Base moulding is the wood moulding that is attached to the bottom of the wall next to the floor. The base moulding generally is slightly thinner than the casing, to allow for a better finished look. Baseboards are the mouldings used to cover up the gap that occurs between the wall bottoms and floor.

The baseboard gives the room an impression of solidity, while protecting the walls from kicks, vacuum cleaner and furniture scrapes and bumps. Baseboard, base trim, whatever terms that you may choose, base moulding can be found in almost every room of a home that has been built since the 18th century. Influenced by the architectural design of the Greek and Roman period, the base moulding represents what would have been considered a part of the pedestal in that design. Base moulding not only serves function, but appearance as well.