Floor skirting boards: types and characteristics

Despite being frequently disregarded, floor skirting boards are essential to the overall style and atmosphere of any space. They provide a finishing touch that can improve the interior design in addition to filling in the spaces left by the wall and floor. Selecting the appropriate skirting board can make all the difference in producing a polished and unified look.

Skirting boards come in a variety of forms, each with unique qualities and advantages. There are many options available, ranging from traditional wood to contemporary plastic, to suit a variety of tastes and functional needs. Knowing these choices will enable you to choose the ideal skirting board for your area, assuring both visual appeal and usefulness.

Types of floor skirting boards

The diversity present in the finishing materials market today was hard to imagine a few years ago. Even floor skirting boards are a source of joy these days due to their abundance of options.

The following categories of skirting boards exist:

  • wooden;
  • PVC products (flexible and hard);
  • covered with veneer of valuable tree species;
  • MDF products;
  • polyurethane;
  • metal;
  • cork;
  • ceramic.

As a result, you can select the best option to elevate the space and give it a polished appearance.

Wooden

Because it has been around for a while, a natural wood skirting board for a floor is a true classic. Naturally, the rise of new, more contemporary varieties is making it less popular, but it’s important to remember that these parts have a lot of indisputable benefits:

  1. Complete safety for humans and animals. No harmful or toxic substances are released indoors. To preserve the ecological properties of the material, proper processing is carried out, and suitable compositions are selected for painting.
  2. Even a beginner can do the cutting and installation, even if simple tools are used.
  3. Durability and the possibility of subsequent use. To increase the service life of wooden parts, it is necessary to maintain optimal humidity and temperature in the room. With proper dismantling, the parts can be reused after a small restoration.

These floor plinths have certain drawbacks that, for the most part, offset their benefits. The primary issue is the price; genuinely excellent products are not cheap. We must also remember that wood is subject to moisture. Issues could also surface during the painting and varnishing process that follows.

PVC products

Artificial materials made of polyvinyl chloride are becoming increasingly popular and are replacing natural materials in the construction industry. Nevertheless, PVC floor skirting boards have a lot of advantages.

  1. Resistance to moisture and temperature changes, which makes it possible to use them for almost any room;
  2. Ease of installation. Even on slightly curved surfaces they will be well fixed.
  3. Ease of maintenance. After installation, you can forget about them, only occasionally wipe off accumulated dust or dirt.

Experts agree that one major disadvantage of these products is their fragility. This is only true for the least expensive options, which are quickly rendered unattractive as decorations and are readily harmed by mechanical impact.

What PVC floor details are there? There are various varieties at the moment:

  • with a texture of natural materials: wood, cork and stone;
  • skirting board with a cable channel, which is great for hidden installation;
  • flexible options that allow you to go around curved contours of the room;
  • parts with rubberized edges – for tighter installation.

This product is without a doubt the best in terms of the ratio of quality to price.

Veneered

For those who appreciate natural materials, this is a true discovery. When funds are tight and solid wood products are not an option, this is a good choice. The truth is that a skirting board with a valuable species’ veneer on it has a less expensive base, usually made of pine. It has every benefit and drawback that come with real wood.

A key consideration when making a decision is the manufacturer. Numerous artisans and designers concur that foreign goods have superior quality. Furthermore, these products are easily mounted on specific clips; if they are hidden, no additional processing is required.

The veneer floor skirting board’s sizes let you select the ideal solution. As a result, the elements range in height from 8 to 10 cm and have thicknesses between 1.4 and 2.5 mm.

MDF skirting boards

There is a fairly straightforward explanation for why these products are frequently compared to real wood. The reality is that MDF, which stands for fine wood fraction, is a highly crushed material that is joined with health-safe glue.

It is important to remember that MDF skirting boards come in a broad range of shapes. The flat version is currently very popular; it comes in various heights, but it frequently goes above the average value. The color coating is primarily white, but water-based compounds can be used to paint it if needed. Although these details add an unusual visual effect to the interior, they detract from volume and are therefore inappropriate for rooms with low ceilings and large furniture.

Because MDF can be mounted in a variety of ways, one can select the mounting method that best fits a given circumstance. Similar to PVC products, decorative overlays are frequently added to joints and corners of these elements; however, because they are made of plastic, it is not always possible to achieve the desired combination.

Polyurethane

Polyurethane skirting boards are becoming more and more common these days. There used to be a price cap, but these days, a lot of models are getting extremely cheap.

There are numerous benefits to this choice:

  1. Durability. Unlike parts made of other materials, the service life of such elements is practically unaffected.
  2. Polyurethane elements can be flexible, which allows them to be used for installation in rooms with complex geometry.
  3. Functionality. In addition to hiding the joint between the wall and the floor, the products are equipped with cable channels.
  4. Great design potential. Models differ in color, shape and texture. For greater convenience, there is a separate category for painting.

Furthermore, the dimensions of this type of plinth enable you to select an appropriate solution for rooms of varying sizes.

Specific options: made of metal, cork and ceramics

Certain kinds of plinths have unique qualities and are utilized relatively infrequently.

  1. Metal elements. Can be made of aluminum, stainless steel and brass. This option really has many advantages: resistance to rotting, durability, fire safety. But they are suitable only for a certain style: minimalism, high-tech. There are products supplied with backlighting (see. photo).
  2. Cork plinths. Such borders are environmentally friendly and very expensive, in addition, they have a small decorative range.
  3. Ceramic products. Suitable for tiling floor coverings. Most often, they are included in a collection, which allows you to quickly select the necessary parts.

So you can select the best variety if needed.

Floor skirting boards are more than just a decorative element; they are essential for filling in gaps, shielding walls, and giving any space a polished appearance. This article examines the different kinds of skirting boards that are available, their qualities, and how to pick the best one for your home’s needs in terms of both style and functionality.

Type of Skirting Board Characteristics
Wooden Skirting Boards Classic look, durable, can be painted or stained, requires maintenance
PVC Skirting Boards Affordable, moisture-resistant, easy to install, available in various colors
MDF Skirting Boards Economical, easy to paint, smooth finish, less resistant to moisture
Aluminum Skirting Boards Modern look, highly durable, ideal for high-traffic areas, resistant to corrosion

Although floor skirting boards might not seem like much, they are very important to the way a room looks and functions overall. Selecting the appropriate kind can shield the walls from harm and improve the appearance of your area.

Whatever your preference—classic wood, sleek plastic, or sturdy metal—there is a skirting board to fit every style and purpose. Making an informed choice that enhances your interior design will be made easier if you are aware of the qualities of each material.

Including skirting boards in the design of your space is a useful way to hide cables and uneven floor edges in addition to adding a final touch. You can make sure that your skirting boards add to the harmony and practicality of your house by choosing the right kind and style.

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Veronica Gerasimova

Interior designer, author of books on the design of residential premises. I will help you make your home not only functional, but also beautiful.

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