Most quarter round is of small gauge and relatively flexible. It is typically used as a decorative build-up element in mantels and other architectural features, and at the lower edge of baseboard to hide any gaps between it and a floor. Base shoe is used similarly in flooring applications.Click to see full answer. Also asked, is quarter round necessary?If you don’t leave a vertical gap your wood can end up getting all warped as it expands and the pieces press up against each other. If you leave the base molding in place and install new flooring, you must leave a gap in front of your existing base molding. That space now needs to be covered by quarter round molding.Likewise, should quarter round match baseboard or floor? If you are laying quarter round on a ceramic, vinyl, or stone tile floor, you should paint the quarter round to match the baseboard molding. Another exception would be when the baseboard is an authentic stained wood itself, in which case the quarter round should be stained to match the baseboard molding. Subsequently, one may also ask, what is the difference between base shoe and quarter round? Shoe molding is much the same as quarter round, having the same 90° angle on the backside but instead of being a perfect quarter radius, its profile is a bit more squat. Using shoe molding gives the floor installer more latitude in their end cuts and also allows the trim carpenter to hide un-level floors.Do you use quarter round on tile floors?Quarter round trim is a thin tile that will also hide tile’s unglazed edge and is used to turn a corner or to finish edge of installation. A flatliner piece is primarily decorative. It can be used on the edges of your backsplash or as a decorative accent within the tile layout.