Matt
How to choose the right material for your skirting board
Today, in just about everything you can think of, actually choosing something is hard work as a number of styles and ranges exist. Even something as simple as choosing a loaf of bread can be difficult as there are many brands, different ingredients, gluten-free etc. The same is true of skirting boards. Contrary to what many people might think, skirting boards are not a ‘one thing fits all’ concept so it is useful to know the different types and their properties. In this article, we will explore this point.
MDF skirting
MDF skirting is widely stocked and often the preferred choice. This type of skirting board generally comes in two types: either ‘pre-primed’ or ‘pre-finished.’ Pre-primed is ideal if you want to decorate and colour your skirting board to your own taste later. The handy thing to remember about MDF skirting is the durability of it. This type of skirting board does not warp or swell easily making it a popular buy for people who do not want any fuss or hard work. MDF skirting is generally a cheap option and is again popular for people who are on budgets.
Softwood skirting
One of the differences between this and MDF is that softwood skirting can be susceptible to a greater movement which can put people off using it. That said softwood skirting does have its own advantages over MDF. Simply put you can more or less do anything with softwood skirting. It can be varnished, sanded down completely to be ‘decorated’ again after etc. This too makes softwood skirting popular as it will probably save money in the long run as it becomes less likely it will need to be ripped out and replaced. Softwood skirting also tends to cover a greater range of styles (and bespoke styles too) meaning it is ideal if you are looking for something fancier.
Hardwood skirting
We’ve mentioned softwood skirting so it’s only fair to mention the hardwood variety as well. As the same suggests this type is very resilient and becomes a good choice if you want it to withstand any knocks meaning damage and accidents are less likely. Hardwood skirting is normally a pre-ordered product and is made to exactly suit the customer’s requirements/desire. Due to this, hardwood skirting normally attracts a higher price as it is seen as more bespoke. The end result is often worth the extra payment, however. Fitting hardwood skirting is also more difficult than MDF or softwood so be aware of this if you are thinking of choosing this material.
In addition to the above, remember there are different styles and patterns (profiles) of skirting boards, and this will be considered in a later article.
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