I've always heard it called shoe molding, am I correct in thinking the same thing?

My husband wants white shoe moulding on our brazilian cherry floors. I'm thinking this is going to look awful and really can't imagine it anyway. I always thought you matched up your wood for this. Has anyone here heard of putting white molding on such a dark floor?

In my opinion, the shoe molding or ¼ round, should be the same as your baseboards.

Thanks floorguy. Looks like my hubby wins this one since the baseboards are white LOL

I agree with matching the color of the baseboards.

People get shoe mold (base shoe) confused with quarter round. They are not the same animal. Base shoe or "shoe" molding looks much better imo.

Jerry,

I thought shoe and quarter round were the same thing? Care to show some pictures of the two or explain the differences for a newb? Thanks

Quarter round is just a dowel that's been quartered. Shoe molding is not pie shaped like that. I've mainly seen it as a piece of wood that's taller than what it extends outwardly.

Look on page 7 of http://www.fewheaton.com/products/millwork/35614-Mo.pdf

Dup

I've done it both ways and it looks fine either way but I think matching the base looks best. When I had to redo my oak stairs I trimmed it out with oak quarter round because the stringers were old gumwood (and there is no way in hell your finding gumwood quarter round anymore) and it looked okay.

Qtr. round is used more for laminate jobs or floating floors. It's quartered ... 11/16 x 11/16 . Base shoe or shoe is 7/16 wide and 11/16 tall normally. Just a different profile but it lends itself to a nicer finish look imo.

Most of my victims are adamant that the shoe match the flooring.... thats what they grew up with I guess. Matching the base looks better

now I know the difference.

I removed the base trim when I did my nail down install hoping that when I put it back on I will not have to use any base shoe to cover up any change in the gap from the floor to the base trim. We will see. Thanks for the clearification everyone!

This is sort of kinda of related. My installer will be installing primed molding and it will be painted white to match the baseboards. Would it be better to paint the molding before installation? Seems like it would be easier to go back and touch up nail holes where necessary rather than risk getting paint on my shiny new floor. Thanks in advance for your advice.

For us, the paint wipes up pretty easily.

Typically I install baseboard and shoe during the weekend daytimes and my wife then goes and paints during the weekday evenings. Pain on the floor hasn't really been a problem.

I guess it's either or, but my preference is to get the paint on them first.... then caulk, putty and touch up.

I would think that would be the less painful way to go. But, my wife is just happy to see me put it down period and doesn't want me to have any excuses not to do the job. Efficiency-wise (and back pain-wise) I think it's better to paint first.

If you slop the paint on, and there are runs on the back and bottom of the molding, it can cause squeaks as you walk around the perimeter of the room in places. Also, globs of paint on the ends of the riser board on staircase, will squeak, when fitted tight.