Skirting boards

Maximum functionality: what else are skirting boards responsible for?

So far, we have focused mainly on the aesthetic function, which – understandably – is the most emphasized. However, it is worth remembering that skirting boards are a truly practical solution with a much richer functionality. In that case, what else can high-class skirting boards help us with? Primarily, it will be:

covering the expansion gap — we've already mentioned this function, but it's too important to omit now. Expansion gaps are a necessity, and therefore, the installation of a chosen skirting board to cover and protect it from dust ingress also becomes necessary.

wall protection — the skirting board extends a few centimeters onto the wall, protecting it from damage during vacuuming. Moreover, it also protects it from potential splashes while mopping the floor.

cable concealment — in every house, apartment, or office, we find a lot of cables. Unfortunately, they don't look very aesthetically pleasing, so the best solution would be to hide them behind the skirting boards. They have a dedicated space for this, so it shouldn't be a problem.

dust protection — skirting boards that adhere well to the wall protect the area where the floor meets the wall and the expansion gap from dust. This solution will be appreciated especially by allergy sufferers, but also by those for whom order is extremely important.

Which skirting boards to choose

Skirting boards should be chosen according to the height and character of the interior. They can be an aesthetic addition that inconspicuously protects the wall, or they can be a dominant element that co-creates the character of the interior. The visual aspect includes the shape, height, and color of the skirting boards. Skirting boards are also a practical aspect, and the material from which they are made affects their usability. We will discuss each of these elements in a separate paragraph below.

Many people wonder about the material from which skirting boards should be made. PVC skirting boards are a practical solution, they are easy to clean, durable, and simple to install. Accessories such as corners or end caps are an additional installation aid. Plastic skirting boards are also available in almost every building materials store at an attractive price. MDF skirting boards are a traditional solution, requiring specialized equipment for installation and precise corner cutting.

The choice of skirting boards also depends on the type of flooring you decide on. It is a general rule to match all accessories to the functional characteristics of the flooring. A system is only as strong as its weakest link, so if we want to... For floors made of wood or traditional floor panels, you can choose any material. MDF skirting boards, as well as those made of plastic, will work great. However, if we choose waterproof floor panels, we should choose skirting boards that are also waterproof.

What determines the height of skirting boards?

Skirting boards and their height are a topic for a separate article, but here we will focus on the most popular heights. Basic wall skirting boards are 50 or 60 mm high, which is sufficient to protect the wall from mechanical damage, e.g., during cleaning. Skirting boards made at this height are most often color-matched to the floor, thus optically enlarging the room. These heights also do not dominate the room; they are rather an inconspicuous detail that does not define the character of the room. 50-60 mm skirting boards should also be chosen for rooms with a height below 260 cm, as higher ones could further optically reduce the room.

70 or 80 mm floor skirting boards are the most popular. They fit perfectly with standard room heights, creating a harmonious, well-balanced room. They are an aesthetic finishing element, an elegant addition. White skirting boards of this height will emphasize the modern character of the interior.

Higher skirting boards, e.g., 100-120 mm high, are a decorative element that should be used in selected rooms. They fit perfectly into high interiors in old tenement houses or modern apartments. In such cases, they will most often be white skirting boards, often in decorative shapes, e.g., Hamburg with a characteristic double wave.

How to install skirting boards?

Floor skirting boards, depending on the collection and system, can have several installation methods. For MDF skirting boards, we usually have the choice of clips or glue; PVC and other plastic skirting boards can be mounted with dowels or glued. A separate installation method is the system skirting board, characteristic of some Arbiton collections.

Clips are a very cheap, reliable, and safe installation method. It is important that they are installed correctly, i.e., evenly. Properly installed clips ensure that the skirting board adheres evenly to the wall, even on uneven surfaces. However, clips require drilling into the wall every 40-50 cm, which carries the risk of cable damage, but most importantly, it requires time, renovation experience, and good equipment. There is also no chance of a clean installation; drilling holes every half meter means dust and dirt throughout the room.

Plastic skirting boards, especially hollow ones, can be mounted directly to the wall using dowels. This solution is simpler than clips and also the cheapest.

Gluing skirting boards has become very popular nowadays. Modern hybrid adhesives are easy to use and require no experience. They provide very fast adhesion but are flexible, allowing for error correction. They can even be used in wet rooms and can also serve as a sealant. Odorless adhesives are also available, ensuring safe and comfortable work. The disadvantage of gluing is its price, as a cartridge of glue is sufficient for 8-12 linear meters of skirting boards.

The INDO and VEGA skirting boards feature the system installation mentioned earlier. This means that we first attach a rail to the wall, and then simply "click" the visible part into place.

Wooden skirting boards

For several years, there has been a noticeable trend away from skirting boards matched to the floor color. Monochromatic white, gray, and even black skirting boards are becoming fashionable. However, the choice of skirting board color should be adapted to the character of the interior. If we want to achieve the effect of a classic, traditionally elegant interior, skirting boards in the floor color are a great addition. The same applies to rustic interiors; wood-colored panel skirting boards will perfectly emphasize such a style. Wooden skirting boards also optically enlarge the room, especially those with a simple shape.

