When it comes to the final touches on your interior, one of the most overlooked items is skirting boards. But they serve an important function in bringing an even finish to your walls and cabinets. If you’re making over a room or just updating old skirting, these tips will get you through the process quickly and easily. You need only basic DIY skills and tools to install new skirting around your walls.
The trickiest part is measuring correctly and getting the angles right. If you can manage that, it’s smooth sailing from there. Here are some instructions on how you can paint and install skirting boards with ease.
What Are Skirting Boards?
Skirting boards, or baseboards, are the boards that run along the bottom of your walls. They add an instant finish to the room and help hide any uneven wall and flooring joins, as well as any pipes or other fixtures. Baseboards are usually made from wood, but they can also be found in vinyl or other materials. The skirting board is the finishing touch to any room.
Marking Out And Cutting The Skirting Board
Measure the wall, and mark the wall where the baseboard will sit on the ground. You can use a yardstick, chalk line, or pencil. Use a mark on the wall as a guide for the baseboard placement. The mark on the wall is where the top of the baseboard will be.
You can measure the gap between the wall and the floor, and use that as a guide. Your skirting board will sit on the ground, so measure from the baseboard to the ground, and mark that on your wall.
Installing The Baseboard
Make sure your baseboard is in good condition and wash it with warm water and soap if needed. Let it dry completely before you install it. If the baseboard is damaged or chipped, make repairs before installation. Place the baseboard against the wall where you marked it, and make sure the top sits 10mm below the mark on the wall. Use a level to check the vertical lines.
If the wall is uneven, you can shim under the baseboard to make the fit flush against the wall. You can use a thin piece of wood or cardboard to shim the baseboard. Use a hammer to tap the baseboard into place, and finish by nailing it to the wall with a nail gun or hammer.
Paint The Baseboard And Trim
You can choose to paint the baseboard and skirting boards before or after installation, but for easier clean-up, it’s best to paint them before installation. Use a brush or roller to paint the boards. Apply two coats of paint where needed. Once the paint is dry, you can install the skirting boards and baseboard. Use a nail gun to nail the boards in place or hammer in the nails by hand.
Conclusion
Once your skirting is installed, it’s time to put the finishing touches on the room. You can add curtains or blinds to windows, and you can add things like shelves or pictures on the wall. You can also plant flowers or add an indoor plant as a finishing touch to the room.
It’s a good idea to paint the skirting before or after installation, and then add the finishing touches like curtains and pictures to complete the look. Visit mdfskirtingworld.co.uk.