Skirting Boards



Shopping for skirting boards online can be pretty challenging. Yes, you read the descriptions of the skirting boards offered on a website, you can see the photos too, however, this does not mean you are entirely sure you are ordering the exact skirting boards perfectly suitable for your wooden floor. With so many sizes, colours, designs of skirting boards to choose from, ordering skirting boards online can either be a hit or a miss. It is our goal to make sure it is always a hit for you, therefore in this guide we will explain more about skirting boards and what you need to know in order to choose the fitting one for your project.

Choosing Skirting Boards: Height

Choosing skirting boards - height
Choosing Skirting Boards: Height

Arguably, height selection is the most important criteria when you are choosing skirting boards for your floor. Skirting boards height is also the option with the most choice. When it comes to skirting boards, it is not always clear which height you should choose. If you are matching the height to the existing skirting boards, the chances are you are also choosing the same height for the new flooring boards. In some cases, there is radiator piper running along the walls, which means you will be restricted when choosing the height of your skirting boards. Plug sockets and other similar obstacles will also determine the height of the skirting boards. However, working with a blank canvas as a newly plastered wall allows you to choose any skirting boards height you desire, it is all down to what you prefer and finds appealing. 

Choosing Skirting Boards: Thickness

Choosing skirting boards - thickness
Choosing Skirting Boards: Thickness

Once you select the desired height of your skirting boards, it is about time to consider the thickness of the skirting boards too. Skirting boards’ thickness is another very important criteria and the selection and you don’t have to overlook it not just from a visual point of view, but also in the context of functionality. Choosing skirting boards to match the existing skirting means you need to choose the same thickness as the new skirting boards, just like it is with their height.

However, if you are starting from scratch with a newly plastered wall, you can pick the thickness of skirting boards that generally suits your home and meets your preferences. Simply make sure you can accommodate the desired thickness of the skirting boards. For example, if the architraves come with a particular thickness, you cannot exceed it with the thickness of the skirting boards and you need to choose the same thickness. 

Choosing Skirting Boards: Length

Choosing skirting boards - length
Choosing Skirting Boards: Length

You have already chosen the height and thickness of the skirting boards, now you need to choose their length. The length of skirting boards you choose is pretty easy to determine based on the length of the walls in the room. Longer lengths are a common choice for customers, however, you also need to consider if you are able to handle them. This pretty much means that you need to think of how you can accommodate really long skirting boards. For example, if you need to get the skirting boards to an upper floor of your home or the building, getting long skirting boards to your place might not be an easy task. 

Choosing Skirting Boards: Finish

Choosing skirting boards - finish
Choosing skirting boards - finish

Since we have discussed the more functional side of skirting boards, let’s consider them visually and the options you have to suit your interior. When it comes to the finish of your skirting boards, you are generally recommended to choose the primed or undercoated finishes. Choosing undercoated skirting boards guarantees professional work, appearance and great durability.

Choosing unprimed skirting boards means you are getting skirting boards with no finish applied to them. You are the one who needs to choose and apply the finish to the skirting boards. While this allows some freedom and flexibility as you can pick a particular finish you like and suits the rest of the floor, it also means you need to invest time, energy, and money. Choosing primed skirting boards saves a bit more time.

The skirting boards are already treated with a single layer of primer. However, it means it is your responsibility to have the skirting boards sanded, treated with undercoating before applying the final paint finish to match the rest of the floor. Therefore, the undercoated option best and easiest option you have. Choosing undercoated skirting means you are getting boards that are pretty much ready to be installed with no additional hassle and work required. 

Choosing Skirting Boards: Rebate

Choosing skirting boards - rebate
Choosing skirting boards - rebate

After choosing the height, length, thickness and finish of the boards, the final thing you need to consider is whether or not you want them to be rebated. Think of if you actually need the rebate or not. Rebate is needed if you are planning to hide wires behind the skirting. If you don’t need to do that, you definitely do not need rebate skirting. If you choose the no rebate option, the skirting will pretty much not be rebated when sent to you from the online store. This means that there will be no space behind to hide wires, etc.

However, the rebate option means that a small section of the skirting will be removed from its rear side and this is done so there is some extra room created where the wires you want to hide will fit and remain hidden from the eye. This ensures the place looks significantly less cluttered and neater. The standard rebate will allow you to easily hide standard-sized cables. However, if you need to hide more cables or cables that are larger in size, make sure to contact the supplier and ask them for the option to have a larger rebate created for your specific needs. 

And that is all, you have chosen the right skirting for your project if you have picked one option from all selections mentioned above – height, thickness, length, finish, and with or without rebate. Now everything you have left is having the skirting installed and you can enjoy it. 

Choosing skirting boards: Height
Choosing skirting boards: Thickness
Choosing skirting boards: Length
Choosing skirting boards: Finish
Choosing skirting boards: Rebate