QR makes it easier to adjust for, and hide, the fact that floors aren't perfectly level, specially in a remodel project. Much easier to cover the gap with QR than to try to scribe the baseboard to the floors.

It might be regional too. Just looked at old photos and both of my previous houses in the Boston area did not have QR. Current house in CA has them.

It isn't a feature that catches my attention, so not something I notice and it doesn't bother me with or without.

Adding - QR has to match the color of the baseboard and not the floor. It will bother me if it isn't that way!

TOTALLY disagree! QR should match the finish of your floor, not the baseboards. If it's painted, it will quickly chip and look like hell. I've never lived in a house where the QR was painted. The houses I've lived in were built early 1950's (custom), 1920's (probably custom), late 1940's (semi-custom). All had hardwood floors.

Instead of quarter round (i'm not a fan of it either) we had our contractor use a type of door stop added to our baseboards. Shouldn't be too much of an expense to redo, if you're against having the QR.

We had to get a quarter round but only next to the patio door..oh how I hate it.

They also picked the least fortunate color out of the bunch of quarter rounds we brought..the least match lol. And when we suggested they redo it they were very reluctant..:)

Anyway. I just let it slide. Can't fight over every little thing...

Shoe molding is more elegant looking.

I think the trim looks odd when it's the floor color. I never knew that was to hide chipping and scuffs but I still don't like the look.

We do not have quarter round in our new home but I have never seen it match the floor, it seems to always blend into the baseboard being painted or stained the same color.

Images.

Agree with snookums about Shoe Molding. Preferable to QR.

We used shoe molding-same color as floor. Not fans of quarter round.

Another vote for shoe molding.

Shoe molding, too. And whether it matches the trim or the floor seems to be a regional thing. I prefer matching the trim -- otherwise it looks like the floor is sliding up the wall. But some places we've lived, it matched the floor.

Shoe Molding here also in my 1937 Colonial. It matches the baseboard. HATE quarter round-looks tacky to me.

Well, I ALWAYS am learning something new on these forums! All these years, I thought I had quarter round molding and I now realize that I have shoe molding and always have had. Quarter round is far "bulkier" looking - don't like it at all!

Martha, the difference between shoe and quarter round is the size. I like my shoe molding and you're right it does give a finish to the baseboard. I'm thinking the OP doesn't like it at all or if it was replaced with base shoe, she'd be happier. Are you sure yours is quarter round? Base shoe is taller than wider. Think of a round rod cut in quarters is quarter round. Think of an OVAL rod cut in quarters and that's base shoe.

I agree it is to hide imperfections, but it's not that time-consuming to scribe the baseboard to fit the floor. If molding has to be used, I prefer shoe molding and in the color of the baseboard. I've seen it match the floor, but it just looks unfinished to me.

I would like to put a clickable photo here showing the difference between shoe molding and quarter round, but alas, that isn't possible here anymore. So here is a link that shows the difference. Shoe has a much slimmer profile. Shoe molding vs quarter round

If you don't like it, it's not to late to take it out. Just a few hundred holes in the baseboard to fill. lol

Kristi, I like your molding much better than shoe molding, whichever one it is.

It's for sure quarter round. I had not heard of shoe molding until now and I prefer that look. However, I'd really prefer just baseboards with no additional molding. IMO it's just one more thing to collect dust and dirt and needs to be cleaned.

I went ahead and emailed my contractor and asked if we had to have it. We'll see what he says!

Personally I would never use QR or shoe molding that was the color of the floor. I would always paint it the color of the baseboard. To me, it looks like the floor is slightly climbing the wall.

Also I prefer shoe mold.

I have quarter round and it is stained the same asthe floor. I love the way t gives the room a finished look. I dislike the way it prevents you from pushing a table or other furniture up against the wall. There is always at least a one inch gap between the furniture and the wall.

And contractor responded:

The quarter round ( shoe mould) is used for two reasons. To be able to contour with the floor so there is not a huge caulk joint between the floor and base and also to cover the gap where the hardwood ends for expansion to keep it from buckling.

We are using shoe mould.

1/2" x 3/4"

What do you know- I was sure it was quarter round. I'm more pleased it's shoe mold.

It is the color of the trim. I dislike it the color of the flooring.

I would be disappointed to come home to molding if I preferred and thought I had ordered simple baseboards but would be horrified to come home to baseboards that were caulked to the floor. Caulking the floor joint is not a tool of a professional.

snookers, it's not a lack of skill or professionalism, it's about the fact that no house on earth has perfectly square corners or an absolutely level floor, no matter how hard one tries. That is why we use molding - to hide what could not be achieved no matter how hard one tries. The same is true for shims - no kitchen lower cabinets would ever be level without them.

Most stained molding that I have seen never really matches the floors because the wood is different. Much prefer painted to match the baseboards. It's not a big deal to touch it up if you get a ding.

I understand the purpose of molding along the baseboards. I have shoe and like it. But if you are inexperienced and see lots of pictures of plain baseboards, arrange to have them installed and the installer does not mention quarter round or shoe, you're going to be disappointed. Some people go to the expense of having the base scribed to the floor. Options - or what will be done - should be discussed and in writing up front. No surprises!

What I was calling unprofessional was the notion of a 'huge caulk joint'. That is not a professional option. Baseboard gaps are covered with molding not filled with caulk. I would much rather come home to molding than caulk!

Shoe molding does protect the baseboard against show scuffs, some toys, etc.

I would dislike it the color of the flooring too. Ask him to paint it like the baseboard. I have seen one house with the shoe moulding stained, and baseboard painted. They had just bought the house, and not a brand new house. The next time, I visited, the shoe moulding was all painted.

Many carpenters consider the baseboard and shoe mold as two separate pieces. A painter considers it a unified piece, painted same color.

When using stained shoe mold against painted trim, (especially white), it's very difficult to conceal the gap between the two. Hopefully your contractor isn't filling the gap with clear caulk. Unpainted caulk will attract dust and dirt and become a housekeeping nightmare.

Whereas painted base and shoe are caulked together as one piece and painted to give a seamless appearance.

My house has quarter round stained to match the floor. I've always thought it looked odd and would have preferred it was painted to match the baseboard.

Personally I prefer none (like the bottom left pic that Hockeymom84 posted).