What is the proper spacing between the base moulding and the concrete floor when installing carpet? Does it depend on the thickness of the carpet and pad?
I'm finishing the basement and am having carpet installed soon. I was planning on waiting to put up base molding until after the carpet was in but the carpet place suggested I put base molding up first. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

The baseboard can be on the floor and let the installer butt the carpet up against it but it makes his job easier if you hold it up about 1/2 to 3/4". He can then tuck the edge of the carpet under the baseboard. Just makes his job easier.

I definitely want to hold it off the floor so the installer can tuck it under the molding but I wasn't sure how much. 1/2" is what I was guessing but I didn't want to just guess and end up with a bad installation.

What I usually do is take a couple of short scrap pieces of base, lay them on the floor under each end as a spacer. Base is usually 11/16" thick, just about right.

Hi Dave:

I think the best job will be determined by the thickness of the carpet chosen... ;) If a thin, commercial-grade carpet then I believe 1/2" space would be fine. If a thick-plush rug well, then 3/4" will be best for that.

You don't want the carpet to end up with a beveled BULGE at the sides so I would recommend choosing the carpet and then ask the supplier what they recommend for spacing. Pop back here and let us know what they said... O.K.?

MARK

Is it a big deal if I just wait to put the base on until after the carpet is in? The carpet is a cut and loop carpet and somewhat thin. The pad is about 3/8" thick. The pad goes inside the tack strip correct?
I'll attach a small drawing to show what I'm talking about.

You are correct about the pad and the tack strip. I don't see why the carpet installer would care if base is not installed. Should make his job even more easy.

Just as an aside. Wife is up removing wall paper in dining room. I went up to get a cup of coffee.


Wife: "Did you put the baseboard in after this wall paper was put up?'
Me: "Yes"
Wife: "Why?"
Me: "To make the papering easier."
Wife: "Well, now I've got to get all the little bity pieces out that stick up"
Me: "Well, you should have used a utility knife and cut it."
Wife: "You didn't tell me that."
Me: "I'm not involved in this project."

They are never happy. She wouldn't be happy if I hung her with a new rope.

;

Harold is right... I see no issues either way.

Only concern for me would be that you don't set the baseboard down so tight on the carpet that it makes removal in the future almost impossible. When I was the rip out boy for a small carpet company I would almost cry when the people would set that baseboard down so tight I had to literally RIP/PULL/TEAR... I've seen this done more times than you would believe!

Otherwise, with loop and pile carpet and a 3/8" pad/tackless strip I'd keep the baseboard at 1/2" off the floor as you suggested at the beginning. Never hurts to confirm with the installer, too!

Good luck!

MARK

Thanks guys. I think I'll just wait to put up the base. The concrete floor is not completely level of course so I'll try to make sure I don't make the base too tight on the high spots but still keep it against the carpet so I don't have gaps.