A Guide To Choosing Skirting Boards - Period Mouldings

Author: Liang

Sep. 23, 2024

A Guide To Choosing Skirting Boards - Period Mouldings

Skirting boards are essential architectural features in any home. While they may seem unimportant, their absence would be quickly noticed. Selecting the wrong skirting boards can leave you with a constant and visible reminder of your mistakes.

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Contents

  • What is the purpose of a skirting board?
  • Factors to consider when choosing skirting boards
  • Choosing the right style of skirting
  • Selecting a suitable color design
  • Material considerations for your home
  • Finishing your skirting boards
  • Balancing practicality, budget, and aesthetics

What is the purpose of a skirting board?

Understanding the fundamental purpose of skirting boards is essential. While many view them as purely decorative, they serve several important functions. Traditionally, skirting boards were installed to hide the junction between floors and plastered walls, covering cracks or rough edges. They also conceal carpet ends seamlessly.

Beyond aesthetics, skirting boards prevent drafts from entering through gaps at the base of walls and can hide unsightly wires. Their primary function today is to protect walls from daily wear and tear caused by children, pets, and general household activities. Furthermore, skirting boards provide a sense of aesthetic completion in a room, enhancing the overall look of your home.

Factors to consider when choosing your skirting boards

While other design elements might overshadow skirting boards, they play a crucial role in harmonizing various features throughout your home. When selecting skirting boards, consider their style, color, material, and finish. These factors come together to provide the perfect decorative touch for your rooms.

Choosing the right style of skirting

Various skirting board styles can be seen in contemporary homes, such as recessed skirting and shadow gaps, which require careful planning even during construction. For renovations or minor upgrades, the choice typically sits between contemporary and period skirting boards.

A contemporary skirting board often has a plain, minimalist design, while period skirting may still work if paired appropriately with the right colors and furniture. Care must be taken, however, as period styles will clash with modern skirtings in historical settings featuring dado rails or architrave. Proportion is essential, as high skirtings can overwhelm smaller rooms, while low skirtings may appear lost in grander spaces.

Consistency is key in your skirting board choice, particularly in adjacent rooms and corridors. Mixing styles can lead to a visually cluttered space, so consider other elements like architraves and dado rails when selecting your skirting.

Selecting a suitable color design

Color schemes significantly influence a room's overall aesthetic and are important in ensuring a cohesive appearance throughout your home. Skirting boards can create contrast or subtle variations depending on your chosen design.

Many homeowners prefer white walls paired with colored skirting, which helps frame the room effectively. If you opt for colored walls with white skirting, careful attention must be given to the finish to ensure it meets expectations. You can also achieve a more contemporary look by matching wall colors and skirting boards.

Material considerations for your home

The choice of material for your skirting boards is crucial, as it impacts their appearance, ease of installation, and durability. MDF is widely used in modern homes, although it lacks the depth or elegance of natural wood. While MDF can be budget-friendly, it is less resistant to damage compared to hardwood options.

Wooden skirtings, including oak, pine, tulipwood, and sapele, bring durability and versatility. They can be sanded, painted, or varnished to achieve a high-end finish that MDF cannot replicate.

Finishing your skirting boards

There are various finishing methods for skirting boards, determined by the materials chosen and the overall style of the room. Leaving wooden skirtings natural may result in a raw appearance and greater susceptibility to damage. Instead, enhance their appeal using oils or varnishes, which provide longevity and visual charm.

MDF skirtings can be painted, offering a smooth finish that is easy to apply, though it lacks the natural texture of wood. When finishing wooden skirtings, you can choose between gloss, satin, or matte finishes, each contributing to a distinct look that can enhance your home.

Balancing practicality, budget, and aesthetics

Ultimately, when selecting skirting boards, consider the practicality of the materials, longevity, and how they fit into your overall design scheme. Swapping styles can be straightforward but requires attention to associated elements such as architraves. Ensure consistency across your choices to achieve a seamless design flow throughout your home.

Don't underestimate the impact of skirting boards in your renovation or upgrade process; the right choices can significantly enhance your home's aesthetic and functionality.

12 Different Types Of Skirting Board Profiles

Skirting boards, also known as baseboards, create smooth transitions between walls and floors, protecting the walls while adding a decorative element. The right skirting boards not only reflect the room's style but also influence the overall decorative effect.

With advances in materials and design, various types of skirting boards are available on the market. From traditional wood to modern materials like metal or MDF, each profile serves distinct visual effects and practical functions. Here's an overview of 12 different types of skirting board profiles.

