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Category Archives: Wood floor installation

Wood floor installation tips and suggestions for the Kansas City area.

Buyer’s Guide: Luxury Vinyl vs Hardwood

November 13, 2020Tips for Homeowners, Wood floor installationsvb_wood_admin

Posted by svb_wood_admin on November 13, 2020

Time to pick a floor for your room and you have your heart set on a hard surface.
Hardwood floors have always appealed to you but the salesman at your local
hardware store says luxury vinyl (commonly known as LVT or LVP) has really
taken off in the flooring sector. Now you have a decision to make, what is the
best option for me? To answer this we must explore your goals for this project
and evaluate your lifestyle:

Common Objectives
● Build my dream home to grow old in
● Remodel my home for a potential sale within the next year
● Investment property for renters
● Refinish my basement to increase living space for a growing family
● Selecting flooring for a vacation home or cabin

Most likely your objective will be a combination of several factors. You should
figure out the most important object and write it down. This will help you focus
on achieving this goal while looking for a floor. Below are the benefits of both
hardwood and luxury vinyl which will give a good overview of an average floor in
each category. Please keep in mind there are specific styles and options in each
category which will outperform the average floor within a certain category.

Hardwood Floors
● Wood floors are perceived as a high-end luxury option in the floor
covering industry

● Best rated comfort of any hard surface with its ability to stay warmer in
the winter and cooler in the summer
● Timeless beauty and style best for retaining the value of high-end
homes
● High lifetime value with its ability to be sanded and refinished up to 5
times
● Increases home value when installed in the kitchen and adjacent open
concept areas

Luxury Vinyl
● Best durability in floor covering, excellent for busy families with pets
and young children
● Lowest maintenance of any hard surface with the ability to withstand
extreme temperature ranges and fluctuations in humidity
● Ease of installation is one thing to consider for DIYers, many vinyl floors
are designed in click lock systems with an attached underlayment
● Lower cost compared to hardwood, this makes it an ideal choice for
investors looking to rent out properties

These outlined benefits should give you an idea of the right floor covering for
your application. Let us go back and evaluate each objective and see which
category we might choose now that we know the benefits of hardwood vs luxury
vinyl.

The Verdict

Build my dream home to grow old in (Hardwood)

● I selected hardwood because of the timeless beauty of real wood and
the enjoyment of comfort

Remodel my home for a potential sale within the next year (Hardwood)
● I selected hardwood for this because of an increase in resale value. This
may depend on the value of your home, studies suggest hardwood
floors may increase the value of your home up to 2.5%.

Investment property for renters (Luxury Vinyl)
● Renters are typically harder on floors and luxury vinyl being the easiest
floor covering to maintain and clean is a great option for these homes

Refinish my basement to increase living space for a growing family (Both)
● This one is a tough one. On the one hand, it is for your family and you
want the most comfort and value in your home. On the other hand,
basements are one of the most likely areas to experience water
damage and luxury vinyl floors are as close to waterproof as flooring
can get. Ultimately you’ll have to decide for yourself if it is worth the
additional investment.

Selecting flooring for a vacation home or cabin (Luxury Vinyl)
● This one goes to luxury vinyl due to the ease of maintenance. Vacation
homes and cabins may be vacant at least 50% of the year and the
structural stability of LVT makes it worry-free even when you are away.

To schedule your consultation today call us or fill out this form to schedule a
Virtual Consultation.

Refinishing Hardwood Floors vs. Replacing Hardwood Floors

October 14, 2020Wood floor installation, Wood floor repairsvb_wood_admin

Posted by svb_wood_admin on October 14, 2020

If your hardwood flooring is worn, it can be tough to decide whether to hire someone to refinish the floors or replace them. Each option offers benefits, and the decision will depend on the circumstances. Here’s what you need to know before deciding.

What Is Floor Refinishing?

Real hardwood flooring can be refinished 4-5 times, depending on the wear layer, to make the surface look like new. The process involves sanding down to raw wood to remove imperfections and markings, leaving the exposed layer looking fresh. Many homeowners refinish floors to mitigate stains and chips, while others want to use a different stain color to update their interior look.

