Investing in skirting boards is a great way to protect your walls and add a unique flair to your home. You might be surprised by the wide variety of options that will be available to you, once you start shopping around. From ogee to torus and chamfered to plastic, the choices are endless.
Depending on your personal taste, your house’s interior layout, and the height of your walls, you will have to choose a skirting board that provides not only protection but that also looks great. To help you choose the best type we’ve created a complete list of all the options that will be available to you.
MATERIAL
Firstly, you should narrow down your choice by looking at the different materials used to create the board. Common materials used are plastic, wood, hardwood, and softwood board (MDF).
Plastic units, which are usually made from a UPVC, are a cheap alternative to wooden skirting boards. They are more affordable because they can be mass-produced. Unfortunately, this results in a lesser quality product. UPVC makes the installation difficult and can pose other problems for the future. Watch this video on how to install your own skirting boards at home.
Wooden boards, whether hard or soft, can be varnished and painted in any color. Opting for a wooden product will probably be your best bet when looking at durability and longevity. Not only are they much easier to install, but they also create a naturally pleasing aesthetic in the home.
Hardwoods like oak is an eco-friendly option and will be available from credible suppliers. It’s important that consumers check with the supplier to ensure that they are certified and that wood comes from managed and licensed forests.
Builders will always advise consumers to invest in wooden skirting boards. The wood creates beautiful textures and shapes that can add a classy aesthetic to a room by only adding a varnish. Hardwood is more expensive but can last a very long time when regularly treated.
Softwood is a cheaper alternative but is prone to warping over time when exposed to damp weather. Learn more about different materials used in skirting here: https://www.residencestyle.com/what-are-different-types-of-skirting-board-to-choose-from/
PROFILES
Once you’ve decided on the kind of material you want your product to be made out of, you can decide on the profile. The profile of a skirting board refers to the overall shape. There are four main types of shapes that consumers can choose from; torus, ogee, bullnose, and chamfered.
Torus
The torus profile features a half crescent moon shape that fills almost one-fourth of the top of the board. The rest of the profile is a sleek downward slant.
Without going to over the top, the torus profile still provides a bit of design flair to a room.
Ogee
The ogee profile creates three different sections on the board and is more ornate than the torus profile. The top part featuring a square shape, the middle part a half-moon crescent that stops in the middle of the board, and the bottom half going down at a steep slant.
It’s a classic design that’s perfect for hallways, dining rooms, living rooms, and bedrooms that want to feature a timeless look.
Bullnose
This design is as simple as it is clean. It features a slight rounding at the top of the board. Without any elaborate carvings, the board has a straight line to the floor. It’s perfect for modern rooms and small cottages that desire a simple finish.
You can order bullnose skirting boards direct to your door from online or through timber mills, as the design is simple and easy to produce.
Chamfered
Similar to the bullnose profile, a chamfered skirting has a rounding at the top. It gives a little bit more character with a slight rounding in the middle that gives it a plump appeal.
This profile provides a little bit more flair without being as flamboyant or ornate as the ogee or torus design.
Once you have chosen the material and profile features, you are free to pick any kind of finish you would like. Whether you want to paint the skirting the same colors as your wall, leave it naturally wooden, or go for a bolder approach by painting it a different color; one thing is for sure, skirting boards can bring the look of a room together.
