How to properly add a Garage Baseboard?

[DRC12345]

Hey all, I'm in the initial stages of a garage makeover. I would like to add a baseboard and just wondering the best way to do so in my case. My garage is fully sheet rocked with around a foot of foundation wall extending from the floor (varies pending slope).

I'd like to paint this cement and then add a PVC baseboard. Would you add the board above the exposed foundation on top of the drywall or overtop of the cement meeting the floor?

Thanks for your feedback.

 

[CT2012]

Re: How to properly add a Garag Baseboard?

i would screw it into sheetrock such that the bottom edge of molding goes flush with the bottom of the sheetrock (or mabe a 1/4" or so overhang in case the bottom edge isn't perfectly straight all the way across). i'm doing the same thing since i have a similar layout on 1 wall. i have it mocked up now and it looks just fine (the concrete has epoxy on it).

 

[sands35]

Re: How to properly add a Garag Baseboard?

PVC is going to get expensive fast. I'd use cedar wood if you are worried about rot, or just back prime pine.

 

[DRC12345]

Re: How to properly add a Garag Baseboard?

i would screw it into sheetrock such that the bottom edge of molding goes flush with the bottom of the sheetrock (or mabe a 1/4" or so overhang in case the bottom edge isn't perfectly straight all the way across). i'm doing the same thing since i have a similar layout on 1 wall. i have it mocked up now and it looks just fine (the concrete has epoxy on it).

Thanks for the feedback! Are you following the "step-up" with the PVC molding over the drywall or just going straight across, level with the floor? I would think the latter would look more appealing?

 

[DRC12345]

Re: How to properly add a Garag Baseboard?

PVC is going to get expensive fast. I'd use cedar wood if you are worried about rot, or just back prime pine.

That's an interesting recommendation. And then paint the wood? Regardless of the material used it's best to avoid covering the exposed cement correct?

 

[Kevin54]

You can cover the cement, but do not set the baseboard on the floor if you get on the garage floor. Get a good paint and paint your block the same color as what you are going to paint your baseboard. If you use an MDB baseboard, you definitely do not want it on the floor. If you get occasional water on the floor, you want a pine baseboard painted with a good exterior latex paint, both sides and bottom.

In your case, it looks like you may have a block on top of a slab which puts your drywall 8" up off of the floor.

One thing you CAN do is just let your baseboard hang slightly over the top of the block. The baseboard will finish the wall, and the foundation will be what it is. If you epoxy coat the floor, then epoxy coat your foundation.

Look at it this way, if your finished wall was 1" back from the edge of the foundation, you would set your baseboard on top of the foundation. So you can do the same thing except you will have a flat edge at the bottom of the baseboard.

Now, one other thing you can do.....two baseboards, fastened at the bottom plate, one baseboard upside down, hanging over the block. The other baseboard setting on top of the upside down board, only putting it right side up.

My advice is buy the baseboard that you want to use, but only buy one piece. Paint it the color you want, then cut it into sections and add it along the wall that you are showing, snap a pic, get some votes on here, and let us know what you also think

 

[CNGsaves]

Can't do baseboards yet . . . . first you have to Epoxy the floor !!

 

[Scottwi]

I painted the concrete and the base with a good oil based exterior paint. I figured if it was made to be out side 24/7 the occasional moisture it will get in the garage wouldn't be an issue.

I am happy with the way it looks.

My concrete stuck out further than the drywall so i put mine above it.

 

[DRC12345]

You can cover the cement, but do not set the baseboard on the floor if you get on the garage floor. Get a good paint and paint your block the same color as what you are going to paint your baseboard. If you use an MDB baseboard, you definitely do not want it on the floor. If you get occasional water on the floor, you want a pine baseboard painted with a good exterior latex paint, both sides and bottom.

In your case, it looks like you may have a block on top of a slab which puts your drywall 8" up off of the floor.

One thing you CAN do is just let your baseboard hang slightly over the top of the block. The baseboard will finish the wall, and the foundation will be what it is. If you epoxy coat the floor, then epoxy coat your foundation.

Look at it this way, if your finished wall was 1" back from the edge of the foundation, you would set your baseboard on top of the foundation. So you can do the same thing except you will have a flat edge at the bottom of the baseboard.

Now, one other thing you can do.....two baseboards, fastened at the bottom plate, one baseboard upside down, hanging over the block. The other baseboard setting on top of the upside down board, only putting it right side up.

My advice is buy the baseboard that you want to use, but only buy one piece. Paint it the color you want, then cut it into sections and add it along the wall that you are showing, snap a pic, get some votes on here, and let us know what you also think

Very good information, thanks! I noticed some 5.5" PVC molding at Lowes ans also 4x8 1/8" thick PVC textured sheets I was thinking of having ripped into 1 foot sections to add as the baseboard. I like the idea of keeping it above the foundation and slightly overhanging and then applying an epoxy or good paint over top of the cement.

