Moldings 101

By Floor & Decor

Moldings are a necessary finishing touch for many projects, like making floor transitions seamless between two spaces, bridging gaps in flooring heights, or framing the border of a room. They’re separated into three categories: floor moldings, stair moldings, and wall moldings. Here’s a starter guide to help you navigate the selection with ease.

Flush Reducers

[Flush reducers](https://www.flooranddecor.com/prefinished-moldings), like the name suggests, create a completely flush transition from thick flooring like hardwood to thinner types of flooring such as tile or vinyl.

Flush Reducer

T-Molds

[T-molds](https://www.flooranddecor.com/prefinished-moldings) are used to join two floors at the same height, whether it’s different types of hardwood or other flooring materials.

T Mold

Baby Thresholds

[Baby thresholds](https://www.flooranddecor.com/prefinished-moldings) are used to meet flooring with a vertical surface such as sliding doors, French doors, or fireplaces where a transition to a different flooring is not needed. The baby threshold provides a clean look and acts as a cover for floorboard expansion gaps without obstructing doors.

Baby Threshold

Overlapping Reducer

Overlapping reducers compensate for floor transitions at higher levels and between different materials.

Overlapping Reducer

Curbs

[Curbs](https://www.flooranddecor.com/search?q=curbs&search-button=&lang=default&tab=search-tabs-products) are raised finishing pieces that are installed on top of a flooring transition. They are common barriers between shower floors and bathroom floors to contain water.

Curbs

Stair Moldings

Starting a [stair project](https://www.flooranddecor.com/stair-parts) can feel like a climb. But with all the stair parts you need available in one place; you can take your look to the next level in no time.

Overlapping Stair Nose

An [overlapping stair nose](https://www.flooranddecor.com/prefinished-moldings) creates a durable transition from the floor to the edge of the stair step or ledge. There is a slight difference in elevation between the stair step and the nose.

Overlapping Stair Nose

Flush Stair Nose

A [flush stair nose](https://www.flooranddecor.com/prefinished-moldings) creates a smooth and seamless finish on the edge of your step where the flooring meets the transition. Both are at the same elevation with no discernable difference in height.

Flush Stair Nose

Base Molding

[Base molding](https://www.flooranddecor.com/unfinished-moldings), also known as a baseboard, is the board covering the bottom of the interior wall. It’s installed in the joint where the wall and the floor meet to cover expansion gaps and uneven, rough-cut flooring material edges.

Base Molding

Shoe Molding

[Shoe molding](https://www.flooranddecor.com/moldings.html) is smaller than base molding. It conceals cut lines on tile and stone installations when there is no need to cover expansion gaps.

Shoe Molding

Quarter Rounds

[Quarter rounds](https://www.flooranddecor.com/moldings.html) are placed between floors and vertical wall surfaces to cover expansion gaps or conceal cuts similar to shoe molding.

Quarter Rounds

Casing Molding

[Casing molding](https://www.flooranddecor.com/unfinished-moldings) is used to create the frame for a doorway or window and is available in many styles, from traditional to modern, to suit the design of a space and add an architectural element.

Casing Molding

Chair Rails

[Chair rails](https://www.flooranddecor.com/search?q=chair+rail&search-button=&lang=default&tab=search-tabs-products) are traditionally installed about three feet from the floor and were originally used to protect walls from chair damage in dining areas. Now, they’re used as a unique element to add character to a space and are available in wood, ceramic, and stone options that are ideal for bathrooms.

Chair Rails

Sills

[Sills ](https://www.flooranddecor.com/search?q=window+sills&prefn1=productSubtype&prefv1=Sills+%26+Thresholds&tab=search-tabs-products)are added to the base of the window as a ledge. Stone and ceramic sills are ideal for humid spaces like the bathroom or shower windows.

Window Sills

Want to find the right type of molding for your space? Start your search [here](https://www.flooranddecor.com/finishing-pieces.html), where you can shop baseboards and moldings by material and use.