There is another advantage of skirting boards in the floor color. Over time, inevitable minor damage to the skirting boards, e.g., from vacuum cleaner impact, is less visible to household members. Any dirt or dust is also less noticeable than on white skirting boards.

White skirting boards

White skirting boards made of various materials have been a hit in recent years. They fit perfectly with modern or loft interior design. They add elegance and prestige. Usually, the shade of white is matched to the doors. The most common color is RAL 9003, but RAL 9010 or 9016 also appear frequently. When choosing, it is worth checking this detail.

The last year has seen a return to favor of monochromatic skirting boards. We are seeing a renaissance of black skirting boards, which fit into loft interiors and perfectly complement, for example, a decorative brick wall.

Skirting boards - what material to choose

Currently, the most popular solution is skirting boards made of plastic (e.g., PVC, which we often encounter under the slightly misleading name - PVC skirting boards). These are modern products that first and foremost convince with their flexibility, water resistance, and incredible ease of installation. A great example of this product group is the INDO skirting board, very often chosen by our clients. The most important feature of INDO is the absence of an installation channel (it does not have the characteristic gaps for PVC on the skirting board), which results in a uniform surface of the skirting board – this is unique for PVC. Among the technical properties, it is worth noting the 4 Way System, which allows the skirting board to be installed in four ways – using double-sided tape, screws, staples, or glue. This is a good choice for all those who value innovative products adapted to user needs.

Besides PVC, the second extremely popular material is MDF. Its greatest advantage is its beautiful appearance. It resembles wood, and because it can be lacquered, we get a deep, durable color. Moreover, you can paint MDF yourself to achieve the exact color you want. In that case, it is worth choosing PAINT IT skirting boards. It should also be mentioned that MDF boards have higher hardness, which translates into even higher durability. The range of MDF skirting boards is truly wide, so you will certainly find models that meet your expectations.

We must also mention hybrid skirting boards, which are constructed to extract the best from two worlds – PVC and MDF. They are an excellent combination of the advantages of both mentioned solutions. By choosing hybrid skirting boards, you are opting for a waterproof, fully flexible product with high resistance to mechanical damage. It has a matte surface that resembles lacquered skirting boards. The VIGO floor skirting board – because that's what we're talking about – is available in over a dozen interesting colors, so you can be sure of its proper matching to your floor.

The latest trend is skirting boards made of NON-PVC materials. They have all the functional characteristics that contribute to the success of skirting boards like INDO, but they are made of an ecological material. The skirting board is made of a monomaterial without PVC and is 100% recyclable. In the range of waterproof skirting boards, we will find many shapes and sizes, simple skirting bases, more traditional and decorative shapes, and even very specialized solutions, like skirting boards covering old skirting boards.

This is, of course, not all; we encourage you to familiarize yourself with the full Arbiton skirting board collection. We are confident that it will surprise you positively more than once, and the solutions it offers will make choosing and installing flooring a pleasure.

Arbiton Skirting Boards

From the very beginning of its existence, the Arbiton brand has taken a comprehensive approach to its assortment. Since we offer panels, underlays, and floor profiles, we couldn't forget about skirting boards. Moreover, we have prepared modern solutions that you will certainly appreciate. Innovation is in our DNA, so when creating each product, we strive to bring something new to the market – improve the installation process, increase product functionality, or enhance its mechanical properties. This is how the collections of available skirting boards were created, which have gained recognition among customers worldwide.

Today, we have several product lines that are gaining popularity every year. Furthermore, we regularly update them so that our assortment meets all customer needs, both for those who professionally deal with flooring installation and for amateurs preparing for home renovations. Our skirting boards will meet the expectations of both – we are sure of it!

FAQ - other frequently asked questions about skirting boards

What is the difference between skirting boards and floor profiles?

In a nutshell, skirting boards are used to protect the wall and are installed vertically. Floor profiles are used to connect different flooring materials, e.g., tiles with panels. Of course, there are also stair and finishing profiles, which we use to finish the floor, e.g., at balcony doors.

What kind of skirting board for a modern interior?

White! That's the simplest answer. Of course, if we decide on doors of a different color, it's worth matching the skirting board to the doors. Besides the color, the shape also indicates the style; a modern style means a simple shape, preferably with an R2 profile.

Where to buy skirting boards?

Skirting boards can be bought off the shelf in any DIY superstore (e.g., Castorama), where they can be found in the flooring section next to panels and wooden floors. You can also find skirting boards in specialized flooring stores (e.g., Bel-Pol), but here they will most often be made to order.

What skirting boards for tiles?

First and foremost, we recommend waterproof skirting boards, i.e., made of PVC or other materials. In the case of tiles, expansion joints are usually not made at the wall, so the skirting board itself can be slimmer.