How to Fill a Gap Between a Baseboard and Tile Floor
Written by Milan Jara on 22nd Aug 2022
Noticed a gap between your baseboard and floor? We give you various solutions for how to quickly fill the gap between baseboard and tile floor.
If you just bought a new home or are renovating, you may notice tiny gaps around the baseboards and floor. In addition to being unsightly, a gap between your floor and baseboard can become a hot spot for debris, dirt, and insects. In this article, we teach you how to fill this gap.
Why Is This Happening?
These gaps may happen from poor installation or because the home began to settle, making air gaps between the floor and baseboard more common. While some may think a professional caulker is necessary, you can quickly fix the issue yourself.
What Is Between Tile and Baseboards?
Gaps between new tile flooring in a central area, like a kitchen or living room are often not that big a deal. While they don’t do much damage to the home, there are advantages to fixing them to avoid potential problems, like:
- The gaps lack proper insulation. Costs for cooling and heating can go up due to the gap.
- Insects can find a home in these areas. You cannot effectively get rid of them until you close the gap.
- Aesthetically, the gaps can look undesirable, and the home's value may decrease if you want to sell.
Fixing Large Gaps
If the gap is considerable, fixing it may feel like a monumental job, but you can quickly repair it using basic DIY skills. Easy fixes for this issue are provided below:
- Shoe Molding. If your gap is very high, you can use shoe molding. When adding this I-shaped trim, ensure it is the proper size. Strips that are too short will not completely cover the gaps. Cut and nail the molding to the wall, then paint it to match walls or baseboards.
- Quarter Round Molding. This molding is probably the most common method and is frequently taught to fill gaps below existing baseboards. Add the quarter-round molding to the front of the gap to fill it and provide extra detail to the molding. You will not need to replace the existing base with this method.
Cut the proper length using a miter saw, then finish it and nail it to your baseboard. Fix any unsightly holes using wood putty, then stain or paint the molding to match your room.
Eighth rounds are too tiny to nail for significant gaps, but you can attach them using strong glue if you want a more refined appearance.
- Window or Door Stops. If the gap is significant, quarter round molding may not fill it, and while shoe molding is taller, it uses the same type of installation. Using window or door stops to conceal the gap is an effective alternative. Glue or nail it to the baseboard as you would with a quarter round.
- Trim Strips. These sticky silicone strips are suitable for filling holes in older homes. They protect the baseboards from caulk and paint damage, and the adhesive backing covers the gaps. Apply them to a clean area around the gap where they will fit between your flooring and baseboard, producing an airtight seal.
Filling Gaps Between Tile and Wood
Caulk is the best thing to use with ¼” gaps. If you use them between tiles and baseboard, do not use sanded grout. Sanded grout doesn’t have enough elasticity and can crack easily. It also attracts dirt, making it difficult to clean.
Here are the supplies you need for this method:
- Caulk gun
- Latex caulk
- Blue tape
- Trim paint
- Caulking tool
Steps to Caulking
Waterproof caulk generates a flexible and robust bond between tiles and baseboards. Since you may be painting it the color of your trim, you should use a caulk that you can paint. Silicone caulk will peel, and the paint will flake or peel off.
The best type to use is paintable and weatherproof acrylic latex caulk. If you’re using it throughout your home, you may need multiple tubes, while only one section may require a single tube. Always buy extra. If you don’t use it, you can always return it.
Here’s how to caulk the gaps between the baseboard and tile floor:
- Tape off the Working Area. Prevent caulk from spreading over your tile by using painter’s tape where the tile meets the baseboard. The tape’s edge should run right along the edge of the baseboard, and the caulk will create a seal.
Remove old paint using a putty knife. If you need a vertical seal, line up your tape with the bottom of your baseboard. While taping off the area may be time-consuming, it is worth it. When you are done, you will have a complete seal.
- Apply Your Caulk. Cut the caulk tube at an angle, leaving a 1/8” gap. Trim off the end of the caulk tube, then fill the gun with the tube. Run a steady bead of caulk between tile and baseboard. Use a thin caulk layer along the top of your baseboard if needed.
- Smooth Your Caulk. Smooth the freshly applied caulk using a caulking tool to hide any imperfections and provide a contrast between the baseboard and tiles. A smooth surface is also easier to paint and resists dirt, and the easiest way to remove caulking and leave a smooth edge is to use a wet finger
- Remove Tape. Remove the tape after smoothing your caulk. Allowing the caulk to dry before removing the tape traps the tape, creating a mess, so remove it when the caulk is still wet. Wipe excess caulk from the grout and tile for a final polish.
These easy methods quickly fill the gap between the baseboard and tile floor. Which one works best for you will depend on how large the gap is and what looks best in your room. Thankfully, there are several options homeowners can use when trying to remedy this issue, and the results are undetectable.
