How to Choose the Perfect Skirting Boards for Your Home

Skirting boards may seem like a minor detail in the grand scheme of home renovation, but they play a critical role in adding the finishing touch to any room. Whether you're a home renovator or a builder in the Australian construction industry, knowing how to choose the perfect skirting boards can significantly impact the overall aesthetic of your project. Skirting boards not only protect walls from damage, but they also provide a seamless transition between the walls and the floors, adding character and charm to any space.

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In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the key factors to consider when selecting the perfect skirting boards for your home, how to balance style with function, and the future trends to keep in mind.

Introduction

Skirting boards serve both practical and aesthetic purposes. In addition to protecting walls from scuffs, they enhance the design of your space by complementing the architectural style and overall look of the home. If you’re a home renovator or builder, the right skirting boards can tie a room together and add the finishing touch that elevates your project from good to great.

But with so many materials, styles, and sizes to choose from, selecting the perfect skirting boards can be overwhelming. This post will guide you through the process, ensuring that your choice not only meets your design goals but also fits the functional needs of the space.

Background Information

Skirting boards, also known as baseboards or mopboards, date back to the 18th century when they were primarily used to hide the gaps between uneven walls and floors. Over time, they evolved into a decorative feature in both modern and period homes. In Australia, skirting boards remain an essential part of home construction and renovation, often reflecting the architectural style of the period.

From simple, clean lines in contemporary homes to ornate designs in heritage houses, skirting boards have undergone significant changes in both function and style. Today, the trend is shifting towards custom skirting boards that can be tailored to match a home’s unique aesthetic, thanks to advancements in manufacturing and profile matching technologies.

Key Components to Consider When Choosing Skirting Boards

When selecting skirting boards for your home, several factors come into play. Let’s dive into the key components that will help you make an informed decision.

1. Material 

The material you choose for your skirting boards can greatly impact their durability, cost, and overall look. Here are some common options:

· Timber: Timber skirting boards are a classic choice and can be stained, varnished, or painted to match your home’s decor. They’re durable and versatile, making them ideal for both traditional and modern homes.

· MDF (Medium-Density Fibreboard): MDF is a popular, cost-effective alternative to timber. It’s easy to paint and less prone to warping, though it may not be as durable as solid timber in high-traffic areas.

· PVC: For wet areas like bathrooms, PVC skirting boards are a practical choice. They’re resistant to moisture and can withstand frequent cleaning, though they may not offer the same aesthetic appeal as timber.

· Custom Timber Mouldings: For heritage homes or those looking for a unique finish, custom timber mouldings offer the best of both worlds. They provide the elegance of timber with the ability to create bespoke profiles that match the original architectural details of your home.

2. Profile Design

The profile, or the shape of the skirting board, is one of the most important aesthetic factors. The profile design should match or complement your home’s architectural style. Common skirting board profiles include:

· Bullnose: A simple, rounded profile that suits modern, minimalist homes.

· Ogee: A more decorative profile, perfect for traditional homes.

· Colonial: Often used in heritage or period homes, this profile is detailed and intricate, adding character to older properties.

· Square-Edge: A sleek, modern option that works well in contemporary spaces.

Custom skirting boards can be designed to replicate the exact profile of existing mouldings in older homes, ensuring continuity and preserving the historical integrity of the property.

3. Height

The height of the skirting board is another crucial factor. Taller skirting boards make a bold statement and are often used in older homes with high ceilings. On the other hand, shorter skirting boards can create a more streamlined look and are well-suited to modern homes with lower ceilings.

A general rule of thumb is to choose skirting boards that are proportional to the room’s height. For example:

· Low Ceilings (2.4m or less): Skirting boards between 100mm and 150mm in height work well.

· Standard Ceilings (2.4m to 2.7m): Boards between 150mm and 200mm are ideal.

· High Ceilings (Above 2.7m): Taller skirting boards, ranging from 200mm to 300mm, add grandeur and balance to the space.

4. Colour

While natural timber skirting boards offer warmth and texture, painted boards provide versatility. White is the most popular colour choice as it adds a crisp, clean finish and works well with most interior design styles. However, darker colours are becoming more popular for a bold, modern look. Choosing a contrasting colour for your skirting boards can create a striking visual impact, while blending them with the wall colour can make the room feel larger.

Benefits of Choosing the Perfect Skirting Boards for Your Home

Selecting the right skirting boards offers several advantages beyond their visual appeal. Let’s look at some of the major benefits for both individuals and businesses.

