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Flooring Design Dilemma

Floor tile - baseboard: Caulk or quarter round?

5 years ago

This floor tile in our Florida house was installed DIY by the previous owner. As you can see from the closeup, the gap between tile and baseboard was not finished off. Our painter is coming next week to paint walls and trim and he recommends that they caulk and paint the baseboard/tile area throughout, e. .g, living room, dining area, office, and hall. Our tile guy, who was here for a different job, gave his opinion and said no way, don't caulk because the tile needs to be able to expand and contract and caulk will prevent that. He recommends simply finishing it off with quarter round. Who is right?

Featured Answer

ci_lantro

5 years ago

I detest shoe mold and really, really hate quarter round. So, with a not that bad of gap like yours, I would choose to live with the gap.

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Comments (10)

PRO
Skippack Tile & Stone
5 years ago
Tile does not expand; did he perhaps mean the baseboard?
mimola thanked Skippack Tile & Stone
mimola
Original Author
5 years ago
I thought he said it 's the tile that expands, but I could have misunderstood. Either way, do you know of any reason why it would be inadvisable to caulk? Thanks!
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Appreciate the responses. Do I need to worry about adequate expansion room for the new hardwood if I don't remove the existing baseboards and just use shoe molding? We had the house built 20 years ago and the hardwood and carpets were installed underneath the 4.5 inch baseboards. I really don't care to lose a portion of the height of my baseboards by using quarter round or shoe molding. This would result in a "mismatched" look when compared to the baseboards in my other rooms. My preference is to have the baseboards removed prior to the new floor installation. I just have to decide if it makes more sense to try to preserve the original baseboards for re-installation or have new baseboards installed and painted. Here are some pics of the trim and baseboards in the 2 rooms that will have hardwood installed. Both rooms were recently painted, but I don't mind repainting baseboards as long as I get the best quality installation of the new floors and baseboards that look like these again when done. Dining Room Great Room
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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!
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In wet areas (splash areas in kitchen, baths, etc) the use of caulk is required where tile meets a perpendicular surface. It can be hidden with the use of shoe molding or quarter round to keep the look "continuous". Many tile setters will caulk the entire perimeter of a tiled floor regardless of setting. And then the homeowner decides if they want it 'hidden' by molding.
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It’s a distressed floor and isn’t a smooth flat surface so I expect there will be gaps. Nothing is perfect but I prefer no shoe. I read the pros and cons of a micro thin caulk and have talked to others who say it’s a good alternative.
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PRO
Dragonfly Tile & Stone Works, Inc.
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
The tile guy is correct in that the floors and walls can move and the caulk won't hold up. Use a shoe molding of a profile that works with your base which will bend and conform (to some extent) to your floor. Definitely Do Not let painters caulk.
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mimola thanked Dragonfly Tile & Stone Works, Inc.
ulisdone
5 years ago
Caulk can be flexible, however it’s a tough job to caulk at the floor. The caulk absolutely needs to be covered with paint, so it is really a tape job to ensure the paint completely covers all the caulk. It caulk is not painted it gets filthy at the floor level, and can not be cleaned.

Shoe works if the tile is level, otherwise it is a very tricky job and obviously will still have gaps at the grout joints.
mimola thanked ulisdone
PRO
Dragonfly Tile & Stone Works, Inc.
5 years ago
In this particular case I would be listening to the tile pro, not the painter. Very hard for homeowners to know who trust, and then the opinions of so many on these forums only complicates that.
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mimola thanked Dragonfly Tile & Stone Works, Inc.
Stacey
5 years ago
Adding a piece of molding there will only draw more attention to the area. I think it looks fine, just needs fresh paint.
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mimola thanked Stacey
Jora
5 years ago
Agree with others....leave as is, with the exception of getting the moulding painted.
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mimola thanked Jora
jon1003
5 years ago
No caulk it will not hold up to all the dirt and floor debris, also the tile guy is right for technical reasons.
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mimola thanked jon1003
User
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
grout caulk, hate quarter round
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