwood floor molding offers a great way to customize your flooring. You can paint the molding to match your walls to make your room look a little taller, or you can stain your molding to match your floors to make the room look bigger. It is all up to you and what your personal tastes are.
Some people will stain their moldings a slightly different color from their flooring, or they will even paint their flooring a different color for a bit of a pop.
You can even use different molding in different rooms. It’s a great way to give each room a slightly different feel, even if you are using the same type of hardwood flooring.
How To Install Hardwood Molding
Every type of hardwood flooring will have different installation steps, so it is best to consult the packaging or an expert. However, we do have some basic hardwood molding installation tips that can help you get the best results if you are going the DIY route with your flooring.
To get the best results, follow these tips:
- Keep your moldings in the room they are going to be installed in for at least 48 hours before you install them, so they can acclimate to the humidity levels.
- Use nails or fasteners to install your moldings.
- Most moldings come with pre-drilled holes to avoid splitting but if yours do not, be careful and slow when you make these holes.
- The best tool to use when you are cutting your hardwood molding is a motorized miter saw.
- You will most likely use the preset adjustments for basic miter cuts at 22.5°, 45°, and 90°.
- To make any last-minute adjustments or finishing cuts, use a carbide-tipped blade.
- Be sure to leave at least a little room for the natural expansion and contraction of the flooring and the molding.
- Don’t drive your nails at downward angles.
- Use a mallet with light but firm pressure.
- Miter your cuts whenever possible instead of joining two pieces of molding together.
How To Pick Hardwood Floor Molding
When you are picking hardwood floor molding, there are a few different things that you want to think about before you make a purchase:
Location
Where is your molding going to go? It is important to consider the room your molding is going to go in. One material or style that works in a bedroom or living area may not be the best option for a kitchen.
Size
Of course, there are “rules” for molding within the interior design and flooring companies, but you can do whatever you want in terms of sizing. Still, most people aim to keep their baseboard trim between three and five inches for a standard room. If your home has extremely high ceilings, you can go with a taller molding.
Doors
Many people love the open floor plan look and feel, so they want to run flooring right through a doorway. In many situations, transition flooring is actually a better option. This is because you’ll get a better look and feel for your doors. If you are using floating flooring, you must use transition molding.
Fixed Objects
Homes aren’t always perfect, and there are sometimes fixed objects like pipes, vents, cabinets, and more blocking the molding’s direct path. You want to leave at least ⅜” expansion gap around any fixed object and then use pipe rings, moldings, or vents to conceal those gaps.
Hearths
Fireplaces are beautiful and make for great interior design, but they can be hard to use moldings around. The best way is to trim out the area of the hearth itself for the best fit.
Your Molding, Your Way
When it comes to hardwood floor molding, it’s all about personal preference and how you want the aesthetics in your home to flow. You can stay consistent throughout your home or switch it up for added personality and flair in every room.
The choice is yours! So, explore the wonderful world of molding and all it has to offer before selecting the floor moldings that work the best with your home and complement your beautiful hardwood floors.
Sources:
What You Need to Know About Baseboards: Remodeling 101 | Remodelista