1. Aesthetic Enhancement

The right skirting boards can tie a room together, providing a polished, cohesive look. They can highlight architectural features, complement your home’s design, and even serve as a focal point in a room. Custom skirting boards, in particular, offer endless design possibilities, allowing you to match any period style or create a unique look that reflects your personal taste.

2. Protection for Walls

Skirting boards protect your walls from everyday wear and tear, including scuffs, knocks, and furniture damage. In high-traffic areas such as hallways and living rooms, durable skirting boards made from timber or MDF are particularly useful in maintaining the condition of your walls.

3. Increased Property Value

Investing in quality skirting boards, especially custom designs that match the period style of a home, can enhance the property’s overall value. Prospective buyers are often drawn to homes with well-thought-out details, and skirting boards are no exception. In heritage homes, accurate profile matching can preserve the property’s historical significance, further boosting its market appeal.

4. Flexibility in Design

With advancements in profile matching and customisation technologies, it’s easier than ever to create skirting boards that perfectly match your home’s design. Whether you’re restoring a heritage property or building a modern home, skirting boards can be tailored to your exact specifications, ensuring a perfect fit both aesthetically and functionally.

Challenges in Choosing Skirting Boards (and How to Overcome Them)

While choosing skirting boards might seem straightforward, several challenges can arise. Here are some common obstacles and practical solutions to ensure you make the right choice.

1. Finding the Right Profile

One of the most significant challenges, especially in heritage home renovations, is finding skirting boards that match the original design. Off-the-shelf options may not always be suitable, leading to a disjointed look.

Solution: Custom skirting boards and profile matching services can replicate any existing design or create new profiles tailored to your specifications. This ensures continuity in heritage homes and offers flexibility in modern builds.

2. Balancing Aesthetics and Functionality

It can be challenging to find skirting boards that balance aesthetic appeal with practicality. Some profiles may look beautiful but may not be durable enough for high-traffic areas.

Solution: Consider the material and finish when choosing your skirting boards. Timber and MDF offer a balance of beauty and durability, making them ideal for various rooms in the home.

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3. Cost Considerations

Custom skirting boards can be more expensive than standard options, especially if intricate designs or premium materials are required.

Solution: Weigh the long-term benefits of custom skirting boards against the initial investment. While they may cost more upfront, they can increase your home’s value and provide a level of detail that standard options cannot.

Future Trends in Skirting Boards

As interior design trends evolve, so too do the styles and materials used in skirting boards. Here are some future trends to watch for:

1. Sustainable Materials

With growing awareness of environmental issues, homeowners and builders are increasingly looking for sustainable options. Recycled or eco-friendly materials for skirting boards are becoming more popular, offering a green alternative without compromising on quality or style.

2. Minimalist Designs

In modern homes, the trend towards minimalism continues to grow. Skirting boards with clean, simple lines and understated profiles are becoming the go-to choice for contemporary spaces. Square-edge or shadow line skirting boards offer a sleek, modern look that complements minimalist interiors.

3. Technology-Driven Customisation

Advances in technology, such as CAD design and CNC machines, allow for precise customisation of skirting boards. Builders and renovators can now design skirting boards that perfectly match any architectural style or design preference. Additionally, augmented reality (AR) applications will soon allow homeowners to visualise different skirting board profiles in their space before making a final decision.

Choosing the perfect skirting boards for your home is about finding the right balance between aesthetics. For more information contact us today on (03) or

The installation of PVC skirting boards can be successfully carried out by yourself in your own home, which is an excellent solution for those who appreciate aesthetics and functionality of interiors. Isn’t it satisfying when you can transform your apartment with your own hands, bringing an elegant finish to it? The key to success lies in proper preparation and the use of the right tools, which guarantees a lasting and aesthetically pleasing result. It is worth paying attention to details, such as the proper fixing of skirting boards, securing expansion joints and masking electrical wiring. You can find out how to install PVC skirting boards yourself in our tutorial!

What will you learn from this article?

• What is the function of PVC skirting boards?
• What to pay attention to when choosing PVC skirting boards?
• How to carry out the installation of PVC skirting boards?
• How to check if the PVC skirting board is well installed?
• What to pay special attention to when fixing PVC skirting boards?

What is the function of PVC skirting boards?

PVC skirting boards play an extremely important role in any interior, combining functionality with aesthetics. Have you ever wondered how such a detail can completely change the appearance of a room? Skirting boards, especially those made of PVC, not only protect the lower parts of the walls from mechanical damage and dirt, but also mask expansion gaps. Installation of PVC skirting boards is simple, and their lightness and flexibility make them an ideal choice even for those who undertake this task for the first time.

