Definition: Board running the length of a wall, at the bottom. Baseboard typically ranges from 1 1/2" to 5 1/4" high; is composed of wood; and usually is painted white. The baseboard serves to cover up the gap between floor and the bottom end of the drywall (because drywall is purposely not resting directly on the floor but is about half an inch higher than the floor). The installation of baseboards is a type of finish carpentry.
Baseboard
By Lee Wallender, About.com
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