10/14/2026
What Is Shoe Mold / Quarter Round
A small, curved molding installed along the baseboard to cover the expansion gap at the edge of certain types of flooring.
What's the Difference Between Shoe Molding and Quarter Round?
They may look similar, but they're not quite the same!
Quarter Round – Just as the name suggests, it's shaped like one-quarter of a circle. It's equally tall and wide, giving it a fuller, more rounded appearance.
Shoe Molding – Also called base shoe, it's generally taller than it is wide, with a slimmer, more subtle profile. It sits closer to the baseboard for a less noticeable finish.
Which is better? Both are used along baseboards to cover the expansion gap often required with new flooring. Shoe molding typically creates a sleeker look, while quarter round offers a slightly larger profile. We install much more shoe mold for our clients.