Types of Skirting Board Profiles

1. Flush Recessed Skirting Boards

This innovative skirting choice integrates seamlessly with walls, eliminating traditional gaps and enhancing the sophistication of modern spaces. Often available in various materials and colors, they can include features like integrated LED lighting for added functionality.

2. Torus Skirting Board

Characterized by its elegant semi-circular arch, the Torus skirting board adds a touch of delicacy and is popular for its timeless aesthetic appeal.

3. Ogee Skirting Board

Renowned for its classic S-shaped curve, the Ogee skirting board brings luxury and coherence to wall edges while remaining durable.

4. Chamfered Skirting Board

Favored for its simplicity, the chamfered design offers safety and ease of maintenance, making it an excellent choice for families with young children.

5. Bullnose Skirting Board

This skirting board features a rounded top edge, making it easy to clean and maintain, while ensuring a safe environment for children.

6. Lambs Tongue Skirting Board

Known for its intricate chamfer, the Lambs Tongue design enhances aesthetic appeal while offering practical protection against wear and tear.

7. Ovolo Skirting Board

The Ovolo profile combines a timeless design with durability, making it suitable for both traditional and modern settings.

8. Victorian Skirting Board

Featuring decorative patterns, Victorian skirting boards add historical charm and are ideal for traditional spaces requiring an artistic ambiance.

9. Square Edge Skirting Board

Perfect for modern minimalism, square edge skirting boards provide a clean and uncluttered appearance."

10. Stepped Skirting Board

The stepped design offers a chic look suitable for contemporary interiors, drawing inspiration from the Art Deco movement.

11. Continued Skirting

This type of skirting serves as a unifying element in interior design, maintaining color consistency across different areas.

12. Modern Skirting Board

Designed to minimize space and provide durability, modern skirting options like aluminum or stainless steel are ideal for high-moisture areas.

Different Materials Used for Skirting Boards

Wood Skirtings

Wood skirtings are celebrated for their natural beauty and durability. Various wood types, such as oak and pine, offer unique grains to match different styles.

MDF Skirtings

Cost-effective and easy to process, MDF skirtings are smooth and versatile, suitable for many interior styles.

Laminate Skirtings

Laminated skirtings are water-resistant and available in various designs, often mimicking natural materials while being easy to install.

Vinyl Skirtings

Vinyl skirtings provide exceptional durability and are a cost-effective solution for areas exposed to moisture.

Metal Skirtings

Offering an industrial feel, metal skirtings are durable and well-suited for high-traffic areas.

PVC Skirtings

PVC skirtings are lightweight, easy to install, and water-resistant, making them versatile for different interior decor styles.

Plaster Skirtings

Known for intricate detailing, plaster skirtings offer a sense of traditional elegance but require careful maintenance and installation.

What are the trends for skirting boards?

As home decoration styles evolve, trends in baseboard design are also diversifying. Some upcoming trends include:

Eco-friendly Materials

Sustainable materials like recycled wood and bamboo are gaining popularity, minimizing environmental impact.

Concealed Design

This trend focuses on seamless installations for a modern look, integrating skirting boards flush with walls.

Integrated Lighting Baseboard

Skirting boards with built-in lighting provide both functionality and aesthetic appeal.

Multifunctional Skirting Board

Innovative designs are emerging that incorporate hidden storage or power outlets into skirting boards.

Strong Colors and Patterns

Bolder colors and personalized patterns are expected to make a statement in interior design.

Conclusion

Skirting boards, though seemingly minor, significantly enhance both aesthetics and functionality in any home. Choosing the right materials and styles will elevate your interior while ensuring durability and practicality.

For custom or bulk purchases of skirting boards, please contact us. We provide competitive pricing and low minimum order quantities.

FAQs

What type of skirting boards are best?

Your choice depends on your specific needs, including budget and durability. Wooden skirtings offer natural beauty, while MDF skirtings are cost-effective.

What is the modern alternative to skirting boards?

Modern alternatives include hidden baseboards for a streamlined appearance.

What is the cheapest skirting option?

MDF skirtings tend to be the most economical, with PVC skirting as another budget-friendly choice.

What is the most durable skirting board?

Metal skirting boards are among the most durable options, ideal for high-traffic areas.

Is pine or MDF skirting better?

The decision hinges on personal preference; pine offers a natural look, while MDF provides practicality and ease of maintenance.

Do new builds have skirting boards?

Yes, skirting boards are commonly installed in new constructions for aesthetic and protective purposes.

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