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Baseboard detail in modern home

yojimbo2 | Posted in Energy, Heating & Insulation on January 3, 2008 07:31am

This forum seems like the nearest thing to one on modern design and I so I thought I would post my question here:

In several modern homes that I have been in the baseboard detail has intrigued me.  The baseboard is on the same plane as the drywall.  The baseboard, or what I am assuming is the baseboard is about 5.5 inches high, and then there is a joint where it meets the drywall above it.

How do they do this?  Are they using 5/8″ drywall to match the thickness of the baseboard?  I assume they are using MDF, is there j-mold at the bottom of the drywall?  Do they drywall first, then put the flooring in, and then install the baseboard?  But then you would have an air gap between the baseboard and the drywall.  Where are they finding 16′ lengths of rectangular MDF?

Same goes for door openings, there is no surface trim, jamb, etc.  Only smooth uninterrupted surfaces with square corners.  How are the openings done when there is no door, and when there is a door ?

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  1. hvtrimguy | Jan 03, 2008 07:42am | #1

    I've done this by first scibing the base to the floor, then marking the height of the base plus the reveal then cutting (or leaving the rock if not installed yet) at the desired height. there is then plastic trim pieces that bridge the gap. they get mudded in. the doors are basically done the same way.

    "it aint the work I mind,
    It's the feeling of falling further behind."

    Bozini Latini

    http://www.ingrainedwoodworking.com

    1. yojimbo2 | Jan 03, 2008 07:53am | #2

      so the drywall is already on the wall, and you have to cut and remove the drywall and install the baseboard-ohmygod- the labor involved.

      This plastic trim piece, is there a way I can find it on the web?

      Thx

  2. RobWes | Jan 03, 2008 04:33pm | #3

    A house that I manage has this detail. It also has no molding of any kind around windows and doors.

    Oh my god expensive is an understatement. It cost more for this one detail then then the entire WB and plaster did back in 1990.

    Yes it is all J bead finished then plastered. Crisp and clean with no room for error.

  3. runnerguy | Jan 03, 2008 10:37pm | #4

    Good replies above. I've also used that detail when bringing drywall up to the top of a kneewall that has a 3/4 stained oak top.

    One side thought, while that detail looks very clean, it's a b***h to keep clean, especially at the base. A real dust collector.

     

    Runnerguy

    1. RobWes | Jan 04, 2008 01:28am | #5

      That's what the house keepers are for. :-)

  4. rlrefalo | Jan 04, 2008 03:46am | #6

       Did this probably 24 years ago on a new townhouse in nyc. We used taping L bead with a sheet metal band about 3 inches wide to create the back of the reveal. Very difficult to do well. There is a company that makes extruded aluminum bead profiles that do have  reveals. I'll post again if i can recall the company name.  (Pittcon is the company)



    Edited 1/3/2008 7:50 pm ET by rlrefalo

  5. maverick | Jan 04, 2008 05:43am | #7

    I dont see why you cant just start with a 7 or 8 inch rip of mdf. dado in the groove at the height you like then cut a 20 degree or so taper above that. install the base piece then sit the drywall on top and flat tape the drywall to the mdf

    I have not done this exactly but I have taped other details to mdf with no problems. you might want to ask for medex mdf. it has superior water resistance

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