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In-Depth Product Guide

Baseboard, Molding, and Trim Guide - Types, Prices, Pros and Cons

When it comes to finishing a home, the baseboard that connects your flooring to the walls, the trim around windows and doors, and even the crown molding at the ceiling are essential to design details that will offer an exquisiteness feel of your home. For example, even if you have a magnificent bay window looking onto a truly unique nature setting, that window runs the risk of losing its attractiveness without the right trim option. Similarly, a beautifully finished natural wood floor can look disagreeable when the wrong type of baseboard is chosen. Baseboard, trim, and molding also have essential functions. For example, they cover joints between different types of surfaces and angles where leaks can occur and protect walls from water and other types of potential damage.

When browsing through baseboard options, molding, and trim offered at your local hardware store, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. The sheer amount of options, textures, sizes and materials can leave your head spinning. However, for folks interested in home sustainability, there are also several considerations related to these finishing touches that need to be considered. Below, we offer a complete rundown on the pros and cons of several different types of baseboards, molding, and trim options for your home.

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Tobias Roberts

By Tobias Roberts, Rise Writer

Mar 20, 2025 · 4 min read

solid wood baseboard
Photo Credit: ArchiExpo

What Is a Solid Wood Baseboard?

As is often the case, your home's most natural option is often the most attractive option. Solid wood baseboard, trim, and especially molding will bring an organic, natural feel into your home. Hardwood options won't warp over time and very rarely crack. Since many of these solid wood pieces aren't primed, they require a bit more work on your part. If knots in the wood are present, this also will present an extra challenge during installation. Of course, solid wood for any construction activity is almost always a bit more expensive than other options. 

Solid wood baseboards, molding, and trim allow you to decide on a consistent color pattern throughout your home. Of course, you will want all of these finishing details to flow together, and since solid wood takes well to a variety of wood stains, you can choose a stain color that coordinates well with the rest of your interior design. 

On a sustainability level, wood is a natural and renewable resource. Therefore, it's important to find suppliers dedicated to supporting sustainable forestry practices in the products they source.

How Much Do Solid Wood Baseboards Cost?

There is an extensive range of solid wood prices, depending on the type of wood you use and the baseboard's height. You can expect to pay around $0.85 per linear foot for a 3-inch pine baseboard and up to $2.50 per linear foot for 6-inch oak or other hardwood baseboards.

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How Much Do Joint Pine Baseboards Cost?

Jointed pine baseboard can be as inexpensive as $1.50 per linear foot and up to $3.00 per linear foot. 

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How Much Do MDF Baseboards Cost?

MDF baseboads are one of the cheaper options available, with prices ranging from $0.65 to $0.90 per linear foot. 

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How Much Do PVC Baseboards Cost?

Depending on the style and height, there is a wide range of prices associated with this option ranging between $2.00 and $6.00 per linear foot.

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How Much Do Tropical Wood Baseboards Cost?

You can expect to pay between $3.00 and $8.50 per linear foot for quality tropical hardwood baseboards. 

Tobias Roberts

Rise Writer

Expert. Practical. Sustainable.

Article by

Tobias Roberts

Tobias runs an agroecology farm and a natural building collective in the mountains of El Salvador. He specializes in earthen construction methods and uses permaculture design methods to integrate structures into the sustainability of the landscape.

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