Baseboards behind appliances?

14 years ago

When I got my kitchen renovated a few months ago, the workers did not install any baseboards on the wall behind the appliances, nor on the side walls towards the back as these areas are not visible with everything in place. I am going to have baseboards installed in the rest of the apartment and have been wondering whether I should have them installed in these areas in the kitchen as well. I see no reason why not to other than the added work for the installer. Also, I've been wondering lately if by having these areas uncovered, vermin can come in through the walls..?

One area I'm also wondering about (but it is not in the kitchen) is the space behind the HVAC unit, which is attached to an exterior wall. I don't think baseboards have ever been placed here except the few inches that are visible.

To help me decide whether to ask the installer to install BB in these places, could anyone tell me reasons why he should (I suppose there are no reasons why he should not)?

Featured Answer

hags00

14 years ago

You missed the point Brickeyee, it is a hole for the fridge and range with an unfinished edge at the bottom, ugly drywall of different lengths, seams of tape and mud and probably paint and primer that doesn't quite cover all the drywall. It is shoddy craftmanship, you finish all areas of a house that can ever be seen.

We are talking about $5-$20 of trim boards and unless you have sunk your outlets and gas lines into the wall, baseboards in the rear of refrigerators and ranges do not make appliances stick out further. Personally, even if I could, I wouldn't push either appliance right up to the rear or the fridge up to the side walls due to lack of air circulation. Standard baseboard trims are 3/8 - 5/8" thick which is a nice clearance for refrigerator sides and in most cases you will automatically have more in the rear of both appliances with plugs, gas and water lines.

I put them in all kitchens I do and rarely see a house without them. It tells me the builder cut corners.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (11)

User
14 years ago
You mean like the refrigerator, washer & dryer? Mine had baseboard on those places.
angie_diy
14 years ago
Well, here is a possible reason not to: If you put baseboards behind the fridge, the fridge may stick out an extra inch or so compared to if you hadn't.
Related Professionals
Evansville Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Wichita Falls Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Superior Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Wheeling Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Murrieta Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Pine Bluff Kitchen Remodelers · Crestview Kitchen Remodelers · New London Kitchen Remodelers · Elgin Kitchen Remodelers · Crestview Custom Countertops · Natchitoches Custom Countertops · Clarksville Custom Countertops · Nashville Custom Countertops · Lake Havasu City Custom Countertops · Victoria Custom Countertops
User
14 years ago
No baseboards. They will cause the appliances to stick out from the walls too much. If you are concerned with vermin, put some boric acid into the wall and seal it with backer rod and caulk.
ginny20
14 years ago
I think I might have baseboard behind my fridge, but now that you mention it, I don't know why. I can't imagine that it will ever be seen. It would be better without, as Angie says.
hags00
14 years ago
Baseboards are generally installed along the drywall portions the refrigerator alcove and the back wall of the range area if it is not built in.

The main reason is on some home sales, those appliances are considered portable, not built in, and may or may not be part of the sale. If a house is empty and those appliances are not there it is a very unfinished look.

Personally, if that is not an issue for you and you are not using them to retain floating floors, they can be left off.
brickeyee
14 years ago
" If a house is empty and those appliances are not there it is a very unfinished look. "

Horrible.

A hole for the stove or refrigerator.

If you do not care about losing the space by pushing the appliance forward it is still a waste of money.
localeater
14 years ago
I wouldn't do it, with my luck when they moved the appliances to put in the baseboard they would gouge the floors.
desertsteph
14 years ago
" I wouldn't push either appliance right up to the rear or the fridge up to the side walls due to lack of air circulation. Standard baseboard trims are 3/8 - 5/8" thick which is a nice clearance for refrigerator sides and in most cases you will automatically have more in the rear of both appliances with plugs, gas and water lines. "

yep, I'd want 'em there. I don't have any baseboards that are 1" thick. Both my stove and fridge plug in behind them - there has to be room for those anyway.
angie_diy
14 years ago
FWIW, I built a recess for my icemaker water line. My gas line for the range comes out i near the floor and so fits between the floor and the bottom of range.
kingbrendanofmesa
7 years ago
***IMO*** Base should run behind all of your appliances, especially in the kitchen. It should also be properly sealed to prevent moisture from entering the walls and prevent insects from entering the home. This practice varies from area to area so make sure you check your local building codes. Older structures may differ and people who do remodels for a living may not agree. Personally I think it looks horrible and extremely unprofessional without it. I would visit new model homes in your area and see how a REPUTABLE builder currently does it. Good Luck! Always beware that cutting corners de-values your biggest investment.