Installing skirting boards that make your floor look seamless isn't easy. The detail can make a big difference, from the perfect design to the correct size. But how high should skirting boards be from the floor? We asked experts and found the answer for you.
Generally speaking, you need to select skirting boards that are approximately 1/18 of the height of your room. Alternatively, their height could be twice the molding width around the doorway. There are several skirting board heights, ranging from three to eight inches.
When choosing skirting boards, keep in mind the size of the room. Stop guessing when making your selection by reading on for the most frequently asked questions about selecting skirting board sizes.
What Are Skirting Boards?
Skirting boards, also known as baseboards, are strips that go along the edge of the wall and the floor. The strip is secured to the wall with nails, screws, glue, or other means.
Skirting boards serve to cover uneven edges, protect the internal wall from damage, guard against abrasion, and more. They can also be elaborate chip carpentry and moldings and be applied only as decoration
What Type Of Skirting Board Is Best?
The sizes of skirting boards and their profile and finish can significantly affect how a room turns out. One of those minute details will stick out if ignored or mishandled.
Consider what baseboard sizes, materials, and styles work best for your rooms, and the possibilities you will have. The most widely used board heights are 3 1/4 inches and 5 1/4 inches.
Keep everything in proportion when selecting a baseboard size that suits your interior design style well. Before choosing a baseboard, you must consider several elements, and these are as follows.
Skirting Height
Ceiling height is often one of the main deciding factors and has the most significant impact on the final look of your space. Standard skirting board heights range from three to eight inches.
If your ceilings are exceptionally high, a taller baseboard is recommended to break up wide wall stretches. However, if a high skirting board style is installed on a low ceiling, it will appear more imposing.
A simpler, subtler, and smaller design is typically more suitable. The general rule is: a baseboard should be 3-5 inches for an 8-foot wall and 5-7 inches for a 10-foot ceiling height.
Skirting Length
In many ways, this is the least significant dimension regarding skirting board sizes. However, you must order long enough sections, as cutting skirting boards can be tricky. Skirting boards come in various lengths and are cut to fit a room's dimensions.
If you have lengthy walls, longer lengths of skirting (often 10 to 16 inches) are excellent because there will be fewer breaks. However, choosing shorter lengths is better if you live in a house with shorter walls, because they will be simpler to store and work with.
It is often possible to cut baseboards to your desired length in the store. The store should provide a hand-saw cutting station in the trim aisle that you can use.
Skirting Depth
In addition to height, it's necessary to think about the skirting boards' depth, or how far it will protrude from the wall. Skirting boards are available on the market in standard thicknesses.
When installing a new baseboard, it is a good idea to match the thickness of any existing skirting boards or architraves. They can be as thin as 1/2 inch and as thick as 1 1/2 inches. But it comes down to personal preference.
The thickness you choose will also influence your skirting board profile. Very thin skirting is typically only available in simpler designs like square edges and pencil round.
Profile Size
The profile size of skirting boards is not the height of the board itself but rather the size of the board's detailed portion (the profile). The height of a board's flat area and the contoured section's height combine to make up the overall height of the board.
Simple profiles won't be as high as more intricate ones. In this situation, mounting them on very high skirting may appear unusual because it exposes a large, flat section of the board.
Are Skirting Boards Necessary?
Skirting boards conceal the necessary gap that must be left between the edge of the flooring and the wall while providing an aesthetic appearance. These gaps are for any expansion and contraction that may take place over time.
They also hide the unpleasant side of flooring installation and shield surfaces from scuffs and stains. Aside from the factors already mentioned, here are other reasons why it is good idea to install skirting boards.
- To avoid leaving dirt and grime on the walls when vacuuming and mopping.
- Cover up any open or exposed wire in the interior space
- Leave a little space between the furniture and the wall.
- To prevent damage to the intersection of the floor and wall.
- Protects the wall from furniture marks.
Should There Be A Gap Between Skirting Boards And The Floor?
Depending on the type of flooring you are installing, you should decide whether to add skirting boards with a gap. You should install the skirting boards against the carpet, not underneath it. You should fit the skirting boards before laying the carpet.
Skirting boards can be installed on the floor using a mat. There must be a modest space between the flooring and the skirting board when using laminate or tiles.
Skirting boards should be put in after the flooring has been installed so that they don't come into contact with the floor.
A color sealer that matches the color of your floor is available if there are gaps in your laminate flooring that skirting boards don't cover. A waterproof sealer is another option to prevent water damage to your floors, particularly in bathrooms and kitchens.
Should You Nail Or Screw Skirting Boards?
If you decide to use nails, we advise using an adhesive to attach the skirting to the wall before securing it with nails.
It makes sense to mark the nail locations with a pencil to make it simpler to nail the skirting. Check the nails to ensure they are long enough to penetrate the skirting and the wall.
Suppose you drive a nail through the decorative wall. Use a pin punch to whack the nail head flush with or barely into the skirting board.
Add a little filler to cover the pinhole if you accidentally knock them into the skirting. You'll have a polished and expert finish after doing this!
However, if the walls are exceptionally sturdy, you might need to think about using screws. Screws are the most reliable way to attach the skirting to the wall. Buta if you intend to fix them this way, you'll require a few extra tools.
You must first decide where to attach the screws and mark that location on the skirting. Additionally, we advise setting the skirting up against the wall and drilling a small hole into the wall to make it simpler to screw the skirting.
After screwing them to the wall, you can cover the screw holes with filler.
Check out this pin punch set on Amazon.
Can You Glue Skirting Boards?
Using glue she most straightforward option for attaching skirting boards if your walls are straight. It can result in a neat, polished finish.
Apply the glue to the board's reverse side after cutting it to size. We advise employing a zigzag design. To ensure that the skirting adheres entirely to the wall, press down firmly as you apply it.
Use a different method in addition to glue if your walls are old and not perfectly straight to keep the skirting in place.
Check out this heavy duty adhesive on Amazon.
Wrapping Up
When deciding on skirting board sizes, pay attention to your room's dimensions, especially the ceiling height. Remember to consider the board's profile. An intricate or subtle design is perfect for a low ceiling. It enhances the beauty of your interior design.
You should also take into consideration the design of your home. Those aiming for a clean, minimalist aesthetic may find that a smaller, less conspicuous skirting board size looks ideal.
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