What You Need to Know About Skirting Boards

Skirting boards are often overlooked, but essential part of designing a room. They form the junctions between materials and can be great for covering untidy or uneven joins. They also help protect the wall from marks and damage caused by moving furniture and vacuuming.

You can’t take a ‘one size fits all’ approach when it comes to choosing your skirting boards. On the other hand, what if you already have skirting boards but want to paint them, or even remove them? Here we tell you everything you need to know about skirting boards. 

• The profile and shape –  Some styles are more intricate and detailed – particularly great for traditional period homes. Other styles are more versatile and can fit within any home, especially if you’re going for a clean, modern look and feel. The shape of your skirting board will really depend on the profile of the wall – flat to the wall, round or curved. 

• The height – If you’re replacing an existing skirting board you’ll probably be looking to match the height. If you’re working with newly plastered walls however, the world is your oyster! Height is very much down to personal preference and style, the only thing to bear in mind is pipes and plug sockets that may get in the way.

• The length – You’ll probably want to choose the longest length but don’t forget to consider whether you can get it in the room! Shorter lengths are obviously easier to manage.

• The thickness – Thin skirting boards will give you more floor space, however, if you’re going for a tall skirting board it’s likely that you’ll want a fairly thick one too. 

• The finish – A primed skirting board often means it being coated in white paint, which allows for a smoother finish. An unprimed skirting board will require more work before you are ready to paint but will be better protected from dust and damp. 

• The material – From MDF to hardwood and softwood – the choices are endless. MDF is the cheapest option, but not always the most durable and can be damaged easier than a hardwood option. Read about the types of skirting board materials here.

Fitting skirting boards can be a difficult job if you don’t know how to do it. It takes careful planning and precision. We’ve written a full guide to fitting skirting boards.

Not all skirting boards need painting. For example, oak skirting boards come in a luxury golden brown that would look great in any property. However, painted skirting boards is becoming more and more popular, with many homeowners wanting a bespoke look and feel. 

If you’re fitting brand new skirting, we’d recommend painting it before you fix it to the wall. Our tulip skirting board is ideal for painting as it has a smooth surface, and does not have a resin that will bleed through the paint. On the other hand, if you’re painting skirting boards that are already affixed to the wall, the best thing to do is to pull the carpet back.  Either way, you’ll need to ensure the surface is clean and use tape for a professional finish.

The best way to clean your skirting boards is to start by dusting with a cloth. Then use your vacuum cleaner to go over it and catch any bits you may have missed with the cloth, before wiping it down with warm soapy water. Go back over them with clean water to make sure no soap gets left to set. 

We’ve written a whole guide on how to remove your skirting boards, as it is a lengthy process that needs to be carried out carefully. You can read our step by step instructions, here.

We hope you now know feel more comfortable with the important things that there are to know about skirting boards! If you have any more questions contact our skirting board experts, or, order free skirting board samples on our website before making a decision.