Refinishing vs. Replacing

The condition of the flooring is the most significant factor when choosing to refinish the existing material or install a replacement. If the current planks are salvageable with sanding, refinishing is often the better choice. For flooring that has signs of rot or water damage, it’s best to replace the damaged areas or the entire flooring to promote continuity and longevity.

If you’re looking to improve your interior design, refinishing can bring a shine to the room. However, if you’d like to adjust the wood style or the size of the planks, install an entirely new floor.

Hardwood that is decades old and has already been sanded down many times cannot be refinished without destabilizing the flooring. Thus, take the age of the material into account.

If you’re looking for the quickest option, install new boards, as ripping up the old ones and putting in updated materials will often be faster. Refinishing older wood with many stains, scratches, or areas that need patching may take a week or more, while a new installation often requires just a few hours or days if you select prefinished floors. This also depends on the square footage. If you do install unfinished floors, they will have to be sanded and stained. This process will take longer than a refinish. Always things to take into account when choosing the floors that best fit not just your budget, but your schedule as well.

At SVB Wood Floors, we have been experienced in quality hardwood flooring refinishing since 2003, and having wood floor refinishing done in your home couldn’t be easier. We use a dustless sanding system that allows us to sand your floors, without all of the messy clean-up. Our Bona Atomic DCS system traps dust before it even has time to enter your home. It makes refinishing your Kansas City wood flooring fast, easy and convenient.

12 Critical Questions to Ask before You Hire a Hardwood Flooring Contractor

June 4, 2020Tips for Homeowners, Uncategorized, Wood floor installation, Wood Floor Maintenance, Wood floor repairNicole Ventura

Posted by Nicole Ventura on June 4, 2020

At SVB Wood Floors, we know that hiring the right contractor is critical in getting the home of your dreams. So what exactly should you look for in a hardwood floor contractor? The experts at SVB Wood Floors have created this checklist to help you make the most informed decision. Make sure to ask these 15 questions before you hire any hardwood flooring company:

1. Does the Contractor Have a Proper Business Liability Policy in Place?

Any legitimate wood flooring contractor should have a liability policy in place. SVB Wood Floor Service, Inc. carries a 2 million dollar general liability policy. We do not have any claims in our company history and a copy of this policy is also available upon request. We also maintain an active workers’ compensation policy and have had no claims in our company history. This policy is also available upon request.

2. Does the Contractor Use Subcontractors? If So, Do They Have Proper Insurance Policies?

Hiring a company that uses subcontractors means you may be unsure of their qualifications. At SVB Wood Floors, we don’t subcontract our work. All of our trusted technicians are in-house, uniformed personnel. Each crew has an assigned crew leader, who has been through multiple years of training, before being placed into this lead position.

3. Is the Contractor a Member of the NWFA (National Wood Flooring Association)?

The SVB team currently holds multiple certifications with the NWFA for installation, sanding and finishing, sales advising, environmental awareness, and craftsman degrees. Additionally, SVB’s owner, Steve Brattin, is a NWFA board member and holds positions on NWFA committees.

4. What Industry Technical Training and Accreditation Have They Received?

In an industry that is constantly making advancements, it’s important to choose a contractor who values keeping up with the latest certifications and accreditations. SVB and its employees are certified with the Bona Certified Craftsman Program. Installation, sanding/finishing techniques, and skills are updated at annual Surfaces, Bona BCCP and NWFA conventions, along with other training classes offered throughout the year by these organizations.

5. What Kind of Warranty Does the Contractor Offer?

Hardwood flooring is a big investment, so make sure you choose a contractor who’s got your back. We offer a warranty for the period of one year for the materials and workmanship we supply. A copy of this warranty is available upon request.

6. Does the Contractor Offer Customer Care for the Life of Your Floor?

Sure, a contractor can get the job done, but are they qualified to maintain your floors beyond installation? SVB offers the following methods of care for the life of your floor.

7. Where Does the Contractor Obtain the Flooring Materials? What Steps Are Followed to Ensure the Flooring Is Acclimated Properly to Our Region?

