Differing size of Baseboard Trim offered at the Hardware store

pk1023

Hey all,

I had one of those "interesting" Saturdays where you spend more time back and forth to the hardware store than you do on your project!

I was doing baseboard and had first purchased 3-1/4 by 9/16ths base at installed it. I went on well and I went back for more. I ended up not being careful and got 3 by 7/16ths base!

Well it was obvious when I went to paint the base coat that I had 2 different size pieces!

So here's my question, why 2 types of baseboard with such similar measurements?

Well I say that but, the 9/16ths stuff that I liked was twice as much! 9.60 for an 8 footer instead of 4.80 of the 7/16ths stuff.

So what's the beef here? As I have learned how to finish living spaces, I find so many situations like this. It's like there's a whole tome of knowledge just passed down by experience. Whether is father to son, master to apprentice, it always seems the same. You just kinda learn it as you go.

What gives?!?!

buletbob

It sounds as tho the hardware store bought from two diffrent mills.

pk1023

Well I should mention it was at Lowes, and the base was labeled differently, and in seperate bins.

It was like it was meant to be an econmony size and a standard size.

It was normal everday base, with the shell cut on the top.

Still can't figure out why 2 sizes!

jerryh3

Were they both solid wood?

pk1023

Yeah both were Primed Pine, the MDF section had a different color on the labels! Cause you know, somebody at lowes HQ sits around all day trying to think how to make it easier to tell the stuff apart!

I shouldn't make fun though, I need that help! But, anyway, it was both Primed Pine and it was right next to each other!

HWConstruction

9/16 x 3-1/4" is a standard or industry size. You can go to any lumber yard or box store and buy it. The smaller 7/16 x 3" is a cheaper specialty size made just for the big box. Having said that, if you ever need another piece and the big box is no longer around you're screwed.

pk1023

HRMM, how interesting. I kinda figured it was something like that.

Now does that mean it's bad to be lazy and use Lowes? I mean the place is like 3.2 miles from my house, I get there, pull under the contractor entrace loading dock, get my supplies in lumber, and NEVER even see the regular store customers! And it's a country road to get home, so I can but 10 Ft lumber in my 5ft bed and not fear I will hurt someone!

I always wonder if I'd been better off to go to 84 Lumber, but it was a good 10 miles from my house!

HWConstruction

Lowes is fine for a lot of things. I personally NEVER buy dimensional lumber or trim from them. By the time it takes you to look through all the lumber to get good straight boards or trim, it's not worth it. I might get 2 or 3 bad pieces of lumber out of 100 at the lumber yard and the cost is comparable to Lowes. And a lot less frustration, traffic and better service at the lumber yard.