{"id":3266,"date":"2022-02-23T16:16:00","date_gmt":"2022-02-23T21:16:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/diywithchristine.com\/?p=3266"},"modified":"2024-02-27T08:07:53","modified_gmt":"2024-02-27T13:07:53","slug":"carpet-trim-installation-order","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/diywithchristine.com\/carpet-trim-installation-order\/","title":{"rendered":"Should You Install Carpet Or Trim First? (Order Of Operations)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Is It Better To Install Trim Or Carpet First When Remodeling? Find Out Here!<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Are you mid-renovation and wondering if you should install the carpet or the trim first? Well, look no further because I have your answer!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want to minimize the amount of time the new carpet is walked on, install the trim before the carpet. If you want to avoid the trim being damaged during the carpet installation and ensure it is installed the correct distance above the carpet, install the carpet before the trim.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the most part, it depends on the benefits you are trying to reap (and the disadvantages you are trying to avoid).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I had this exact question while we were renovating our own home, so I’ll break down the details further below on your different choices and the decision we came to. Then you can walk away with a confident decision!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let’s dive in!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quick Navigation: Carpet Or Trim First<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
  1. Benefits Of Installing Carpet Before Trim<\/a><\/li>
  2. Benefits Of Installing Trim Before Carpet<\/a><\/li>
  3. Carpet Or Trim First: Which Is Better?<\/a><\/li>
  4. How To Install Trim Before Carpet<\/a><\/li>
  5. Other FAQs About Order Of Installation For Carpet & Trim<\/a><\/li>
  6. Final Thoughts<\/a><\/li>
  7. Related Trim & Moulding Articles<\/a><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Benefits Of Installing Carpet Before Trim<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    There are a few benefits and disadvantages to installing the carpet before the trim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Pros Of Installing Carpet Before Trim<\/th>Cons Of Installing Carpet Before Trim<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
    Carpet contractors are happier (baseboard is out of their way during the installation)<\/td>The carpet will be walked on a lot while installing trim<\/td><\/tr>
    Trim won’t be damaged by the carpet contractors<\/td>Any debris that naturally happens while installing trim will end up in the new carpet<\/td><\/tr>
    The trim will be installed at the perfect height for the new carpet<\/td><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>
    This table demonstrates the pros and cons of installing carpet before the baseboard.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Benefit One: Carpet Contractors Are Happier<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    The first benefit to installing carpet before trim is that the carpet installers will be happier that no baseboard will be in the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    While making our decision, we point-blank asked the Home Depot carpet installers if they wanted us to install the baseboard first or to wait.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    These specific contractors preferred that we waited because it makes their job easier when the baseboard isn’t there (although most of the time, they do install carpet with baseboard already installed, so this was not a deal breaker).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Benefit Two: Trim Won’t Be Damaged<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    The next benefit to installing carpet before trim is that the new trim won’t be damaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    When carpet is installed, it’s in giant rolls that kinda get thrown around. Sometimes that can damage the surrounding wall and baseboard.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Of course, if you have a highly skilled contractor, then the likelihood of this happening is very low.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    But some contractors just aren’t as gentle, so a tiny bit of damage can occur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If the baseboard isn’t installed yet, then you don’t have to worry about this at all.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Benefit Three: Trim Will Be Installed At The Correct Height<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    The final benefit to installing carpet before trim is that the trim will be installed at the correct height of the new carpet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Without the carpet being installed, you will have to guess the correct distance above the subfloor to install the baseboard.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    As a general rule of thumb, a 1-inch gap should give plenty of room for carpet to be installed without leaving a large gap between the carpet and trim. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    However, this distance is dependent upon the thickness of your new carpet and carpet pad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If the carpet is installed first, then there is no guessing. The trim can be installed right over the new carpet.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Drawback One: New Carpet Will Be Walked On During Trim Installation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    The first drawback to installing carpet before trim is that you will have to work over (and walk on) the new carpet to install the trim after the fact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    While this is not a big deal, it will require you to constantly take your shoes off or put on some type of shoe cover to avoid getting dirt and debris on the new carpet.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    It helps if you are installing baseboard with multiple people, though. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    One person can be the designated cutter (that leaves their shoes on to go and cut the baseboard), and the other can be the designated installer (that leaves their shoes off and gets measurements\/nails the pieces in place).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Drawback Two: Trim Installation Might Get Some Debris In The New Carpet<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    The final drawback to installing carpet before trim is that some debris from the trim installation can get in the carpet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For the most part, installing trim is not messy. But if you are caulking or need to sand wood filler to hide the nail heads, then some of that debris can get in the new carpet.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Related Trim & Moulding Articles<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n