Skirting boards - some advices to choose the right one

The floor occupies the largest area in a home, making it crucial not just to focus on the flooring itself but also to consider well-matched accessories that enhance the overall aesthetics. Selecting the appropriate skirting boards often occurs at the final stages of renovation or furnishing, leading to it being overlooked. However, skirting boards serve not only aesthetic functions but also functional purposes. Their quality, durability, and appearance significantly impact the overall interior design. The right skirting can highlight even the most beautiful floors, while the wrong choice can visually shrink the room or disturb its proportions. So, what should you keep in mind when choosing skirting boards?

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Do You Really Need Skirting Boards?

Skirting boards cover the dilation gap where the floor meets the wall. To ensure the best performance of a floating floor, it's crucial to leave a gap that allows the planks to expand with temperature changes. This gap prevents bending, loosening of the locking system, or complete destruction of the flooring. Skirting boards beautifully conceal these gaps while providing a seamless transition between the floor and walls. The width of these gaps varies based on the flooring material and the installer’s skill level. Generally, vinyl click floor manufacturers recommend a 5 mm dilation gap. However, achieving precise spacing and finding a skilled installer can be challenging. Therefore, selecting skirting boards that cover at least 1 cm is prudent. When finishing laminate floors, ideally, skirting should be wider, keeping a 10 mm gap between floor and wall. Thus, the best skirting for this application should range between 15-20 mm in thickness. Some skirting boards can even cover up to 26 mm, which proves beneficial in case of mistakes.

In addition to their aesthetic qualities, skirting boards serve a critical functional purpose. They protect the walls from potential damage and dirt from vacuuming or from shoes and mops. Skirting boards can absorb impacts, safeguarding the wall in the most vulnerable areas near the floor.

How to Select Beautiful Skirting Boards?

A fundamental rule to follow is that skirting boards should coordinate with the flooring. This is particularly essential regarding performance features and usability. When you choose a skirting board from the same producer as the flooring, you can ensure it will match the floor's color perfectly. Opting for a company renowned for its experience in skirting production usually means a broader color palette and better technical specifications.

1. Color Consideration

The first aspect to contemplate is the color of the skirting. Two popular strategies involve either matching the skirting board to the flooring in texture and color or coordinating it with other elements in the interior, such as window or door frames. The most common choice in this case is a white skirting board. Keeping skirting boards that are matched to the floor can make a space appear larger, while high-contrast colored boards can optically shrink the perception of the room. Here are three color matching solutions for skirting boards:

Matching Skirting with Floor Color

Several options are available here. A safe choice entails opting for skirting from the same floor producer, ensuring a proper match in shade and structure. If you have a light-colored floor, the room will look more spacious with correspondingly colored skirting. This selection method is popular and reliable, providing a classic, cohesive look that appeals to many guests. Another good option is to utilize universal skirting, which is often cheaper and widely available.

Within the extensive range of skirting boards, there are 'perfect match' skirting types. These are designed by the manufacturer to align in shade and character with the flooring. The hues of these skirting boards are achieved through the same methods as the floor (e.g., laminating foil applied to the skirting core) or using high-resolution digital printing. One such example is the TORE skirting from ARBITON, boasting the same color as their floor achieved through high-definition piezoelectric UV digital printing technology. Additionally, 'matched' skirting is also produced to match primarily in color. However, the downside of this solution is its limited availability after ordering, which can fluctuate based on color trends. If you consider renovation in a few years, the specific product might not be available any longer.

Finally, there are universal skirtings, which are extremely popular due to their availability in a wide array of colors suited for various flooring options.

Matching Skirting with Wall Color

A growing trend involves coordinating skirting with wall colors to create a unified appearance. Alternatively, a striking effect can be achieved by contrasting different colors, causing the skirting to 'pop.' For instance, pairing white skirting with a dark wall is visually appealing, just as attaching dark skirting to a white wall can create a stunning look. Both methods radiate a modern feel but require careful planning and professional installation.

Matching Skirting with Door Frames and Cabinets

Harmonizing the color of skirting with door frames, doors, or cabinet fronts is increasingly popular, as it creates a unified vertical structure in the interior. However, it's critical to pay close attention to the colors, as each manufacturer may have slightly different shades—even something as straightforward as white skirting can vary from brand to brand. Many designers currently refer to the RAL color palette to determine exact colors—for example, RAL is commonly used to represent white colors. Comparing shapes and dimensions across various manufacturers becomes easier when color consistency is ensured through RAL coding.

2. Height and Material of Skirting Board

As a rule of thumb, high skirting boards (8 cm and above) are suitable for interiors with heights above 260 cm. If you're seeking skirting boards for a typical family home or an attic, consider 6-8 cm options.

Low-profile skirtings, standing at 4-5 cm in height, can be simple quarter-round strips or short plinths. Their lower height makes them ideal for creating a seamless transition with the floor, enhancing the sense of space in smaller rooms. However, they generally offer lesser visual impact and functional protection, with 4 cm often insufficient to safeguard the walls from everyday bumps from cleaning appliances.