Excellent protection against dirt

So what are the functions of PVC skirting boards? First of all, they play a protective role, protecting the walls from damage, as well as from dirt that may arise during daily use of the room. Thanks to them, the walls remain intact, which is especially important in places such as hallways or children’s rooms. Installation of PVC skirting boards is also important from the point of view of aesthetics – they hide any irregularities, as well as unsightly gaps between the floor and the wall, creating a uniform and elegant line.

Combination of functionality and elegance

In addition, skirting boards can act as a masking function for electrical wires, allowing to hide cables aesthetically, as well as safely. Nowadays, when minimalism and functionality are at a premium, such solutions are gaining popularity. Thus, the installation of PVC skirting boards is not only a step towards a better appearance of the interior, but also a practical solution that makes everyday life easier.

What to pay attention to when choosing PVC skirting boards?

Choosing the right PVC skirting boards can significantly affect the aesthetics and functionality of any interior. It is important to consider several important aspects that will help you make the best decision. Have you ever wondered what features of a skirting board are the most important? The proper fit of the moldings to the floor and their technical characteristics are just some of the elements to consider.

What is important when choosing PVC skirting boards?

• Matching the color of the interior – skirting boards should match the color of the walls and floor, creating a harmonious whole in the room.
• Ease of installation – when choosing skirting boards, it is worth paying attention to those that can be easily installed by yourself, for example, with the help of mounting glue or mounting pins.
• Resistance to mechanical damage – PVC moldings are usually resistant to scratches and impacts, which is important in areas exposed to frequent contact.
• Moisture resistance – PVC skirting boards are ideal for areas with high humidity, such as bathrooms and kitchens, as they do not absorb water.
• Electrical wires – many PVC skirting boards have space to hide electrical wires, which allows for aesthetic as well as safe distribution of cables in the room.
• Width and height of the molding – proper selection of the width, as well as the height of the molding to the dimensions of the room and the height of the walls provides an aesthetic appearance and full coverage of expansion gaps.
• High-quality plastic – moldings made of high-quality PVC are more durable, as well as resistant to external factors.
• Versatility – when choosing moldings, it is worth paying attention to their versatility and the possibility of using them in different rooms, regardless of their function.

PVC skirting boards are not only an aesthetic addition, but also a functional solution that protects walls from damage and hides wires. The right choice of skirting boards can significantly affect the appearance, as well as the comfort of the interior. If you want to learn more about installing PVC skirting boards, we encourage you to read the rest of our guide, where you will find detailed instructions and practical tips.

How to carry out the installation of PVC skirting boards?

Installing PVC skirting boards can be a simple and rewarding project that you can successfully carry out yourself at home. It is important to properly prepare for this task, having the necessary tools and materials at hand. At Mardom Decor, we’ll show you step-by-step how to install PVC skirting boards to achieve an aesthetically pleasing as well as durable result.

Tools and materials needed to install PVC skirting boards

To install PVC skirting boards you will need:

• mounting glue,
• mounting pins,
• PVC skirting boards,
• measuring tape or tape measure,
• hammer,
• PVC cutting knife,
• pencil,
• PVC cutting saw,
• drill,
• screws,
• a set of screwdrivers.

Installation of skirting boards step by step

Installation of PVC skirting boards is a task that can be done independently, even without specialized skills. However, it is important to prepare well for this process with the right tools and materials.

Below you will find detailed instructions that will gradually guide you through the entire process of installing skirting boards, ensuring an aesthetically pleasing and durable end result:

• preparing the substrate – make sure that the surface to which the skirting boards will be attached is clean, dry and free of dust and grease,
• measuring and cutting the moldings – measure the length of the walls and cut the skirting boards accordingly using a PVC cutting saw, remembering to take into account expansion gaps,
• marking out installation locations – mark the places where the moldings will be screwed or glued, using a pencil and a tape measure,
• drilling holes – in the designated places on the wall, drill holes for mounting dowels to ensure a solid fixing of the moldings,
• fixing the moldings with mounting pegs – place the mounting pegs in the drilled holes, and then screw the skirting boards in place, taking care to position them properly,
• use of mounting glue – if you choose the glue method, apply mounting glue to the inside of the molding and press it firmly against the wall until the glue sets,
• installing the moldings at the corners and ends – screw the moldings at the corners and ends of the walls, using screws and screwdrivers to ensure stability,
• stability check – make sure all the moldings are well attached and stable, and remove excess glue for an aesthetically pleasing finish,
• finish – check that all pieces are properly installed and the moldings are evenly adhered to the walls and floor.

