Dictionary Definition
baseboard n : a molding covering the joint formed
by a wall and the floor [syn: mopboard, skirting
board]
User Contributed Dictionary
English
Noun
Derived terms
Extensive Definition
In architecture, a baseboard
(also called skirting board, skirting, or mopboard) is a wooden board, normally two to four inches
high, covering the lowest part of an interior wall. Its purpose is to cover the
joint between the wall surface(usually plaster or drywall) and the
floor. It covers the inevitable uneven edge as flooring meets the
wall. As a secondary function, it protects the wall from kicks and
abrasion and sometimes prevents furniture from being pushed right
against the wall. As a tertiary function, it can serve as a
decorative molding.
At its simplest, skirting board consists of a
simple plank nailed,
screwed or glued to the wall;
however particularly in older houses it can be made up of a number
of mouldings
to provide an elaborate decorative feature. Even today, it is quite
common to have a quarter
round moulding between the baseboard and floor. Quarter round
has the added advantage of covering more of the floor, giving the
finished flooring installer a greater margin of error that can be
covered up by the quarter round and baseboard. More recent trends
in interior design are going back to more elaborate baseboards,
which, in conjunction with other decorative moldings help to
distinguish a home.
Plastic baseboard is usually available in white
or a flexible version in several colors and is generally glued to
the wall. Wooden baseboard is available in paint or stain grade
versions. Paint grade will not take stain well and is suitable for
painting. Paint Grade baseboards can be either "raw finger jointed"
or "primed." Stain grade woods such as oak, pine, maple, and others
are clearer and are suitable for staining in natural
finishes.
Baseboards are sometimes referred to as kick
boards, mop boards, cove molding, or floor molding, as well as base
molding.
Heating
Baseboards can be used for heating.
See also
Notes
baseboard in German: Leiste (Bauteil)
baseboard in Modern Greek (1453-):
Σοβατεπί
baseboard in Spanish: rodapié
baseboard in Dutch: Plint