Baseboards

Yes, just use plain boards. I used 5/8" x 6" pine. My floors weren't entirely level so I also used a thin 1/4" deep by 1" tall strip as a modern "quarter round" where the baseboards meet the floor. Keep in mind dust settles on top of the baseboard since it's flat so don't make it too thick. If you want a little extra detail/design element I've seen where there's a quarter inch reveal added about 3/4" down from the top, and/or where the outside top edge is bevelled about a third-half the way in at 45 degrees.

get yourself the "dykes" handbook, its got all the baseboard types that you could ever want to see.

Mcdougaa,

We generally use 4" MDF that we have made from MDF panels. Your contractor can get them at any lumber yard

Nothing screams "cheap" louder than "simple, square" baseboard.

Why even bother?

Dykes is the way to go.

My contractor offered me to make square baseboards as it is being used in very modern looking apartments. He brought samples from Dykes and the square baseboard he made up himself. I thought the square baseboard was too severe and opted for one of the less "fussy" 3.5 inch high versions of the traditional baseboards.

Please remember to check that the new baseboard covers the ends of the wood floor where it meets the wall. I didn't realize that my old baseboard sloped off at an angle. The new one was perpendicular to the wall and exposed some gaps in the wood. So I added a thin square edged strip instead of quarter round.

Thanks for all the comments. I've been through Dykes & several other catalogs, and nobody does square. I think the MDF sounds good for me - maybe 4" or 5".

Mcdougaa,

We make our own now but we used to have Dykes cut them down from us. Tell them you want 4" x 1/2" and they will cut them for you

NYCMatt,

Cheap?

The clean and sleek look is now cheap?

It's neither "clean" nor "sleek" just just slap a piece of wood at the bottom of the wall.