Skirting Boards

[Kiyoshi]

If you're painting them white anyway, and don't mind cutting MDF (you should wear a mask) then I prefer MDF. I just find it easier for the reasons above, but some people don't like it because it's not real timber - each to their own of course.

It's relatively simple to DIY skirting, the hardest part is the corners as robj20 said but if you get a cheap mitre box to help it's a lot easier. You can also hide a multitude of sins with your filler of choice.

 

[HPTL7]

What about something like this
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Silverlin...840928?hash=item19e8dae0e0:g:~gEAAOSwr81UUUXq

 

[Big Spender]

Where did you buy it from?
homebase seems the only local merchant that sells this.

http://www.eurocell.co.uk/homeowners/interior-products/skirting-and-architrave

when i redecorated my hallway and kitchen, i got some 90mm tall round top trim and used that as skirting and also replaced the fascia around the doors with upvc aswell

 

[robj20]

I don't think they are much good, what if you want 48 degrees or 42. Best to transfer the angle onto the skirting then cut to that, get really accurate corners then.

 

[Kiyoshi]

Yes I used something similar.

If your room walls aren't true angles (like mine), you may find that the corner angles don't quite line up. It's nothing that a tub of filler and a bit of 'sculpting' can't fix though - that's my excuse anyway

 

[Big Spender]

painters caulk all the things!

 

[Banzai_Joe]

As has been said , if you're painting them then use MDF. Good thing about MDF is its more flexible than timber and won't warp (unless you soak it). Most timber you'll get will be warped to some extent and that makes guing it a nightmare. Most walls aren't square either.
Personally i bought a sheet from a timber yard, ripped it down to size on my table saw (you could use a circular saw), then angled the blade on the saw to 45° and put a chamfered edge on it.
Loads cheaper than buying them in ready-made lengths, BUT ready-made is aboslutley fine if you have the extra money and don't want the fuss of making your own.
Never used upvc, would be interested to see how that 'truly' looks.

 

[Russinating]

We've gone with solid wood on all ours and we're leaving them unpainted, just stained. They look much nicer/more premium than MDF and although none of them are straight/flat I find covering up sins with wood filler is far easier and more forgiving than using caulk on MDF.

 

[koolpc]

We've gone with solid wood on all ours and we're leaving them unpainted, just stained. They look much nicer/more premium than MDF and although none of them are straight/flat I find covering up sins with wood filler is far easier and more forgiving than using caulk on MDF.

This. Our house has all wood ones, waxed. Looks lovely

 

[AHarvey]

my 2 pence, avoid oak skirting.

No straight walls, pain to cut due to how hard it is and a nightmare to fit.

Next room i'll be ordering MDF style and painting, one website online has reversible skirting so you can choose one of 2 designs and run cables behind it.

 

[HPTL7]

I too do not have straight walls. Will it look tacky?

 

[Maccapacca]

I've just fitted 25m of pre finished mdf skirting from wickes. Needs to be gripfilled on but saves hours of painting for a couple of pound a metre extra.

Caulk all the gaps after. Job done.

 

[ash_91]

the guy came around for a few quote. For 2 rooms and the hallway he is charging £200 labour only. Seems too much for 2 rooms. They are small too.

It's a days money, that's what I would charge as you can't really go on too something else after

 

[mattyg]

http://mdfskirtingworld.co.uk/epages/www_mdfskirtingworld_co_uk.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=Categories

Ive used the HDF throughout my house, fantastic quality.

I spent £600 with them last year on some 300 odd mm stuff. NO issues with the skirts but the primer used on the small arch's is shocking. Looks like they sprayed it in a sand storm.

However I'll still be using them for more skirts

 

[HPTL7]

Ok, i have bought the skirting boards.
Question
Can I paint the skirting boards before fixing it on?

 

[Banzai_Joe]

Of course. Thats simply a choice of before or after.
Personally i do them before as i have dogs and cats....and kids. Its much easier to paint first, fix them on caulk up, then just go over the top lip and caulk with some paint if need be.
I only use water based satinwood as it dries quick. Again....cos of the animals.

 

[Business Man]

Just a quick question with regards to skirting, should it be slightly thinner than the architrave or can it all be done in 18mm? I see everyone recommends the 18mm mdf or hdf skirting

 

[Banzai_Joe]

IMHO it should be the same thickness seeing as they meet up. It looks daft when one sticks out proud above the other.

 

[a1ex2001]

Ok, i have bought the skirting boards.
Question
Can I paint the skirting boards before fixing it on?

Be careful if painting pine skirting before fixing if it is reasonably tall as it will almost certainly curve if you don't paint both sides at the same time this makes it a right pain as is another plus point for MDF skirting!

Just a quick question with regards to skirting, should it be slightly thinner than the architrave or can it all be done in 18mm? I see everyone recommends the 18mm mdf or hdf skirting

We have the same thickness it looks nicer!