Baseboard insulation

[JHZR2]

We are getting some of the original 90yo pine floors in the downstairs of our home refinished. Sme of the wood is not as smooth as it should be, and we have concerns about splinters for our crawling and mobile baby. At one point long ago, there was wall to wall carpet on the floors, and the original quarter round that covered the gap between baseboard (~6in unpaired, stained and shellacked chestnut) and the floor (yellow pine, IIRC) was removed. Part of the refinish is to replace this quarter round and making it all match.

So the baseboard has about 1/2" gap between its bottom edge and the floor. Not sure why this was due, perhaps it was even done when carpet was installed t hold it down (?).

Anyway, im leaving it and we are putting this quarter round. But I'm curious if it would make sense to spray foam insulation to close that half inch hole before putting down the quarter round. At least on the outside walls....

Thanks.

 

[JamesBond]

I'm not very knowledgeable in these types of things but...

I've used that spray foam to seal up gaps/penetrations in an apt.(shhhhh) but would find something better to use in my home. The spray foam can be messy, and really expands and can put pressure on other parts of the floor and wall, and is a pain to remove if you need to for any reason.

I'd look for some kind of foam weatherstripping in a roll if you really think its needed.

 

[FZ1]

Don't use the spray foam,it'll make a mess. Go to HD and get some round foam weatherstrip and push it into the gap.

 

[Trav]

You can use low expansion spray foam without any problems, i used it all over the place in this 1928 mausoleum.
The trick is to let it harden fully before trimming, don't try to wipe it wet or its a heck of a mess. It trims nice and seals perfectly.
Try it in a small area first and see how its working for you.

 

[Pop_Rivit]

The gap around fixed structures is there because the floor and house need to expand and contract with the temperature and weather. A 1/2 to 3/4 gap for older hardwoods is normal. Anything you stick in the gap has the potential to restrict the amount of movement and cause issues. Pine floors can expand a lot, real hardwoods are not as bad as pine but will still move some.

Assuming your house is insulated to modern standards (sill plate, walls, etc.) just add some quarter round to finish it off. Insulating the gap shouldn't be an issue, but it's not needed if the rest of the house has a tight envelope.

 

[demarpaint]

Like Pop Rivit said there is a lot of movement in those floors during seasonal changes. What can possibly happen is the movement can cause the foam insulation to eventually pop the 1/4 round trim in some places. I'd use a different form of insulation, or just install the trim and call it a day.

 

[hisilver]

Shove some foam roll in it then finish it with quarter round.
Or
Re-do/ lower the base board.

 

[JHZR2]

Good point about movement and expansion. I think the gap is excessive, but since that foam doesnt have any real give to it, its a good point.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Good point about movement and expansion. I think the gap is excessive, but since that foam doesnt have any real give to it, its a good point.



I've seen it happen, keep in mind you're probably going to be using small finishing nails to attach it. That foam is great, it expands a lot to fill voids. It is actually rigid enough to pop those small nails in the 1/4 round if the floor decides to expand.

 

[JHZR2]

Yeah it sure does dry hard. I can see how it can happen. Probably doesnt take a lot to back nails out over a few years too...

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Yeah it sure does dry hard. I can see how it can happen. Probably doesnt take a lot to back nails out over a few years too...


Exactly.