Base shoes are used as a transition between walls and floors, hiding gaps and protecting moldings. They come in various styles and materials, and should be nailed to the wall, not the floor. Pre-cut base shoes are recommended for easier installation.
A base shoe is a type of architectural veneer used along the joint where a wall meets the floor. Base shoes are usually installed over existing base moldings, but can also be used on walls without other moldings present. The basic shoe acts as a transition between these two surfaces and comes in a number of styles and designs to achieve the look you want.
Base shoe trim can hide gaps between the floor and the bottom of the wall or base molding. These voids can be caused by uneven floors or walls, or even floors that settle over time. Base shoes also protect the molding from damage from people’s feet or moving objects. This trim also allows homeowners to dress up a simple wall base or break up the look of a boring base design.
Most people choose basic shoe molding that matches or complements other architectural finishes within the home. For example, if your crown molding has a rounded profile, your baseboard shoe should have a similar look. In homes with elaborate chair rails or baseboards, the base molding can be more intricate or complex. Like most types of trims, the base shoe is often made from wood, although vinyl or composite products are also available. Some buyers may choose aluminum moldings or some other form of metal for a sleek, modern look.
Each corner of the base molding is covered or cut at an angle so the two pieces can be joined more easily. Dealing with this trim at the correct angle is difficult for most novice woodworkers, so it’s often more effective to purchase pre-cut base shoes. Typically, the standard quarter-round trim can be used as the base shoe, although the actual base shoe molding is slightly longer along the wall than along the floor. True base molding comes in many profiles, while quarter-circle trim forms a quarter-circle.
When installing the base shoe, the most important thing to remember is that this molding should be nailed to the wall and never to the floor. If the molding is nailed to the floor, it inhibits the floor’s ability to expand and contract over time. This can lead to cracks or swelling in most hardwood or wood composite floors. Instead, the molding should rest on top of the floor, with the nails driven into the wall at an angle. Most installers use small finish nails when installing base trim rather than standard screws or fasteners.
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