Get to the source of your wood floors. It’s important that contractors know where materials come from and know how to properly acclimate them to our region. SVB obtains all of its materials from reputable mills and wholesalers who kiln dry and warehouse the product to meet the demands of the MO & KS climates. All wood flooring received by SVB is dated upon arrival and checked for proper moisture readings. The material is then stored in our warehouse to ensure it has been acclimated to the Midwest region and is ready for installation.

8. What Process Is Used for Dust Mitigation?

Nobody wants the stress of a dusty mess once your wood floors have been installed, which is why SVB uses a state-of-the-art dust extraction system which evacuates the dust from your home to our trailer-mounted Bona containment system.

These units are very powerful and generate 99.8% less dust than traditional methods, which makes the process much more convenient. Plus, with this state-of-the-art system, there is no need for sealing off doorways and you won’t be left cleaning dust particles for months to come.

9. Is the Exact Type of Stain and Finish Specified on the Estimate?

It’s important to have options, but even more important to have the highest quality options. SVB specifies the exact type of finishes available on all projects. All finishes are not created equal, and SVB only uses the best on the market, which is included in our price.

10. Is the Moisture Content of the Materials and Relative Humidity of the Environment Logged and Monitored as Set Forth by the NWFA Guidelines?

SVB logs and monitors the moisture content of the wood when it is delivered and verifies that the materials are acclimated properly for your job site before installation begins. SVB also logs and monitors the relative humidity of your job site.

11. Is the Contractor Willing to Compromise Acclimation to Accommodate Your Schedule?

Acclimation is a critical step in the process of installing hardwood floors. It lessens the chances of gapping and other problems down the road. While we do everything possible to meet our clients’ demands and deadlines, we will never compromise the acclimation process as it is a necessary step in the process and should not be skipped.

12. Does the Contractor Provide You with Cleaning Products and Cleaning Care Instructions?

SVB will provide you with a complete Bona Floor cleaning kit and care instructions at the end of your project. Also, we sell a variety of Bona cleaning and maintenance products and services to keep your floors looking their best for years to come. Each floor completed by SVB is registered and certified with the Bona Certified Craftsman Program.

Make sure you do your homework before hiring a hardwood floor company to repair, refinish, or install your hardwood floors. Give us a call at (816) 965-8655 or schedule an appointment online today!

The 3 Most Surprising Places Hardwood is Replacing Tile

March 19, 2020Wood floor installationSteve Brattin

Posted by Steve Brattin on March 19, 2020

Hardwood Floor replaced tile in their kitchen

Without a doubt, hardwood floors are both beautiful and becoming more and more popular. What most don’t know is that these hardwood floors are replacing tile inside homes all around the nation. As time passes, wood floors are becoming more incorporated into every room of the house. This can be seen in many home decor magazines as well as online websites including Pinterest and Houzz. So what rooms are transitioning into hardwood flooring?

Hardwood Floors in the Kitchen

By far one of the most popular living areas inside your home, the kitchen has seen the most crossover into hardwood flooring. Hardwood floors are both warmer and easier on your feet. If you think this won’t matter, just keep in mind who will be standing for hours cooking and washing dishes…Wood floors are universally accepted, which isn’t the case for tile. After years pass, if you are unhappy with the look of it, you can refinish your hardwood floors or just give it a different color. Unfortunately, when dealing with tile, your only option is to replace it. This is a costly option.

A few more reasons why wood floors are better than tile:

Wood floors are easy to clean
No grout needs to get stained
They last longer than any other kind of flooring

Keep in mind, if your hardwood floor ever begins to look worn, they can be refinished many times.

Hardwood Makes an Entrance

One of the most popular places hardwood is replacing tile is the entryway. This hardwood often makes your entryways look larger as well as provide a warmer feel when you enter a home.

Powder Rooms are Beginning to get Hardwood Floors

Powder rooms, also known as bathrooms without showers or bathtubs, are also joining the wood movement. For many homeowners, these powder rooms are beginning to shift to hardwood so they can match the rest of the first floor. If you had to pick between bathrooms to change, we recommend one that doesn’t have a tub because it is more likely to get wet whenever the tub is used. Water and wood can cause some problems if not treated properly and timely, which can lead to the need for hardwood flooring services in Lee’s Summit, Overland Park, KS and throughout the Kansas City metro area.

