Choosing your skirting boards
The best starting point is the room itself: its proportions, its existing features and the finish you want to create.
Start with the profile
Simple square, bullnose and chamfered designs give a clean edge. Grooved profiles add a little detail without a deep moulding. Torus, Ogee and other shaped profiles can work especially well where you want a more traditional feel. There are no fixed rules: compare the silhouette with your doors, cornice and other joinery.
Think about height and depth
A taller board can balance high ceilings or a substantial door surround. A smaller profile often suits a more restrained room. Mark the proposed height on the wall with low-tack tape and look at it from across the room. Check the board depth against the edge of your architrave and any pipes, sockets or radiator brackets.
Choose your material
Moisture-resistant MDF provides a consistent surface for painting. It is not waterproof and still needs appropriate finishing. Pine brings natural grain and knots, which need suitable preparation if you plan to paint. Solid oak has individual grain and colour variation and can be finished to celebrate its natural character.
Plan the finish
Choose from the options shown on the product. Unprimed boards need preparation and a suitable finishing system. White priming prepares the surface for subsequent coats; it is not a finished topcoat. Follow the coating manufacturer’s guidance and seal cut edges as appropriate.
Check before ordering
Confirm the material, dimensions, length and any rebate. Available combinations vary between products. If you are matching an existing board, measure the profile as well as its overall height and depth.