Tips for choosing a skirting board for the floor

Kirill Nesmeyanov

How to choose a baseboard is a seemingly simple question. Being a decorative and at the same time protective finishing element, the skirting board is responsible for two tasks. Firstly, the decorative strip hides the imperfection of the seams between the walls and the flooring. Secondly, it improves the interior of the room, being part of the design. The material and color of the skirting board are selected according to numerous parameters in order to cause the expected resonance in the style.

A correctly selected baseboard will become a “highlight” of the interior

An improperly selected panel levels the charms and ideas of the decor, no matter how harmoniously the ceilings, walls and floor look. If you choose the panel bar correctly, then vice versa - problem spaces are technically hidden, each element of the room is assembled into a complete unified concept.

When choosing a decorative panel, consider the following 4 factors.

1. Purpose of the room
   For a residential building or industrial building, in the bathroom or hallway, in the kitchen or in the bedroom, different skirting variations are installed.
   Ceramic plinths, a panel made of plastic or artificial stone will adequately serve in buildings with a high coefficient of humidity. Ceramic or MDF skirting boards are suitable for objects with high traffic.
2. Room design
   Classic, hi-tech, country or baroque - the baseboard must not contradict the style of the room. Let the color of the baseboard be natural and made of natural components, if it is classicism. When choosing decoration elements in the store, ask the consultant to show you planks of the type “baseboard pvc oak color” or “baseboard walnut antique”. In a retro-style room, put a vintage (antique) panel. Skirting boards in aluminum or plastic are allowed in the decor of modern style.
3. Space dimensions
   Correctly selected material, depending on the initial task, will visually reduce or increase the amount of space. With low ceilings, the room will be harmonious with a light finish, and darkened skirting boards and flooring will comfortably lie in a spacious hall.
4. Key
   There is no comprehensive tone palette guide. But lilac with green shades, pink with blue are difficult to combine in one zone. Let the color of the skirting board respond not only to the shade of the flooring, but also to the coloring of the window and door.
   In addition, each type of skirting board is characterized by individual performance indicators. Let's take a look at the secrets of professional selection.

How to choose the color of the skirting board?

Today, the range of skirting boards has virtually no limits.

The color of the baseboard is a priority parameter for selection. The tone of the product is selected by the following methods:

Based on the color of the flooring. This technique is considered a popular classic of the genre. Recommended for conservatives who fear design contrasts. Using the “color method”, the risk of imbalance in the interior is minimized. Choose a decorative strip for shades of the floor or with a difference of 1-2 tones. Such a finish will ideally lie on the floor, decorated with solid wood, relin, parquet or laminate.

Skirting board in the color of the flooring.

Based on the color of the walls. The method is relevant when the walls are painted in the same color.Do not rush to purchase a skirting board before painting the walls. It is better to do this when the paint is already dry. So you will not lose with the choice of shades.

Skirting board in the color of the walls

Based on the color of the interior doors. Use the method only if the skirting boards are identical in height to the width of the door platbands. The method is especially good when the task is to install a door, the color of which is fundamentally different from the furniture, the color of the walls and floors. If you combine the baseboard in the color of the doors with the tonality of the window frames, you will get just a perfect picture.

Skirting door color

Based on the contrasts. A bold decision is not to choose a skirting board in the color of the walls, but rather the shade of which contrasts with the tones of the flooring, doors ... The “Method of Contrasts” will suit a master with a delicate taste. This will harmonize seemingly incompatible tones. In order not to miscalculate, experiment on paper sketches or in appropriate computer applications.

Contrast solution in the interior

What floor skirting can be made of?

The next factor in choosing decorative panels is their material. When purchasing a skirting panel, rely on the basis of the floors of the house.

• Ceramic skirting boards, which have recently entered the market, can effectively process ceramics. the tile.
• MDF skirting, also known as veneered skirting, successfully decorate laminated or parquet flooring.
• Laminate floors, a parquet board or a piece of parquet flooring complete the wooden plinth.
• PVC skirting boards predominantly finish carpet, linoleum or tile coverings. Among the rest, PVC skirting is recognized as an affordable and affordable alternative.

Wooden baseboard: pros and cons

Among the constantly emerging innovations, wood remains the most popular.

Wooden baseboard and its variations

Durable, durable, environmentally friendly, elegant and easy to install, it is still characterized by some disadvantages. Among them are cost, sensitivity to a humid climate and heat fluctuations. Therefore, a wooden decorative panel is not applicable in kitchen facilities, in a bathroom.

Tip: Before installing the skirting board, make sure the walls are flawless. On an uneven basis, wood is deformed in a short time and will affect the decor of the room. Adhesives with increased adhesion are contraindicated in the installation of a wooden baseboard. If in the future the moisture level changes, the internal oppression of the tree will tear off the decorative panel from the wall. Sometimes this happens along with part of the wall.

Choose a trim strip from the components that the floor. Cheaper - pine skirting. Cherry, teak, alder, birch plinth will cost more. Suspicious low cost of finishing material should alert you. Unscrupulous manufacturers sometimes put on the market a skirting board glued from 3 longitudinal wood layers.

The configuration, section, width of the skirting boards - vary. You can also make a trim strip to order. An individual product will precisely repeat kinks and difficult protrusions.

When processing the panel with wax or varnish, do not forget: the color of the skirting board may change. It will be possible to predict the consequences of processing if you moisten a piece of raw baseboard surface with a sponge.

Veneered baseboard

Its structure resembles a parquet board. The basic composition is spruce or pine. The upper layer is covered with valuable wood species (bamboo, pear, walnut, oak).

Veneered baseboard

The main characteristics are identical to a wooden plinth panel, but the cost of veneered is lower. The relief of the baseboard, its color, choose according to your taste and budget. It is worth noting: modern veneer products have a cable channel that helps hide electrical wires.

