Baseboard Styles

Wood

• Wood is a common material used for baseboards and gives rooms an elegant, finished look. Wood baseboards can be made out of nearly any type of wood but the most common types are pine and oak. Pine molding is one of the least-expensive natural woods used to make baseboards. However, pine baseboards often take an inconsistent or splotchy appearance when stained or varnished. Painting is generally preferable for pine baseboards. Oak, on the other hand, is more expensive than pine but accepts stain or varnish much more evenly. Oak baseboards are readily available and can usually be stained to match wood flooring.

Other Materials

• Other materials, such as wood composites, plastic and vinyl, are also used for baseboards. Plastic baseboards are most commonly used in bathrooms as the plastic won't absorb moisture like wood will. Medium-density fiberboard, known as MDF, is an engineered wood product that is inexpensive and can be easily painted. However, it does not have wood grain like natural woods do and shouldn't be stained. Vinyl is another baseboard alternative that is used mostly in basements and utility rooms; it is generally glued in place, rather than nailed.

Finishes

• Once baseboards are installed, there are a variety of finishes that can be added to complete the look of a room. Most baseboards can be stained or painted, depending on the material they're made of. Some plastic baseboards, however, cannot be easily painted. Many types of baseboards come with a white finish, although baseboards that are prestained or finished in other ways can be purchased as well. If you are finishing the baseboard yourself, instead of buying a prefinished baseboard, it is advisable to apply the finish before installation.

Designs

• In addition to the various materials and finishes, baseboards also come in a variety of styles. While common baseboards are simple in design, others are more elegant and feature intricate carvings and can be heavily embossed. Other baseboards feature patterns and some are even partially adorned with gold, brass or silver for a more opulent finish. Even plainly cut baseboards can offer varying designs, as wider, more dramatic widths of baseboards are becoming available to add a unique aspect to an otherwise common piece of molding.