If you think it’s time to change one of your living areas over to hardwood, give the hardwood floor experts a call at (816)396-6769 or schedule an appointment online!

Give Your Home European Charm with Wire-Brushed Wood Floors

May 20, 2019Wood floor installationSteve Brattin

Posted by Steve Brattin on May 20, 2019

Ever notice how a house with hardwood floors makes a space feel instantly classy and elegant? There’s a new trend in wood floors that takes that look a step further. It’s wire-brushed wood floors. Wire brushed wood floors are floors that have been brushed with stiff wire to remove the soft wood from the grain revealing the heartwood. The look is more rustic and the process actually produces a stronger piece of wood.

3 Reasons Wire-Brushed Floors Are So Popular:

They Are Durable & Safe
Because the softer wood is brushed away, leaving hardwood only, wire-brushed floors have a rougher, earthier feel and can handle all of life’s wear and tear. This extra texture even makes the surface less slippery.
They Are Animal & Kid Friendly
If your dream of having hardwood floors dissipates when you realize you love your pets more, there’s good news! Unlike other “elegant” items in your home, wire-brushed floors hold up well under daily wear and tear. They are ideal for animal-lovers, party-throwers, or young families.
They Have Timeless Charm
Reclaimed, distressed, and hand-scraped wood floors are just a few of the styles that are popping up in homes everywhere. If you admire the rough, earthier look, but your home’s style isn’t quite that rustic, wire-brushed floors may be the perfect combination of bold yet classy. Wire-brushed floors provide just a touch of rustic appeal, yet exude a timeless elegance that will make your home feel warm and sophisticated.

Whether you’re a long-time homeowner or looking to buy a new abode, nothing says “European charm” more than a wire-brushed hardwood floor. Come into our showroom to see many more wood floors, displayed gallery style, to give you a real idea of how it will look in your home.

For a beautiful hardwood floor, call SVB Wood Floors at (816) 965-8655 or contact us online to schedule your free, in-home consultation.

Getting Wood Floors Installed – Here’s What Happens in 4 Easy Steps

April 23, 2019Tips for Homeowners, Wood floor installationNicole Ventura

Posted by Nicole Ventura on April 23, 2019

You may be considering hardwood floors for their beauty, their low maintenance, their allergy-friendliness or the value they add to your home. Whatever the reason, at SVB Wood Floors, we’ve been installing beautiful hardwood floors for decades and we’ve got it down to a science. We have found that when homeowners are familiar with the process, everything goes a little more smoothly, and we end up with happier customers, so here’s what you can expect when we install wood floors within your home in Lee’s Summit, Overland Park or the KC metro area.

Step 1: Free Wood Floor Consultation

You’ll notice our entire process starts with the most important thing – a free, in-home consultation. It’s important because we want to make sure we are on the same page with our customers to ensure that we deliver exactly what they want. Because there are so many choices when it comes to hardwood floors, we want to make sure you know all of your options so you can make an informed decision down to the smallest detail.

We Create Custom Colors and Designs for Your Wood Floor

We offer many different types of wood floors – different species, plank widths, stain colors, patterns, etc. You can check out flooring samples from our showroom so you can see them in your home with your cabinets, other flooring, etc. to make sure that it will blend with your home. We can even custom mix stain to give you exactly the shade you want. If you’d like to make your floors unique to your home, our expert installers can create any kind of custom wood floor design you can dream up. We can add beautiful inlays, intricate medallions, decorative borders, and more.

Step 2: Room Preparation

The only thing you need to do before the installation is to prepare the room(s) getting new floors by removing as much as possible. To minimize the risk of any of your furnishings getting bumped or broken during the installation process, we require that you remove the furniture, drapery, and anything hanging on the walls. We will let you know when to expect us so you’ll have time to get ready.

