There are a lot of decisions to make when installing a new floor. And one of them is the need to install a Quarter Round. Many people struggle with this, but it actually bottoms down to one simple question, do you really need it? Or do you just like the professional look it gives?
Laminate flooring only needs a Quarter Round when the gaps or imperfections cannot be covered with traditional skirtings. Otherwise, it just gives your room’s Laminate floor base perimeter a finished look.
Quarter round is a common question when it comes to installing laminate flooring. It’s an essential part of the installation process and helps protect your floors from damage.
But this doesn’t really mean you must install it no matter what. Sometimes, you don’t need it. However, sometimes without it, your flooring would look awful.
What is A Quarter Round?
A quarter round is installed atop laminate flooring and at the base of walls to conceal any imperfections and gaps that may exist between them and the panels. So basically, it covers things you want to cover. But if there are no gaps and or no imperfections, a quarter round is not necessary.
In addition, the quarter round is also known for offering some flexibility and making room for the molding to settle on the floor. It can be installed even in cases where the floor is uneven.
Do You Have to Install Quarter Round with Laminate Flooring?
No, you can install laminate flooring without Quarter Round. You usually install a Quarter Round when you can’t cover the gap between the wall and your laminate flooring even after installing the skirtings. Or your skirtings were preinstalled, and you can’t remove them; a Quarter round would be a hassle-free solution.
What Are The Benefits Of A Quarter Round?
Quarter rounds will give the base perimeter of your room a finished look. It comes in a broad range of styles, including modern and traditional. Moreover, its pieces are versatile, meaning you can leave them as it’s or paint them the color you want.
If you want your room to reflect a professional look and complement the laminate floorboards, then a quarter might help you get that look. It can be used in commercial and residential settings as a decorative piece. That is, of course, making sure that the drywall is not touching the floor and you’re using the right type of drywall accordingly to the commercial buildings code.
Are There Any Disadvantages Using A Quarter Round?
On the other hand, homeowners often report that their laminate floorboards started to appear less polished and formal after the installation of a quarter round. In their opinion, adding finishing to laminate panels is a lazy way. Finally, the rounded appearance of this decorative piece does not go well with straight strips of laminate floorboards.
What Size Quarter Round for Laminate Flooring?
The size of a quarter round is typically ¼ of a full and perfect circle. Consequently, this is the size you need for your laminate flooring to give it a professional and finished appearance. If you decide whoever to go for a Shoe Round, these you can typically find between ½” x ¾” and ¾” x ¾” in size.
How To Install Laminate Flooring With Quarter Round?
A quarter round can simply be installed by accurately measuring the laminate floorboards and the walls, finding the right size of a quarter round, and drilling in nails to hold the moldings. If you don’t know where to start, follow the detailed steps below.
- Use a measuring tape to find the accurate size of your wall. Keep in mind that every room has molding lengths of different sizes. Thus, it’s recommended that you don’t just stop with one measurement but take as many as possible.
- Take accurate measurements of the base of every wall. Be sure to start measuring from the left all the way to the right. This will make it easier for you to cut the laminate panels.
- Make sure that the quarter round you’re using matches the laminate planks. You can also choose to get flat white and primed quarter round and then paint it using semi-gloss paint. It will nicely complement the laminate floorboards and cover the caulk-coated nails.
- Quarter round is available in complete pieces, which you can also find in a wide range of lengths. These start from 6ft and can be as big as 12ft. When you mount these to any wall, try to use only one piece at a time. This will ensure that no gaps appear, especially when temperature changes and they contract.
- If your pieces need to be joined together, you must apply adhesive and an accelerator to ensure that the quarter round is tightly sealed before it can be mounted on the wall.
- Next, mount a miter saw on a sturdy and firm platform and let the blade move along the base. Make sure that it goes from left to right so that it evenly trims your quarter round. Typically, it’s suggested that you cut at an angle of 45 degrees. However, if the area of the wall is irregular, feel free to cut at any angle that you believe is correct.
- Keep in mind that if you are trimming from the inside or long corner, set the saw to an angle of 44 degrees. On the other hand, the miter saw needs to be cut from the inside or short corner at an angle of 46 degrees.