By carrying out the installation of PVC skirting boards according to the above steps, you can be sure that the end result will be aesthetically pleasing and durable. Using the right tools and installation techniques, you can achieve a professional result even without specialized knowledge.

How to check if the PVC skirting board is properly installed?

Have you ever wondered how to check if a PVC skirting board is properly installed? Proper installation of skirting boards is basic to maintaining the aesthetics and functionality of your interior. It is important to know what to pay attention to after the installation is completed – this will give you the assurance that everything was done according to best practices.

What indicates that the PVC skirting board is well installed?

• Even adhesion to the wall and floor – check whether the skirting boards adhere tightly to the wall and floor along their entire length. The absence of gaps indicates accurate installation, which is important for both aesthetics and functionality.
• No visible traces of glue – make sure there are no visible traces of glue on the surface of the moldings. If installing the moldings with mounting glue, remove excess glue before it dries to maintain a neat appearance.
• Stability of attachment – gently press on the moldings in various places to check that they are firmly attached. Skirting boards should be firmly attached to the wall and floor, with no slack or misalignment.
• Accuracy of joints – inspect the places where the moldings connect, for example, in the corners or at the ends of the walls. The joints should be accurate and aesthetically pleasing, with no visible gaps or unevenness.
• The height of the molding – check that all the moldings have the same height along the entire length of the room. An even height of skirting boards is basic for an aesthetically pleasing finish.

By following the above tips, you will be able to assess whether the installation of skirting boards was carried out correctly. Remember that accuracy at every stage of installation will ensure the durability and aesthetics of the final result. Attention to detail during the installation of skirting boards will allow you to enjoy a beautiful and functional interior finish for many years.

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What to pay special attention to when fixing PVC skirting boards?

Fixing skirting boards requires careful preparation of the substrate. Before installation, make sure that the wall and floor surfaces are properly prepared. A clean, dry and dust-free surface ensures that the mounting adhesive properly adheres to the substrate. What else to pay attention to when installing PVC skirting boards?

Choice of mounting adhesive – the foundation of durability

Choosing the right mounting adhesive is one of the most important aspects of skirting board installation. Choose a glue that is suitable for the material of the skirting boards – it can be PVC mounting glue or another professional adhesive. The glue should be applied evenly to ensure a solid and durable fixing. Remember that installation of PVC skirting boards with the help of the wrong glue can lead to their peeling off and, consequently, to a loss of aesthetics.

Even distribution of fixings – stability and strength.

During the installation of skirting boards, it is indispensable to regularly arrange the mounting points. The use of mounting studs at appropriate intervals will ensure the stability and strength of the entire structure. Have you wondered how to install PVC skirting boards so that they are stable and durable? Evenly spaced mounting is the answer.

Precision cutting of skirting boards – perfection in every detail

Accuracy when cutting skirting boards is indispensable. Make sure that each section of skirting is precisely matched to the dimensions of the room to avoid visible gaps and unevenness. Installing PVC skirting boards requires care to achieve the perfect look of the finish.

Maintaining expansion gaps – flexibility and durability

When installing MDF skirting boards, it is important to leave adequate expansion gaps between the skirting and the floor. These gaps allow materials to work freely under changes in temperature and humidity, preventing deformation as well as damage. In the installation of wood skirting boards, like PVC, the flexibility of the material is basic.

Avoid mechanical damage – caution at every step

It is especially important to avoid excessive pressure and impacts during the installation of skirting boards, which can lead to mechanical damage. The installation of skirting boards should be carried out carefully, using the appropriate tools to preserve the integrity of the skirting.

Finishing aesthetics – perfect appearance

The final result of the installation of skirting boards largely depends on the care of the finish. Make sure that all joints are accurately aligned and excess glue has been removed, which will ensure the aesthetic and neat appearance of the moldings. In the installation of PVC skirting boards, aesthetics are as important as functionality.

Success in every detail

Attaching skirting boards is a process, requiring precision and attention to every detail. Accurate preparation of the substrate, proper selection of mounting glue, even distribution of fixings and precise cutting of skirting boards are the basic steps that ensure durability, as well as aesthetics of the finish. By following these tips, you can enjoy a beautifully finished interior for many years. Skirting board installation is not only a matter of technique, but also an art that requires patience and precision.

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