08-24-2008, 02:59 AM
I've done both. If the baseboard is relatively tall, then I'd put the tile up close and cover with shoe mold. If the baseboard is short, I'd remove it since it will look strange if it loses more height due to the increased height of the tile, particularly if you are going to use a backer board.
If the hardwood is going where carpet used to be, it depends on whether you're using 3/4" or a plywood type. The baseboard is probably 1/2" above the floor to allow the carpet to be tucked underneath. If that's the case and you are using plywood flooring (that is less than 1/2"), I'd cut it to fit to the edge of the baseboard and then use a shoemold to cover it. If you are using 3/4" hardwood, I'd remove the baseboard since it will expand and so you'll have to hold it far enough back from the baseboard that the shoemold might not cover the gaps.
I've been able to remove baseboard from relatively new houses easily and without damage, using the ideas of others, above. In older houses, it's proven to be more difficult. In one case we were able to determine where the nails were by looking for indentations every 16 inches. In that house, we sunk the nails through the baseboard using a thin nail set and then cut the paint edge and it came right off. The nails then had to be pulled from the wall. When you cut a paint edge. be careful to not let your knife run into the baseboard and follow the grain and cut into the baseboard. Finally, let me reinforce the very first piece of advice--pull nails from the back. I usually use one of those big-jawed plumbers pliers. Grab it at the wood and just roll the pliers back and out it comes.
If the hardwood is going where carpet used to be, it depends on whether you're using 3/4" or a plywood type. The baseboard is probably 1/2" above the floor to allow the carpet to be tucked underneath. If that's the case and you are using plywood flooring (that is less than 1/2"), I'd cut it to fit to the edge of the baseboard and then use a shoemold to cover it. If you are using 3/4" hardwood, I'd remove the baseboard since it will expand and so you'll have to hold it far enough back from the baseboard that the shoemold might not cover the gaps.
I've been able to remove baseboard from relatively new houses easily and without damage, using the ideas of others, above. In older houses, it's proven to be more difficult. In one case we were able to determine where the nails were by looking for indentations every 16 inches. In that house, we sunk the nails through the baseboard using a thin nail set and then cut the paint edge and it came right off. The nails then had to be pulled from the wall. When you cut a paint edge. be careful to not let your knife run into the baseboard and follow the grain and cut into the baseboard. Finally, let me reinforce the very first piece of advice--pull nails from the back. I usually use one of those big-jawed plumbers pliers. Grab it at the wood and just roll the pliers back and out it comes.