Choosing the Right Skirting for your Flooring

If you’re decorating a room and installing new flooring, the skirting boards play an important role in tying everything together. They cover the joint between the wall and floor, but they also make things neat and add a decorative touch to your room. Let’s explore the best skirting options whether you have carpet, laminate or vinyl floors.

Skirting for Carpeted Floors

Carpeted floors are warm, comfortable and taller skirting boards often suit carpets better. A height of 145mm to 168mm works well as it allows for the carpet to be tucked underneath, creating a neat finish. When it comes to installing skirting with carpet, it’s important to fit the boards before laying the carpet. This allows the carpet fitter to trim the edges precisely and tuck them under the skirting for a professional look. Wooden skirting boards are a popular choice for carpeted floors as they can be painted to match your decor or left with a natural wood finish for a classic look.

Skirting for Laminate Flooring

Skirting for laminate floors usually has two options – matching laminate skirting or traditional wooden boards. Laminate skirting boards are designed to match your flooring exactly, which can create a seamless look. They’re easy to install and maintain, which makes them a practical choice. However, if you prefer a more traditional appearance, wooden skirting boards can work well with laminate floors, too. In this case, you might opt for a slightly shorter height, around 95mm to 115mm, to complement the modern design of laminate flooring.

Skirting for Vinyl Floors

Vinyl flooring is known for its water-resistant properties and wide range of designs. Vinyl skirting boards are available to match your flooring, and they give a cohesive look and excellent protection against splashes and spills. This makes them particularly useful in areas prone to moisture, such as kitchens or bathrooms. Alternatively, you can use wooden skirting boards painted with water-resistant paint for added protection. For vinyl floors, a medium height skirting of about 115mm to 145mm often works well as it can look neat, tidy and not overwhelm the space.

Regardless of which type of flooring you have, it is important to consider the overall style of your room when choosing which skirting would look best. Contemporary spaces might benefit from modern or minimalist skirting, while period properties often suit more ornate designs. It also doesn’t just need to be functional – some people also choose to use it as a design feature in its own right.