Skirting boards measuring 6-8 cm in height are the most versatile option, appropriate for nearly every room, maintaining natural proportions. Skirting boards over 10 cm are best suited for ceilings above 280 cm, though they can seem extravagant and may disrupt proportions in traditional interiors if not used judiciously.

There's an array of materials available, including solid wood, MDF, non-PVC products, and hybrid skirtings.

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If you seek more details, please visit skirting manufacturer.

Solid wood skirting boards can be painted, lacquered, or veneered (thin wood layers utilized for cabinet fronts). They offer an elegant appearance, though lack practical functionality, as they are not ideal for vinyl floors, which can lead to water damage.

MDF skirtings can be lacquered, veneered, or coated with paper. These boards are widely available with a great selection of styles. While the surfaces are resistant to mechanical damage, they are not entirely moisture resistant; extensive exposure can lead to swelling, delamination, or cracking. Moreover, they require skill for precise cutting, especially at 45-degree angles, during installation.

Metal skirtings, composed of aluminum or stainless steel, offer a modern touch but are less common due to higher costs and subjective design preferences.

Traditional plastic skirting boards are cost-effective and waterproof; however, they may visually disrupt the overall appearance due to visible mounting channels or protruding corners. For vinyl panels, consider skirting boards made from non-PVC materials, such as VIDELIT, known for its ecological properties and resistance to moisture and mechanical damage. Hybrid technology skirting boards offer a blend of beauty and waterproof qualities, with high mechanical resistance.

3. Opt for Waterproofing

If your floor is waterproof, such as vinyl or laminate panels with moisture-resistant features, then the skirting boards should also be waterproof. This principle is essential. Numerous waterproof skirting options are available.

For instance, ARBITON's latest hybrid skirting proposal, the TORE skirting board, comes in two heights (6 cm and 8 cm) and is characterized by its unique shape and smooth matte surface. It seamlessly combines flexibility and waterproofing (attributes associated with PVC skirtings) with the elegant appearance of lacquered profiles. The high-resolution UV piezoelectric digital printing technology offers perfect color reproduction, matching the selected floor with remarkable accuracy. The TORE skirting board stands out for being completely waterproof and easy to maintain, available in a wide range of colors aligned with ARBITON vinyl click panels, including wood, concrete, and stone finishes. Its simple and quick installation is facilitated through either clips or glue.

The STIQ skirting board, designed for vinyl floors, features a modern shape, colors, and durability, making it an ideal match for rooms with vinyl planks. Thanks to its narrow profile, it complements any room while accentuating the floor’s features. The STIQ skirting board comes in two trendy gray shades—RAL and RAL.

The VIGO skirting board has gained popularity since last year due to its production technology, enhancing flexibility and water resistance. A notable feature of the VIGO skirting is its integrated sealing strips, creating a waterproof barrier. This not only simplifies installation but also ensures a durable connection without the need for additional finishing with silicone. Furthermore, the smooth surface resists dirt buildup, making cleaning easier. The solid core allows for simple angled cutting, and many dedicated accessories are available (corners, connectors, joints), offering a straightforward installation process using clips or glue. VIGO is available in universal white and natural wood colors, suitable for more understated designs.

Proper Installation of Skirting Boards

Skirting boards can be attached using dedicated clips fixed to the wall or adhesive. While the latter method is convenient, it can become costly compared to clips, as one cartridge of glue typically covers about eight running meters and costs around 7-8 EUR. Glue application avoids drilling and is quite efficient. However, it’s important to note that skirting mounted this way becomes a permanent part of the interior design; any future painting must be approached carefully to prevent damage. Detached skirting can occur due to stress, especially when using non-flexible boards.

When using glue, always opt for adhesives recommended by the manufacturer. The clip installation process involves first mounting a structural element to the wall, then securing the board using hooks. The clips are fastened to the wall every 40-50 cm, especially near corners, keeping the mounting discreet. The advantage of rails over clips is achieving a straight line without worrying about maintaining the level, as traditional walls often have imperfections. Some skirting boards come with elastic rubbers to compensate for uneven surfaces, creating a waterproof connection. If no silicone gaskets are integrated, finishing might involve additional acrylic work.

Corners require careful consideration when installing skirting boards; ready-made elements (available for plastic or hybrid skirtings) or cuts made at 45 degrees are options depending on material. Cutting at angles demands time and experience; while ready-made parts might lack visual appeal, they are increasingly available with appealing designs such as mini-corners for hybrid skirtings like VIGO 80 boards.

Final Considerations When Choosing Skirting Boards

Pursuing the lowest price is not always the wisest approach. Universal skirtings might be the least expensive, but hybrid technology products offer enhanced solutions worth the investment. As innovative products emerge, expect higher prices. Therefore, for achieving a stunning effect for new flooring, don't compromise quality by opting for the cheapest options; instead, select tailored solutions specific to your panels.

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