Hardwood Flooring Molding Types: What's Your Style?

By Ben Nystrom, 03/12/12

If you're a hardwood flooring professional (or hardwood flooring manufacturer), you already know how the right molding can enhance the beauty and style of a well-executed floor. However, if you're a homeowner exploring your options (perhaps your hardwood flooring contractor even referred you to this page!) or someone just getting your feet wet in the business, you may need a quick overview of molding types.

All hardwood flooring needs a bit of space between the edge of the floor and the wall so the floor can expand and contract in changing temperature conditions. Molding conceals this deadspace, while accenting the overall aesthetic appearance of the installation.

Baseboards are significantly taller (1 ½" and up) than they are thick (3/8" to ¾"). They cover the edge of the hardwood flooring installation while protecting the lower portion of the wall from scuff and kick marks.

Quarter-round and base shoe moldings are the most minimal edge-finishes, presenting a cross-section like one-quarter of a circle or oval.

Thresholds and baby thresholds are used to cover the seam between the floors in two rooms, as in a doorway, or to smooth the transition between hardwood flooring and carpet.

T-moldings present a flattened-T shaped cross section, and mask the join between two hard flooring types.

Custom moldings are milled on demand for situations where the hardwood flooring manufacturer's specifications call for an unusual or more challenging installation.

By Ben Nystrom, 03/12/12

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