MDF skirting board

This finishing material from a finely dispersed fraction, referring to its quality and cost, can be safely called the golden mean.

Baseboard MDF

MDF skirting board is practically not inferior to wood panels, and sometimes even surpasses them. At the same time, the cost of MDF skirting is much lower. Pressed sawdust does not pose a risk to human health and is non-toxic. The surface of the plank is painted, laminated or covered with natural wood veneer, so hundreds of options are found on the market.

MDF skirting board:

• It tolerates ultraviolet exposure, dampness and heat fluctuations.
• Antistatic
• Relatively inexpensive
• Plasticity of the finishing material provides an opportunity to fix it on curving walls.

The disadvantage of this finishing material is one. In terms of mechanical strength and durability, it is inferior to wood panels, but outperforms plastic ones.

Hard plastic baseboard

Elegant and affordable - plastic baseboard - a frequent purchase in stores of finishing materials.

Hard plastic baseboard

Foamed polyvinyl chloride - the basic component of a plastic baseboard. The product varies in a variety of colors and reliefs. Choosing the right design option will not be a problem.

PVC skirting board:

• Characterized by competitive value
• Resistant to moisture, rotting
• Hollow inside, which allows you to hide wires under its surface
• It tolerates ultraviolet radiation and heat fluctuations.

Cons of PVC skirting board:

• This material cannot be called eco-friendly.
• Short in operation
• It is characterized by low mechanical strength.

Finishing material is equipped with front and mounting parts. The latter is fixed with screws on the wall, so the “face” always remains smooth. The space between the two parts allows you to put inside the electrical cables and wiring.

The plinth for carpets is made in the form of a L-shaped platband, which allows you to completely hide the trim element from the human eye. It is comfortable and aesthetically pleasing.

Flexible baseboard

An excellent alternative to the curved space of custom shapes.

Flexible baseboard

The flexibility of the decorative panel is achieved by modifying the structure of the polymer threads. It is made of a plinth. To keep the product flexible, it is stored in its intended packaging. In order to realize seamless installation of the skirting board, the product is configured in a long strip at the factory.

Flexible baseboard:

• Plastic and able to take any shape
• It’s easy to care for him.
• Resistant to changes in moisture and temperature conditions

Among the shortcomings of a flexible baseboard, it is worth highlighting the cost and installation, which requires certain skills.

Ceramic skirting board

In the recent past, ceramic skirting was made only by hand. Tiles cut into segments did not always have smooth edges, and the aesthetic effect was reduced. A modern ceramic skirting board is almost always offered in a repair kit with ceramics. stove. Forming the design of the kitchen, try to find a skirting board in the color of the countertop. The effect will delight you.

Mounting a ceramic skirting board

Ceramic baseboard:

• Reliable and high strength
• It withstands ultraviolet, damp, changes in air temperature, which means it is an ideal alternative for an entrance hall, kitchen or bathroom.
• Stable in its shapes and sizes.

Installing ceramic plinths will not cause difficulties. Its fixation is similar to laying ordinary tiles. Just stock up with glue, a rubber or wooden hammer for nailing and moisture-proof grout to mask the seams.

Skirting board

The production of metal skirting boards is made of brass, aluminum, stainless steel.

Skirting board

A metal baseboard is characteristic:

• Its reliability
• Aesthetic appearance
• Wear resistance
• The presence of a sinus for laying electrical cables
• Ultra-, thermal-, moisture- and mechanical resistance

Along with numerous advantages, a metal baseboard is not cheap. There is a second caveat. With the exception of porcelain stoneware, bulk floors and commercial linoleum, metal skirting is difficult to harmonize with other materials. An excellent design alternative to a metal baseboard is if you prefer high-tech.

Cork Skirting Board

Cork Skirting Board

The material is not very popular. Cork tree bark is its basic component. The price category is higher than the rest of the species. Color schemes are also limited. But cork skirting can be called a completely natural and environmentally friendly finish. The panel will harmoniously complement cork wallpaper or flooring from the same material.

Skirting board size selection

When analyzing how to choose the size of the baseboard, first of all think about the dimensions of the space.

A large room will require the installation of panels on high slats. Look for the baseboard in the color of the flooring. An alternative is experimenting with a contrast solution.

With an average ceiling height, choose a skirting board with a height of 4 - 7 centimeters. There is plenty of this segment on the market, so buying the right one will not result in an unforeseen difficulty.

A small room is acceptable level of 3-5 centimeters. The color of the plinth is more logical to adjust to the shade of the walls. So the decorative strip will become a natural extension of the wall, and the space will expand visually.

Skirting board and interior style

Pick a skirting board according to style

The latest tips on choosing a baseboard for decor style:

• For classics, use a high wood or MDF panel, embossed skirtings of darkened wood shades, or pure white. Analyze the color of the ceiling plinths, if any. Consider inconsistent contrasts in the interior.
• Concise minimalism recommends an unpretentious, smooth, flat finish panel made of metal or MDF, in rare cases - plastic or wood.
• Hi-tech - apply plastic, MDF or a metal baseboard to this style.
• Simple and simple country style prefers natural materials of natural shades. It is clear that a wooden plinth will be most appropriate here.
• Intricate, soft and plastic Art Nouveau harmoniously complement a flexible plastic baseboard.

Although the installation of the skirting board is the final part of the finishing work, we advise you to think through at least approximately what configuration, shades and dimensions your skirting board will be at the initial stages of the repair work. Having decided, proceed with the repair. And when at the end the final tones of the walls and floors become apparent, get the desired baseboard.

Tips for choosing a skirting board for the floor: Video