Would it be recommended to screw the baseboard into place or would a construction adhesive over the drywall suffice?

 

[DRC12345]

Can't do baseboards yet . . . . first you have to Epoxy the floor !!

Yes indeed! That is on my long list of to-do's lol. That I may tackle in the spring time and decide if I want to apply an epoxy, roll or plastic tile type floor.

I painted the concrete and the base with a good oil based exterior paint. I figured if it was made to be out side 24/7 the occasional moisture it will get in the garage wouldn't be an issue.

I am happy with the way it looks.

My concrete stuck out further than the drywall so i put mine above it.

That looks fantastic! Ii the red painted area drywall or partially exposed foundation/block?

 

[CT2012]

Re: How to properly add a Garag Baseboard?

sands35 brings up a good point. if your entire garage is like that (concrete below sheetrock) you don't really need pvc unless you are absolutely set on it. the sheetrock has plenty of room below to have air circulate and mitigate moisture buildup (assuming that's why you wanted pvc to begin with). you could do 1x4 pine (primed of course) or pressure treated 1x4 if you really wanted to do it. it'd still be cheaper than pvc.

here's what i used--it's 20 bucks per 12' strip.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Royal-Mo...inyl-Trim-Plank-Moulding-0731812003/100060499

PVC is going to get expensive fast. I'd use cedar wood if you are worried about rot, or just back prime pine.

 

[DRC12345]

Re: How to properly add a Garag Baseboard?

sands35 brings up a good point. if your entire garage is like that (concrete below sheetrock) you don't really need pvc unless you are absolutely set on it. the sheetrock has plenty of room below to have air circulate and mitigate moisture buildup (assuming that's why you wanted pvc to begin with). you could do 1x4 pine (primed of course) or pressure treated 1x4 if you really wanted to do it. it'd still be cheaper than pvc.

here's what i used--it's 20 bucks per 12' strip.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Royal-Mo...inyl-Trim-Plank-Moulding-0731812003/100060499

This is the same product I saw at Home Depot, in a white textured finish. How did you install it (adhesive or screws)?

 

[Scottwi]

That looks fantastic! Ii the red painted area drywall or partially exposed foundation/block?

Everything above the black painted concrete is dry wall. The checkered stripe in the middle is duct tape

 

[CNGsaves]

OP . . . . I think your idea of using plastic board for trim as you could wash out garage with no worries, especially since your concrete stubwalls are tall.

Perfect world I'd use wide PVC board to cover all concrete stubwall up to drywall. Then I'd use more decorative cap trim with routered design.

Trick to have nice looking joints is cut each joint at 45 degree angle with opposite angle on the next "board" so you have lap joint. Glue each joint and will look like one continuous board.

 

[DRC12345]

OP . . . . I think your idea of using plastic board for trim as you could wash out garage with no worries, especially since your concrete stubwalls are tall.

Perfect world I'd use wide PVC board to cover all concrete stubwall up to drywall. Then I'd use more decorative cap trim with routered design.

Trick to have nice looking joints is cut each joint at 45 degree angle with opposite angle on the next "board" so you have lap joint. Glue each joint and will look like one continuous board.

Good info. What about the use of that 1/8" (approx.) thick Fiberglass (FRP) board from Lowes or HD? It comes in 4 x 8 sheets for $49. I was thinking of having it cutting to 8" x 96" and either screwing or gluing so that the foot extends about an inch below the drywall. It would not protrude much but still provide the clean finish I'm looking for. Then I'd just paint the rest of the exposed foundation.

This is the stuff I found, what do you guys think? Any idea if Lowes or HD can cut this to lengths using their saw?

 

[CNGsaves]

Looks like plastic wall covering that is commonly used in bathrooms like McDonalds, gas stations, etc. It's durable but easy to clean. Yeah, if you like the look/texture of that, then rip down to width you want and glue to concrete stubwall.

However, I'd recommend totally covering the concrete, and then have thinner "cap mold" wood trim piece to cover the **** joint between plastic on bottom and sheetrock. If you caulk and paint that trim board at top and bottom, then you'd have pretty waterproof lower portion of wall.

You don't mention what climate you're in
. . . now would be good time to Update GJ Profile with your Location . . .
. . ie City / State / Country . .
but a good seal to keep out cold is always a good thing.

 

[CT2012]

Re: How to properly add a Garag Baseboard?

haven't installed yet, since i just finished priming & painting the boards. i'll be screwing them in with leftover stainless deck screws with small black heads (blends in better with the color I painted them). since they're going to be exposed to the elements (moisture in garage during season transition) stainless is the way to go.

This is the same product I saw at Home Depot, in a white textured finish. How did you install it (adhesive or screws)?

 

[NitroShark]

For PVC, I used this from HD and it worked out great.



Shawn

 

[CT2012]

Nitro I almost bought that exact stuff but it would've made my place look too swank!

It is a great product for the application. Look in another section of the store where they typically keep all the vinyl/pvc trims--they sell it in 12' strips as well.