A recent post here discussed baseboard installation.
I was interested since I am currently replacing
ours in the FR (and eventually other rooms).

The original base was painted with the shoe being
stained the color of the oak floors. I was going to
repeat this with the new basebord.

However, upon investigation (my 3 or 4 trim
books), I noticed that most of the upgraded baseboard
pictured had painted shoe on stained floors.

As I though more about it, I came to the conclusion
that builders probably have the floor installers
put on stained shoe so that the trim guys don't have
to come back to install the painted stuff over the
freshly installed floors. In other words, it's one
of those details that is just convenient/cheaper
(like much of the crap in new construction) since
the wood floors are the last thing installed (around
here anyway).

I know it's not THAT critical and that we will
eventually do what we like - probably going with
painted shoe this time around.

Just thinking out loud...

Lou

"loutent" wrote in message

As I though more about it, I came to the conclusion
that builders probably have the floor installers
put on stained shoe so that the trim guys don't have
to come back to install the painted stuff over the
freshly installed floors. In other words, it's one
of those details that is just convenient/cheaper
(like much of the crap in new construction) since
the wood floors are the last thing installed (around
here anyway).

Traditionally with hardwood floors, the shoe molding is done to match ...
you can certainly do what you want.

But ... it's not because it's "cheaper". Shoe molding that is, or can be,
stained to match hardwood floors is actually more expensive.

It is the paint grade shoe molding that is "cheaper".

That's not to say that it may be more "inexpensive", overall, to have it
installed incidental to the finishing of the hardwood floor just because the
proper stain is already there and being applied.

As a builder, I have the floor contractor do it for one more excellent
reason, and it has nothing to do with "cheap"... if there should be any
space between the edge of the installed floor and the shoe molding, there is
NO doubt who to blame it on, and I can hold therefore his feet to the fire
BEFORE he's fully paid.

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Last update: 10/22/05

On Fri, 28 Oct 2005 11:41:33 -0400, loutent wrote:


The original base was painted with the shoe being
stained the color of the oak floors. I was going to
repeat this with the new basebord.

However, upon investigation (my 3 or 4 trim
books), I noticed that most of the upgraded baseboard
pictured had painted shoe on stained floors.

It's certainley your preference.

99% of the time, the shoe we put down is stained or painted to match
the baseboard and not the floor. Although the shoe is used for
practical purposes, IMO it's an added detail of the baseboard. I
assume our builders agree since they all have it done that way.

BTW, we are always asked/ required g to go back and install the
shoe after the hardwood floors or other flooring materials are
installed.

Mike O.

"Ba r r y" wrote in message
On Fri, 28 Oct 2005 19:49:03 -0500, Mike O. wrote:

99% of the time, the shoe we put down is stained or painted to match
the baseboard and not the floor. Although the shoe is used for
practical purposes, IMO it's an added detail of the baseboard. I
assume our builders agree since they all have it done that way.

Same here, but I wondered if it was a regional thing in Swing's area.

Depends upon the floor type ... I was very specific in my discussion
relating to "hardwood" floors since that was what the OP mentioned.

IME, it is rare to see anything but stained shoe molding with a stained
hardwood floor (witness the OP indicating same with his original shoe
molding). If you do otherwise around here in a spec house in the hardwood
floor areas you will most often be asked to rip it out at some point.

But then times have changed and folks are doing all sorts of weird things to
houses, and now a days many don't know the difference. It's all Frank Lloyd
Wright's fault ...

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www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 10/22/05