Although it would seem that baseboard was developed to protect the wall, on the north coast almost all base mouldings were made from redwood. If protection had been the primary concern a harder wood could have been used. For this and other reasons, it seems that in addition to protection base moulding was designed to beautify and balance the place where floor and wall join. Baseboards can range in size from 2 inches to 14 inches or more with a base cap on top. Any design works here, and with an added 1/4 round shoe at the bottom it can be fancier still.

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