Shoe molding and quarter-round molding are the two most common molding types you’ll find in homes. And at first glance, to an untrained eye, it’s nearly impossible to tell the differences between these two molding styles.
But despite the similarities between quarter-round and shoe moldings, each presents a stark difference in how it impacts your home. Knowing the differences between these two molding styles is essential if you’re debating adding one to your home. We’ll look at their design quirks and unique benefits and help you find the one that fits your interior.
Size and Shape
Quarter-round molding earns its name from its unique design, possessing a curved, perfect quarter-circle appearance. On the other hand, shoe molding has slightly sharper edges than quarter-round and looks more like a triangle than a circle.
Size is the second major factor setting these two moldings apart. While you can find uniquely-sized shoe molding and quarter-round molding, the former is often slightly smaller and thinner than the latter.
Though the differences are subtle, they dramatically shift how homeowners use each style.
Materials
Manufacturers build shoe molding and quarter-round molding in several materials to match different interior designs. Some of the most popular include:
- Wood
- Medium-density fiberboard
- Polystyrene
- PVC
You can paint all those materials to complement your home’s interior design further.
Other Similarities
Despite their differences and regardless of material, shoe molding and quarter-round molding serve the same general purposes; to enhance the visual appeal of your living spaces and cover gaps and imperfections.
When installing these moldings at the transition between the walls and floor, you can hide unsightly paintwork or cracks that might have formed from spotty construction. But even if your walls have no structural faults, thin strips of molding painted to a room’s color profile can help it stand out and be the finishing touch on a home renovation.
Even though their functions are similar, their specific benefits set quarter-round molding and shoe molding apart.
Benefits of Quarter-Round Molding
Contractors and homeowners generally consider quarter-round molding better than shoe molding for patchwork but not as strong aesthetically. Of course, many people love the look of quarter-round molding’s unique quarter-circle design, but it’s still used less for visual flair and more to cover significant gaps between the walls and floor.
Because quarter-round molding is thicker and taller than most shoe moldings, it covers imperfections better than the alternative. So if you’re installing molding to hide your home’s flaws, quarter-round is the way to go.
Quarter-round molding’s thick design does have more aesthetic value than shoe molding for tall walls with wide baseboards. Since shoe molding is thinner and smaller than quarter-round, it doesn’t stand out on walls with excess surface area and ultimately appears out of place.
On the other hand, quarter-round molding is thick enough to be a valuable complement to a spacious wall.
Benefits of Shoe Molding
While quarter-round molding might be too clunky for most homes, shoe molding has a sleek and sharp design that fits most contemporary home aesthetics. Its thinness and sharp edges add a unique visual flair you won’t find with other moldings without standing out too much.
And just because shoe molding is smaller than quarter-round molding doesn’t mean it’s useless for covering gaps. Instead, well-placed shoe molding will hide your home’s more minor imperfections without sacrificing aesthetics like you would for quarter-round.
You should install shoe molding instead of quarter-round molding if your top priority is to spice up your home’s interior or only have small gaps between your walls and floor.
Where You Should Use Quarter-Round Molding
Quarter-round molding is most prevalent in rooms with hardwood floors. Since carpeted flooring has more height than wood, it can naturally cover most gaps between the walls and floor.
So if you’re replacing the carpeted flooring in one of your living spaces and want to ensure there aren’t any noticeable construction faults, quarter-round molding is an excellent insurance policy.
Quarter-round molding also fits nicely on new countertops. The quarter-circle design is safer than the rigid edges of shoe molding, and it gives counters a unique, rounded appearance.
Where You Should Use Shoe Molding
Shoe molding isn’t just a great way to make your baseboards and walls more appealing; it’s also one of the best ways to increase the aesthetic value of your home’s interior features.
Installing shoe molding around doorways and staircases gives them a unique, alluring aesthetic and makes them stand out far more than they would with a flat frame.
Installing Quarter Round and Shoe Molding on Your Walls and Floor
Once you’ve found your perfect home molding, you can install it yourself or with the help of a professional carpenter.
Tribble Painting Company, Inc. can take the pain of quality molding installation off your hands in and around Ann Arbor, MI. Still, you can attempt DIY installation with a few special tools and a shortlist of steps.
What You’ll Need
- Tape measure or yardstick
- Pencil
- Nailgun
- Handsaw
- Wood glue
- Molding of choice
Step #1: Mark Your Molding
Hold your molding strip against the surface you’re applying it to, and mark how much you’ll need to cover the length with a pencil. You can optionally measure the length with your yardstick or a tape measure.
Step #2: Cut Your Molding
Cut the molding strip along the marked length at a 45-degree angle. Place the shortened strip along the desired wall and repeat with the rest of your molding.
Step #3: Set Your Molding in Place
Glue your sliced molding strips together to form one continuous unit that stretches around the wall.
Step #4: Finish Your Molding
Use your nail gun to insert nails two inches apart throughout your molding to fix it to the wall and finish your installation.
Call Tribble Painting Company, Inc. For Professional Molding Installation
Installing shoe and quarter-round molding is challenging, even with the proper tools. So if you’re searching for unbeatable molding installation, look no further than Tribble Painting Company, Inc.
Our molding experts will quickly and accurately install whatever molding you want, wherever you want it, all for an affordable rate. Contact us today to put the finishing touches on your home in Novi, MI, today.
