Hi everyone-
New to this board and had a question.

I'm going to be installing a Mirage floating floor (Lock series) in a 17'x14' room.

My initial intent was to remove the baseboard, install the floor and then reinstall baseboard without quarter round. However, Mirage indicates that I need to leave a 1/2" gap for expansion and my base molding is exactly 1/2" thick. This means I will need quarter round no matter what.

So, my question is, should I just leave the baseboard intact (leaving a 1/2" gap between the flooring and baseboard that will be covered with quarter round)?

The baseboard is high enough (5") that I'm not worried about losing height.

Any comments, thoughts or ideas are appreciated.
Thanks.

Well certainly leaving the baseboards in place would be by far the easiest process to follow in this case. It is a matter of esthetics over simplicity that will determine the best way to proceed. Keep in mind that removing and re-installing the baseboards may also make it necessary to re-paint the room as well, if this was not already in the works.
If the baseboard is already set high enough to utilize the space under it for expansion, you may wish to consider a smaller trim in lieu of quarter-round. We quite often use a colonial style doorstop since this is a more contemporary look.

Another option, if you desire the look of "just the baseboards".
Undercut the drywall for the extra required expansion space.

Thanks for the replies. Looks like my wife wants to replace the baseboards too, so I'll be pulling them up.

One final question I had is that Mirage doesn't indicate that I should rip off the tongues of the first boards, but it seems like many other sources say you rip off the tongue of the entire first row. Any reason to keep the tongues intact?

The flooring just came in today. Next step, seeing how flat the concrete slab is. I'm hoping I don't have to do any leveling given the problems I've heard people have the first time they use self-leveling compound, but I'm guessing it is pretty much a given that I will have to.

Have you considered removing the existing base boards and then undercutting the drywall? If you do this then make sure you have sufficient clearance under the drywall as to not bind in anyway the flooring, remember not to go under the drywall but just up to it to allow for the expansion and movement.
After installation of your flooring then install your decorative baseboards...again do not bind the flooring. Possibly raise the baseboard up a small bit and nail. This would also hold true if you were to install quarter round.
florstor

I see someone has given you this suggestion....the best of installations.

Mirage's requirements for expansion are a pain in the ass. I went though that recently.

Use the primer with SLC and push it around to get it in a flat plane, not level

Thanks again everyone. By some miracle, the floor was within the tolerances for flatness specified by Mirage. Flooring went in easily with no problems. Just waiting on the baseboard to be delivered to install and then I will be done (other than painting).

Glad everything went well for you, and hope that you are proud of your workmanship.

Thanks, Dennis. It really is a satisfying project since we spend most of our time in that room.