Everything You Need To Know About Fitting Skirting Board

14 Jul.,2025

 

Everything You Need To Know About Fitting Skirting Board

Everything You Need To Know About Fitting Skirting Board

Skirting boards are the perfect way to elevate a room, adding character and elegance. They can transform a simple, plain wall into something fun and appealing. 

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With our easy guide, you don’t need to be a pro or have any previous home design experience to carry out this process. 

All you need is a can-do attitude and the right tools and equipment! Whilst you’re here, browse our skirting board products for the perfect look.

Choosing the Right Skirting Board

Choosing one option from a range of choices isn’t an easy task. You will need to decide which material and style will work best with your home's interior and your personal needs. 

However, Mersey Flooring is here to simplify it for you. Follow these guidelines for an easy pick:

Types of Skirting Board

  • MDF: Cost-effective, easy to work with, and comes in various designs.
  • Pine: A softwood that is affordable and can be painted or stained.
  • Oak: A hardwood option that offers durability and a premium look.
  • Plastic/PVC: Waterproof and resistant to wear. Perfect for damp areas like bathrooms and kitchens.

Styles of Skirting Board

  • Traditional: Features moulding and more intricate designs.
  • Modern: Simple designs with minimalistic patterns and clean lines.

Size and Proportions

Consider factors such as room and ceiling height, and any existing decor or furniture in your home that may clash with or prevent an easy installation. 

Opt for a thickness proportional to the height and surface of your wall. Incorporate extra length into your purchase to account for errors with cutting, room corners, and any damage to the skirting board. 

The Tools and Materials You Will Need

  • Mitre saw
  • Tape measure
  • Spirit level
  • Hammer
  • Coping saw
  • Utility knife
  • Adhesive gun
  • Sanding paper 
  • Nails/screws
  • Skirting board
  • Wood filler
  • Paint and primer
  • Caulk 

PPE: To remain safe, you will need safety goggles, ear protection, gloves, and a dusk mask to prevent injury or illness.

Preparing the Area

  1. Remove old skirting: Use a utility knife to cut the top and bottom edges of the skirting board. Then, insert the pry bar gently between the wall and skirting board to detach it. Use the claw hammer to remove any old nails or screws.
  2. Clean and prep the wall: Use a damp cloth with mild detergent to wipe down the wall. To remove mould or mildew, use 1 part bleach and 3 parts water. Remove any old wallpaper and chip any paint on the wall.
  3. Measuring and marking: Measure the total perimeter of the room to determine the total length you will need. Do this by measuring each wall separately and using a level to ensure that all horizontal lines are straight. Mark vertical lines where the skirting board will end, countering in corners for accuracy.

The Installation Process

  1. Cutting the skirting: Mark the direction of any angled cuts to avoid mistakes during cutting. Using a saw, measure the blade up with the lines and saw smoothly and steadily. 
  2. Fitting Corners: For internal corners, attach the first square-cut piece, ensuring it is level and straight. Then, fit the coped piece tightly against the first, using adhesive or nails and checking for gaps. For external corners, cut both pieces at a 45-degree angle to meet seamlessly in the corner. Ensure they align perfectly, and attach both pieces using adhesive or fixings for a tight fit.
  3. Attaching the Skirting: Ensure the wall is dry and debris-free. Apply adhesive evenly along the back of the skirting board and align it with previous markings on the wall. For nails, attach them evenly along the skirting board and hammer them in place securely. Avoid placing them too close to the ends to prevent splitting.
  4. Sealing Edges: Use a utility knife to cut the caulk tube's tip at a 45-degree angle. Then, insert the tube into the caulking gun and apply caulk evenly along the edge where the skirting board meets the wall. Use a caulk smoother or a damp finger for a smooth finish, ensuring all gaps and joints are filled. 

Which Types of Skirting Board Are Best to Buy?

Investing in skirting boards is a great way to protect your walls and add a unique flair to your home. You might be surprised by the wide variety of options that will be available to you, once you start shopping around. From ogee to torus and chamfered to plastic, the choices are endless.

Depending on your personal taste, your house’s interior layout, and the height of your walls, you will have to choose a skirting board that provides not only protection but that also looks great. To help you choose the best type we’ve created a complete list of all the options that will be available to you.

MATERIAL

Firstly, you should narrow down your choice by looking at the different materials used to create the board. Common materials used are plastic, wood, hardwood, and softwood board (MDF).

Plastic units, which are usually made from a UPVC, are a cheap alternative to wooden skirting boards. They are more affordable because they can be mass-produced. Unfortunately, this results in a lesser quality product. UPVC makes the installation difficult and can pose other problems for the future. Watch this video on how to install your own skirting boards at home.

Wooden boards, whether hard or soft, can be varnished and painted in any color. Opting for a wooden product will probably be your best bet when looking at durability and longevity. Not only are they much easier to install, but they also create a naturally pleasing aesthetic in the home.

Hardwoods like oak is an eco-friendly option and will be available from credible suppliers. It’s important that consumers check with the supplier to ensure that they are certified and that wood comes from managed and licensed forests.

Builders will always advise consumers to invest in wooden skirting boards. The wood creates beautiful textures and shapes that can add a classy aesthetic to a room by only adding a varnish. Hardwood is more expensive but can last a very long time when regularly treated.

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Softwood is a cheaper alternative but is prone to warping over time when exposed to damp weather. Learn more about different materials used in skirting here: https://www.residencestyle.com/what-are-different-types-of-skirting-board-to-choose-from/

PROFILES

Once you’ve decided on the kind of material you want your product to be made out of, you can decide on the profile. The profile of a skirting board refers to the overall shape. There are four main types of shapes that consumers can choose from; torus, ogee, bullnose, and chamfered.

Torus

The torus profile features a half crescent moon shape that fills almost one-fourth of the top of the board. The rest of the profile is a sleek downward slant.

Without going to over the top, the torus profile still provides a bit of design flair to a room.

Ogee

The ogee profile creates three different sections on the board and is more ornate than the torus profile. The top part featuring a square shape, the middle part a half-moon crescent that stops in the middle of the board, and the bottom half going down at a steep slant.

It’s a classic design that’s perfect for hallways, dining rooms, living rooms, and bedrooms that want to feature a timeless look.

Bullnose

This design is as simple as it is clean. It features a slight rounding at the top of the board. Without any elaborate carvings, the board has a straight line to the floor. It’s perfect for modern rooms and small cottages that desire a simple finish.

You can order bullnose skirting boards direct to your door from online or through timber mills, as the design is simple and easy to produce.

Chamfered

Similar to the bullnose profile, a chamfered skirting has a rounding at the top. It gives a little bit more character with a slight rounding in the middle that gives it a plump appeal.

This profile provides a little bit more flair without being as flamboyant or ornate as the ogee or torus design.

Once you have chosen the material and profile features, you are free to pick any kind of finish you would like. Whether you want to paint the skirting the same colors as your wall, leave it naturally wooden, or go for a bolder approach by painting it a different color; one thing is for sure, skirting boards can bring the look of a room together.

For more pvc skirting boardinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.