askjake

Matching baseboards

I have a living room that has two walls that are painted over plaster, and two walls that are wood paneling. I want to take up the carpet and put down laminate. Then I will need to add baseboard around the edge. Do I paint the baseboard to match the painted walls or stain it to match the paneling?

-Leta

Leta,

I think the base should all be the same color.  With that being said, I don’t like painted base on stained wood paneling, so I would stain the base to match the paneling. 

Poly on Pine

Rita asks:

We our putting pine log siding on our basement walls to look like the lodge look. Can we put poly on them after we put them up or before or what do you recommend to put on them

Jake's answer:

Rita,

Yes you can put poly on them.  I assume you are talking about a poly-urethane. Benjamin Moore makes a nice line of stains and sealers.  A waterborne sealer might be a little more easy to use, clean up, and have a lot less odor to deal with.  You can enhance the appearance of the wood by sealing it and it will be easier to clean over the years.  

Rough carpentry, electrical and HVAC

Ben asks:

I am having a contractor open a walkway in a load bearing wall this week. However, he is only finishing the rough carpentry, and will not be moving the electrical outlet that ties to the upstairs as well, or the central vac connection. I am wondering if the moving of these mechanicals is harder after the contractor has completed his rough work, or if it will be of equal difficulty after rough work as it would have been before. And about the central vac connection, can that be flush mounted in the floor? The flooring will be 3/4" hardwood. Thanks! 

Ben

Jake's answer:

Ben,

Usually the rough carpentry is completed prior to the mechanical (plumber, HVAC and electrician) trades appearing on the job.  If some of the wires etc. have to be cut,  make certain to note how they were installed originally.  It’s not a bad idea to take some photos of the wall after it is opened up and before anything is moved out of the way – your tradesmen will appreciate this. 

Wainscoting a mobile home

Kim asks:

What kind of wainscoting can I not use in a mobile home?

Jake's answer:

Kim,

You can use any kind of wainscoting that you want.