Skirting Board Frequently Asked Questions
When you need a quick answer, we’re here for you!
Should I plaster before fitting skirting board?
Yes. Plastering up to skirting will be more trouble.
Make plastering as easy as possible for yourself!
How do I fit skirting board to an uneven wall?
Skirting board will flex slightly, so you should use strong fixing screws close together (about 20cm apart) along the length of an
uneven wall.
These should pull the board close to the wall. If you need to improve the flexibility,
you can cut vertical lines in the back of the board to about half
the depth of the skirting. These will help the boards to flex.
Should I paint skirting before or after fitting?
Either is fine, but if you have the time, paint the skirting first then let it dry before fitting. It
will make life easier, simply because you won't have to worry about accident getting paint on the floor or walls.
Should I fit skirting before or after fitting a carpet?
Carpet is usually fitted after the skirting board, and is laid to reach the edge of the skirting.
Should I fit skirting before or after fitting a wood floor?
Wood floors should be fitted before the skirting board, so that the skirting neatly covers the edges of the floor panels.
Laying a wood floor before fitting
skirting board.
How do I fit
skirting
to a brick and plaster wall?
Some people use a strong glue, such as "no more nails", others use nails, but
using wall plugs and screws gives the best results. See our page on
fitting skirting board
for a step-by-step guide.
How do I remove old
Skirting
boards?
Where painted walls meet
skirting
board, first score a line in the paint between the wall and the board.
This will stop the paint on the wall coming away with the board.
If you can see screws, unscrew them. Glue or nails should just come away as you prise the
skirting away, so
now just use a crowbar or other lever to gently pull the
skirting from the wall.
Scoring a line in the paint above the skirting board would
have prevented the paint coming away from the wall.
See also our page on fitting skirting board.
If you haven’t found what you need, please leave us some feedback - and we’ll try and
add you questions to the list.
