Skirting boards are very useful when building a structure. They are used to cover the joint between the lowest surface of the wall and the floor. It is about 0.2 meter high; at the level of your ankle. This is also called a baseboard, mopboard, floor moulding or base moulding depending on what part of the world you are located. It is used aesthetically to cover the rough edge of the floor adjacent to the wall and can also be decorative. It can also cover ugly gaps or holes in the wall and prevent drafts from coming in. It protects the wall from external damage like scratches from pets, furniture, shoes, children's toys, vacuum cleaners and rough play.
The skirting boards come in many different shapes. These are also known as moulding. These boards are usually wooden and can be nailed or screwed to the wall. Pre-painted wooden skirting boards are usually from a lone piece of jointed soft wood. Lacquered skirting boards are made of hardwoods. There are also untreated ones available in the market. Pre-painted skirting boards can also be made of plastic and are readily available in a myriad of colours for your convenience. These are the ones that you could easily glue on the wall. There is a groove at the back of the skirting board to hide unsightly telephone and computer cables.
The colour of your skirting board could either be complementary or contrasting to the colour of the wall. Using a monochromatic theme makes the room appear bigger and cleaner. You can also try using a light colour for your walls and a darker tone for your skirting board. This is a great conversation starter and makes the colour of the wall pop!
You can get a carpenter to install this for you, but you can be adventurous and thrifty by doing it yourself. It is very easy! First, measure the area you want to cover with a skirting board. Purchase a skirting board that is 15 to 20% longer than what is needed. It is better to have more than less, especially that you will be cutting the board. Make sure that the board you will purchase is straight and not crooked or bent. It should also be free of knot holes and other forms of damage like scratches.
To extend the life of the skirting board, paint its back first before attaching it to the wall. Use a mitre block to fit the board perfectly. Cut the board in a 45 degree angle at the corner where it will meet another board. Attach it to another skirting board using wooden glue. Then, nail it together for extra strength using lost-head nails. Should there be any gaps between the wall and the top of the skirting boards, you can cover this up with a decorators chalk. Smooth its surface by running your index finger along it for a nice and clean finish.
To get a neat finish, put the tiles in first before the board. On the other hand, if you want to put a carpet, do the skirting board first.
There will always be a perfect skirting board to match your floor and your taste!