Step 3: Hardwood Floor Installation

This is the most disruptive part of the process. Expect some noise and traffic in your home as our crew installs the planks. We make sure the wood planks we are installing have been acclimated in our temperature controlled warehouse so they fit perfectly.

Once the planks are in place, they are sanded for smoothness. Our BONA dustless sanding system removes the dust while we sand. With dustless sanding, the dust is whisked away to an outside container before it has a chance to spread all over your home. The great thing about our dustless sanding process is that it is very convenient and leaves virtually no mess in your home.

Step 4: Staining and Finishing Your Hardwood Floors

Our multi-step staining & wood floor refinishing process ensures a fabulous final product. We carefully apply the stain which really brings out your floor’s personality. When the stain is dry, we finish the floor with several coats of an environmentally safe, durable, and quick-drying topcoat. You can choose from low luster to high gloss or anywhere in between. We screen, buff, and vacuum between refinishing coats for the absolute best results possible. You can walk on your new floor (with stocking feet) two to three hours after the finish is applied. No pets for 48 hours or furniture for 7-10 days (until the floor is fully cured).

2 Other Things to Consider before Having Wood Floors Installed

If you’re thinking of enhancing your home with wood floors, some options you may not have even thought about yet:

Solid or Engineered Hardwood Floors?

Solid:

Hardwood floors are made from a solid piece of wood from top to bottom and end to end. Engineered hardwood floors are created by stacking multiple layers of wood together in various directions and binding them into a solid form with heat and pressure. A thinner hardwood veneer is glued on top. Both wear evenly (since both are solid hardwood on top) and some of today’s engineered planks have a deep enough wear layer to allow them to be sanded and refinished like a solid hardwood floor.

Engineered:

The main advantage of engineered hardwood is its strength and stability, especially when exposed to moisture. Solid wood will warp along natural grain lines when exposed to excessive moisture. Engineered wood does not contain natural lines and therefore won’t be be as prone to warping or bending. Engineered hardwood floors (both unfinished and prefinished) are best used in lower levels and areas where moisture or humidity might be present.

Prefinished or Unfinished Wood Floors?

Both have advantages. It depends on what you’re looking for.

Prefinished:

Prefinished has a more durable finish because it is created in a controlled environment in a factory. You will also know exactly what color and finish your floors will have before the installation. With prefinished planks, you have no fumes, less mess, and a shorter wait time to walk on your new floor. Prefinished floors are more tolerant to humidity changes.

Unfinished:

Unfinished may work best if you are repairing or expanding an existing wood floor and want to “lace-in” or seamlessly match the existing floor or if you want to match cabinets or trim because the color isn’t pre-determined. Also, if you are looking for an unusual wood species or width, it may not be available in prefinished. Lastly, you may not like the beveled edges that accompany prefinished planks, so unfinished would be best for you.

Our wood floor installers are experts in the industry. In fact, we’ve won many local and even a national award for our wood floor designs and installations. For our installers, it’s not just a job, it’s an art form.

If you’re thinking of installing hardwood floors in your Kansas City area home, call us for a free in-home consultation. We’ll help you choose the wood floor with the perfect color, style, and price range for you. Don’t wait. A beautiful new hardwood floor can be yours usually within a couple of weeks. Call us today at (816) 944-3150.

Refinishing Wood Floors – Go Dustless and Stay Home!

March 12, 2019Wood floor installationSteve Brattin

Posted by Steve Brattin on March 12, 2019

If you’ve been putting off refinishing your hardwood floors because you just can’t face the hassle, help is on the way. SVB Wood Floors, Kansas City’s premier flooring company and a National Wood Floor Association winner, has a state-of-the-art dustless floor refinishing system in Kansas City that does the job in just a few days – and you don’t have to move out.

The Dustless Refinishing Process

Until now, the worst part about refinishing floors was the dust – no matter how much you taped ducts, took down window treatments, and tried to seal your cabinets, the dust that the sanders kicked up just took up residence in your house and settled for what seemed like months. No more.

