A skirting board is a trim strip along the bottom of a wall, at the transition between floor and wall. The skirting board has two functions: it covers the gap between floor and wall (which always exists for expansion and contraction) and protects the bottom of the wall from knocks, cleaning moisture and wear.
Types of skirting boards
| Type | Material | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| MDF skirting | MDF, painted or foil-wrapped | Most common, many profiles | € |
| Solid wood skirting | Oak, pine, meranti | Luxury look, can be sanded | €€-€€€ |
| Plastic skirting | PVC | Moisture-resistant, bathroom/kitchen | € |
| Aluminium skirting | Aluminium | Modern, sleek, slim | €€ |
| Tile skirting | Same tile as the floor | Seamless transition | €€ |
| Flexible skirting | Flexible plastic | For curved walls | €€ |
Skirting board dimensions
| Dimension | Standard |
|---|---|
| Height | 50-120 mm (70-80 mm most common) |
| Thickness | 12-18 mm |
| Length | 240 cm standard |
Fitting skirting boards
Method 1: Adhesive (most common)
1. Clean the wall, remove dust
2. Apply mounting adhesive in a zigzag on the back
3. Press skirting against the wall, hold briefly
4. Seal corners and joints with caulk
Method 2: Nailing/stapling
1. Hold skirting against the wall
2. Fix with a brad nailer or finishing nails
3. Fill holes with wood filler
4. Touch up with paint
Method 3: Clip fixing
1. Screw clips to the wall (every 50 cm)
2. Click skirting onto clips
3. Advantage: easy to remove
Cutting mitres
Inside and outside corners are cut at 45°
mitre:
- Inside corner — Both skirtings mitre inward at 45°
- Outside corner — Both skirtings mitre outward at 45°
- Tip — Use a mitre box or mitre saw for clean cuts
Common mistakes
- No expansion gap — Leave 2-3 mm space under the skirting for floor expansion
- Too much adhesive — Squeezes out along the skirting
- Rough mitre cuts — Use a sharp blade and lightly sand the cut edge
Related terms
- Laminate flooring
- Mitre saw
- MDF
- Plinth/base
- Wood joints