- Now, it’s time to move along the quarter-round length and mark the nails’ locations. Use a pencil to mark a spot every 12 inches. Start off by measuring from the edges as you gradually make your way through every piece. This will ensure that your quarter rounds fit just right with the laminate. But remember not to make any marks on the edge of the molding, which may crack due to nails.
- Instead of hammering the nails into the quarter round, bring in a nail gun and a compressor. This will help you get the job done faster, and the end result will be neat. In addition, there will no longer be a need for you to make pilot holes.
- Since the compressor and nail gun are easy to use, you can put in many nails. These need to be 1.25 inches long and 18 gauge. Next, adjust the pressure applied to the nails so that they only penetrate the top a little. Consequently, you will have enough room to apply wood or caulk to the holes.
- Next, you need a caulk gun to fill in the gaps near quarter rounds. Place the gun’s nuzzle right above the quarter round and apply a little caulk. Make sure only to push the trigger lightly. Otherwise, you will end up with more caulk than you wanted.
- Lastly, you need to add caulk right behind your quarter rounds. This can be done simply with your finger. Move it along and fill in any gaps that you feel. Keep in mind that as you do so, the caulk should be concealed and even.
You can check out this video below for further clarity on the instructions.
What Happens If You Don’t Use Quarter Round with Laminate Flooring?
Because installing quarter round to your laminate floorboards is unnecessary, there are no big drawbacks to it. You will indeed be “deprived” of the aesthetic appeal and professional look that comes with the installation of a quarter round. In addition, gaps might be exposed, but you can always cover those with the help of an alternative.
How to Install Laminate Flooring Without Quarter Round?
If you don’t want to use quarter round with laminate floorboards, you can follow the steps below and install the laminate. The installation is for a standard installation. If you wish to know more about L-shaped, H pattern, or Herringbone pattern installation, they all have their own guides.
- Prepare the subfloor
Of course, you will want to ensure that your laminate installation is flawless and proper so that you don’t have to replace it any time soon. Therefore, it falls on you to ensure that the sub-floor is smooth, flat, and clean. If there are any damages on your sub-floor, you need to make sure to deal with them before proceeding with the installation.
- Install an underlayment
Most laminate flooring manufacturers advise that you install a vapor barrier before you can proceed with the floorboards. With laminate panels, a vapor barrier or an underlayment serves as a thermal barrier. It helps with sound insulation and makes it easy for you to step on the floorboards. Moreover, an underlayment can help cover minor gaps and bumps in the floor below.
- Start installing the laminate floorboards.
It’s now time to cut the tongue of the panels with the help of a table saw, sharp utility knife, or circular saw. Start by laying your first row of laminate floorboards along the longest wall. Make sure that the trimmed edges face the wall as you work your way through the room.
What Are the Alternatives For Using Quarter Round With Laminate Flooring?
There are several other kinds of molding that you can use if you don’t want to install quarter round. One of the most common alternatives is shoe molding, which is increasingly popular nowadays.
A thin strip adds a decorative finish to your laminate floors. It’s thinner and smaller in size, as compared to quarter round. Most homeowners often prefer it for the simple fact that it has a narrow and sleek appearance.
Shoe molding can also be purchased in various shapes, including round and curved shapes. It can be styled differently on account of its versatility. As a result, you can easily solve the issue of concealing gaps and covering seams.
Due to the flexibility and thin profile of shoe moldings, they can be bent easily. This is something you will not find with quarter round. Consequently, the alternative can prove to be better when it comes to hiding imperfections.
FAQs
Is Quarter Round Necessary for Laminate Flooring?
Quarter round is not mandatory for laminate flooring and has various alternatives that you can use instead. However, the importance of a quarter round to your space mainly depends on the width of the gap that you need to cover. The manufacturer will inform you of the measurements that you need to account for.
Do You Have to Remove Quarter Round with Laminate Flooring?
You don’t have to remove Quarter Round to install Laminate Flooring. However, it would make the installation much easier if you did. Removing can be done quite easily. All you need are the following tools.
- Utility knife
- Towel
- Hammer
- Nail puller
- Trim puller
Should Quarter Round Match Floor or Baseboard?
Yes, but you don’t have to buy the exact matching color. If you are laying down quarter round on vinyl, stone tile floor, or ceramic, you can paint it to ensure that it matches the baseboard molding color. You will soon find out that the most common trim color is white, meaning you can paint it in whichever color you want or leave it as it is.