The Atomic Dust Containment System, by BONA (you’ve seen their cleaning products in stores), really does mitigate the sanding dust so much that you and your pets can stay in the house during the process. The BONA system traps dust particles and immediately sucks them out to a containment system in the truck. This technology is a lot healthier for everybody, primarily because there is no stress on the respiratory systems of the technicians and the homeowners. If asthma or other respiratory concerns have stopped you from having your floors redone, the BONA system reduces airborne dust by 99.8% – the only dust left in your home is what’s already there. Plus, since there aren’t any microscopic dust particles floating down from the ceiling vents, the new finish is as smooth as glass – no more tiny granular spots are sealed into the finish.

BONA Dustless System Is Quicker and Easier

Before, when you refinished your floors the old-fashioned way, you almost had to completely move out of the house for a few days – especially if you have a larger home and were doing all the floors. The BONA system is ultimately a more cost-effective way to refinish your floors – no storage, hotels, or pet boarding to factor into the overall cost.

SVB Wood Floors invites you to contact us for a consultation on how the BONA Dustless process can restore your floors to their former sheen and shine. The consultation is free, and you’ll be glad you did.

Yes! We Install Hardwood Floors in the Winter

January 21, 2019Wood floor installationSteve Brattin

Posted by Steve Brattin on January 21, 2019

During the winter months, we tend to spend more time indoors. Especially in Kansas City where it snows and we face cold, gray days. As we have more days inside our homes, we start to notice aspects of our house that we want to update. One of those projects that you may want to undertake during the winter is installing new wood floors. At SVB Wood Floors, we do plenty of installations during the winter months. There’s no reason to wait till spring.

Moisture Levels Affect Wood Floor Installation

Don’t let just anyone install your wood floor. Moisture and humidity can be one of the biggest challenges that wood floor installers face. When there is moisture in the air, wood planks will swell. As the air in your house gets warmer, it becomes dry. This leads to dry air in the home and changes in the wood boards. The dry air will make the planks shrink and could leave visible gaps between floorboards. During the winter months, we tend to have our heaters running to keep us warm. That’s why our installers check the humidity levels in your home and regulate them. They will be sure to have the correct moisture level inside your home to prevent the boards from shrinking.

Advantages to Installing in the Winter

Since moisture can cause problems for your wood floors, winter and the dry conditions in your home are ideal for wood floor installation. The air in your home will be dry during the winter months, so there is no need to worry about any moisture being trapped under your new wood floors. Plus, winter months are typically slower for us which means that we are able to get your job done quicker than if you waited for warmer weather.

Winter is a great time for new floors! Call SVB Wood Floors at (816) 965-8655 today or contact us online to schedule your free, in-home consultation.

Drop-In vs. Flush-Mount – Let the Venting Begin

December 18, 2018Tips for Homeowners, Wood floor installationfloorSteve Brattin

Posted by Steve Brattin on December 18, 2018

Installing and refinishing wood floors involves a few detail-oriented decisions. One of those decisions is the kind of floor vents you want. Most homeowners haven’t given much thought to their floor vents, but you basically have two choices. To get you started thinking about which you might like, the experts at SVB Wood Floors have some facts about drop-in versus flush-mount wood floor vents.

Consider Floor Vents before Installation Is Done

Deciding which type of vent you’d like is one of those details that you’ll want to consider from the start. That’s because it’s much easier better to install them during the design process rather than trying to fit them in afterward. Fortunately, our free in-home consultation will cover all aspects of your floor design – including vent options.

Drop-In or Self-Rimming Vents

These vents have a slight rim all around the edge. That rim fits neatly over the cut edges of your floorboards. Unlike flush-mount vents, these can be installed with ease and at any time during the installation process, and even afterward.

Pros of Drop-In Vents

These are very easy to install because they literally just ‘drop’ into the floor opening. They’re generally also a less expensive option than flush-mount vents.

If you decide on this familiar style, we can install them for you or you can choose to do it yourself later. In either case, we can stain them to match your beautiful new flooring.

Cons of Drop-In Vents

The raised rim of these vents sometimes gets in the way of furniture placement or floor traffic. As small as that rim is, it can topple toddlers who aren’t steady on their feet yet!

