Baseboards are a beautiful and valuable addition to any newly constructed or renovated room.
They can help the area look more attractive or tie the overall decor together.
But most individuals are confused about what size they should go for or the standard size.
The 7% rule applies to what the standard height of baseboards should be. In general, they should be 7% of the total height of your hallway. So, if your ceilings are 8 feet high, your baseboards should be approximately 7 inches tall.
These measurements are a typical range taken into account when placing a baseboard.
However, several other aspects that might help you choose the right size board for your house should be covered in depth.
Continue reading to find out more about achieving the ideal size and form.
Why Are Baseboards Important?
Even though baseboards add a visual advantage to a room, their goal is more than just aesthetic. The baseboard is sometimes used to protect the drywall.
The benefits of baseboards may vary based on the type of elements used in the home. Here are the following advantages:
Protection: Baseboards defend against material damage.
The base of the wall is more susceptible to damage from a vast range of objects, and drywall isn’t built to protect against all of them.
Prevents Water Damages: Due to their composition, drywall is vulnerable to moisture damage.
In the absence of baseboards, the mist from the floor can penetrate easily through the drywall, spreading upward and resulting in unappealing damage.
Baseboards Conceal Crooked Walls: It may be difficult to believe or even see. However, most walls are not straight.
A good baseboard setup can help to hide this from the eyes.
Baseboards Keep Debris and Dirt Away: Baseboards can help to provide a sturdy 90-degree gap for debris and dirt to stop at.
They perform as a barrier for debris and dirt plunging through cracks.
Baseboards Conceal Expanding and Contracting Hardwood Floors: Various hardwood floors contract and expand naturally throughout the year due to moisture content.
This is accomplished by fleeing small gaps (for example, 14″) along the wall. To fill the gaps, a baseboard is required.
How To Select The Correct Baseboard Height
Picking the baseboard height that you choose may be all that is required. Most baseboards range in size from 3 inches to 8 inches.
To get it perfect, there may be a lot to consider. Use the following criteria to establish the ideal baseboard height for your home:
Heights Commonly Sold by Sellers: Retailers provide a wide variety of sizes and forms, but the most popular are 3 1/4 inches and 5 1/4 inches. They typically exist in 16-foot strips and are 5/8 inches thick.
Height of the Moldings: Depending on the size of the baseboards you have, the height of your crown molding may have to be measured.
Height of Walls: While some homes have low ceilings in particular areas, others have higher ceilings overall.
You must choose a style that complements both if your baseboard trim will be one endless variety.
Although there are many variances, most designers follow the general guideline that the trim should be taller than the wall.
Chair Railing Height: If your chair molding runs down the wall, you should take a look at it, just like you would with crown molding.
For instance, a 3″ baseboard could look ideal in a smaller room to maintain a pleasing distance between the chair rail and baseboards.
However, a taller baseboard might help tie things together in spaces with higher ceilings.
Personal Preference: Buying various sample sizes and bringing them home is probably the most typical technique to figure out the exact height of your baseboards.
Place them throughout the home so you can picture how they will appear in your space.
After that, stick with what you enjoy and discard what you don’t. Consider your available instruments as well; some taller baseboards might not be able to cut with chop saws that are typically used.
Budget: Taller trim often costs more, though this isn’t always the case. Other elements like the profile and material type can also influence the price.
Why Does Choosing The Right Height Matter?
Regarding baseboards, height is a critical factor in the selection process.
If you install far too high baseboards in your room, it won’t be aesthetically pleasing, and you will most likely be unhappy with your choice.
On the other hand, if the baseboards are too low, they will be eyesores.
The look you want to achieve will most likely play a role in determining the height of the baseboard.
A higher baseboard is typically recommended if you want a modern or elegant look. Again, based on the height of your roof, this will range from 5-8 inches.
The Issue With Tall Baseboards
Perhaps you want to make the rooms in your apartment look elegant, so you opt for an ultra-tall baseboard to achieve this look.
Unfortunately, you are unlikely to achieve an elegant appearance. Instead, you will realize that your room appears to be relatively small.
When selecting a baseboard, the ultimate goal is to bring visual symmetry to the room.
The Issue With Short Baseboards
If you choose the baseboard that is too short for the room, it will not offer the necessary balance to make the space visually appealing.
Instead, because the distance between the baseboard and the ceiling is too short, it will seem to close the facades of the room up.
Final Words on Standard Baseboard Height
Before you simply go out and buy something that looks beautiful, there are several things to consider, regardless of whether you intend to replace current baseboards or add new ones.
Always check that the baseboard is the right height so as not to overpower the decor for it to blend in with the aesthetics of your home.
Once you’ve finished, you can fully appreciate how your new baseboard looks because it was fitted correctly.
