Definition of "Baseboard"

Joseph  DeBronzo real estate agent

Written by

Joseph DeBronzoelite badge icon

RE/MAX Properties, Ltd.

Wondering what is the baseboard definition?

Baseboard is a detail piece placed at the spot where the floor meets the wall. Typically made out of wood, vinyl or PVC plastic, the baseboard has the aesthetical function of covering the void between the wall surface and the floor but also the practical function of preventing dust and other particles from accumulating, and even avoiding that a passerby gets hurt from accidentally kicking or scraping it.

Because of its undeniable role, it became hard to build homes without using baseboards, so homeowners included the decorative function to the baseboard definition. It became common to think of it as part of the home design, adding patterns or contrasting colors and material in relation to the flooring or the wall.

Baseboards are applied after the floor is completely installed, usually by nailing, screwing or even gluing with an adhesive tape. Baseboards rarely require maintenance - but that's until a flood hits your house. Then, chances are it rots the whole thing and you need to fully replace it. But you know better, you've informed yourself, so you have flood insurance and they'll pay for that. Right? Right?

Sometimes baseboards have a large intersection from which springs the house’s heating system. Called baseboard heater, they usually are electrical and homeowners love it because they are very discreet.

Real Estate Tips:

The base of your quest for a new home (or to sell your current home) is a real estate agent. Find one that can help you in The OFFICIAL Real Estate Agent Directory®

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Real Estate Terms

Rule stating that the monthly mortgage payment, property taxes, and insurance should not exceed 25% of a family's monthly gross income, or about 35% for a Federal Housing Administration ...

Expecting or looking forward to something happening. ...

Federal agency that aids veterans of the armed forces. For example, it guarantees a home loan for up to a predetermined dollar amount or percentage of the loan balance, whichever is less. ...

3D Printed Homes are basically homes that were printed via 3D Printers. Though semantically the phrase is pretty obvious and straightforward, there’s a lot we need to contextualize ...

Anything that has physical substance and form, such as land and buildings. ...

Predetermined price for a contract that will be the same irrespective of the actual costs incurred to complete it. This contract is advantageous to the buyer because he knows beforehand ...

Permits oral evidence to augment a written contract in certain cases. ...

Also called "Grey Shell, "Bare Shell," and "Artic Shell," a Cold Shell could be described as the more radical version of a Vanilla Shell. So, what does precisely the Cold Shell definition ...

A wall or roof which extends beyond a lower wall. ...

Popular Real Estate Questions