It’s particularly important to keep the area around the rim of these vents free of damaging grit. Grit has a tendency to gravitate towards them – especially when you’re sweeping. It’s a good idea to vacuum around each vent after you’ve swept in order to keep them free of that grit.

Flush-Mount or In-Floor Vents

These vents mount flush with your floor so there is no rim. It’s much easier (and less expensive) to install these along with your new flooring. You can have these installed retroactively, but you’ll need to hire an expert. This is definitely not a project for the average DIYer!

Pros of Flush-Mount Vents

These vents fit smoothly and seamlessly into your new floor. Your new hardwood floor takes more of the spotlight when the vents are inconspicuous.

Since they sit flush, they won’t negatively influence furniture placement or traffic patterns. No more wobbly side tables or tripping toddlers!

Cleaning is easier without that grit-trapping and vacuum or broom-deflecting lip.

Cons of Flush-Mount Vents

These are difficult and expensive to retrofit. That means they’re difficult to change later on, too.

Fitting them in after the fact requires a careful layout and precision cuts. It’s also a bit nerve-wracking watching holes being cut in your beautiful new floors!

Even when installed along with the flooring, these are generally more expensive than drop-in vents.

Can’t Decide? Let Us Be Your Guide!

Our family-owned company is committed to providing you with the quality results you deserve. Whether your job is large or small, we want to give you the kind of high-quality, professional service that helped us win the award for the 2016 Wood Floor of the Year from the National Wood Flooring Association. That includes paying attention to every detail – including the vents!

Base Shoe or Quarter Round – What’s the Difference?

December 10, 2018Tips for Homeowners, Wood floor installationinstallNicole Ventura

Posted by Nicole Ventura on December 10, 2018

When we refinish or install a hardwood floor, we replace the baseboard molding. Baseboard molding installations are finished off with a small piece of molding that covers the gap between the bottom of the baseboards and the floor. There are two types of molding that can be used – base shoe or quarter round. So what’s the difference?

Both Types of Molding Are Very Similar

Base shoe and quarter round are almost identical. In some situations, they can be used interchangeably, but they both have their own specific uses as well.

Quarter round (shown in two sizes in the picture on the left and the right) is exactly as its name implies, one quarter of a round dowel. It has a 90° angle on the backside with a perfect quarter radius on the side that shows. The quarter round comes in a variety of sizes, which makes it versatile enough for a wide range of applications, as well as an ideal solution for eliminating the gap between trim and moldings and to fill corners.

Base shoe also has a 90-degree angle on the backside, but the front of base shoe is slightly more square and does not follow the radius of a circle like the quarter round does.

Does the Base Shoe Need to Be Removed before Refinishing or Installing a Wood Floor?

Yes, it should. There are a couple of reasons why you should remove the base shoe before installing a new floor. It is most likely that the existing base shoe molding has been in place for quite some time, so it may be dented or damaged in places. Plus it probably has several layers of paint on it from over the years. More importantly, however, removing the base shoe will allow you to butt the new flooring up to the wall. If we are refinishing a floor, and the base shoe is left in place, it will prevent us from getting the sander along the edge of the existing floor.

Should the Base Shoe Match the Trim Color or the Floor Color?

This is really a matter of preference. Traditionally speaking, the base shoe color should match the trim color, however, the choice is ultimately up to the homeowner. We suggest matching with your trim color to add contrast and emphasize the beautiful stain color of your hardwood floors.

Do I Really Need Baseboard Molding?

One of the most common questions people ask is if they really need the base shoe, or if it’s just an add on. The answer is a simple yes. Without it, there is typically a gap between the trim and flooring, which is not only unattractive but makes it extremely easy for dirt and debris to build up under the base trim. At SVB, we give you your choice – you can remove the existing shoe base on your own, purchase pre-primed replacements from SVB, stain it, and install it yourself. Or you can leave this tedious task up to us. We will remove the existing shoe base, and stain and install the new base shoe.

If you are considering refinishing, replacing or installing a new wood floor, call us at (816) 965-8655 or contact us online to schedule a free, in-home consultation.

Kansas City’s Custom Hardwood Flooring Specialists