When it comes to designing an interior, many big and small factors go into the plan and the progress. One such element is a Skirting Board. While it’s a small detail in a space, it plays an important role.

What is Skirting?
Skirting is a common interior element that all of us have seen but may not recognize by the term. Skirting boards – also known as baseboards - run along the perimeter of a room where flooring and walls meet. Skirting boards are commonly wooden and are used to cover the base of walls.

What are Skirting Boards For?
Floor installation often ends up leaving unequal surfaces on the edge. Or worse, a gap between flooring and wall! This gap can make space for dust and debris which is hard to clean off due to the narrow space, moreover makes room for wiring which can be dangerous if left uncovered.

The gap can make walls and floors more vulnerable to damage. Due to the very gap, flooring will eventually lose its durability with no support on its ends. Moreover, when a floor is being mopped, walls can absorb water which can damage them. Any furniture set against the wall can also leave scratches and marks. Overall, no skirting boards ask for frequent repairs and high maintenance.

That’s why skirting boards are so important. They cover the gap between flooring and walls, cover the wiring and don’t allow any dust or debris to enter that narrow space. This indirectly contributes to your flooring’s longevity.

Skirting Boards also shield the walls and protect them against any liquid solution on the floor. Moreover, due to the board’s thickness, it doesn’t allow any furniture to stand flush against the wall and therefore, protects the wall from any possible knocks and scratches. Skirting Boards also bring a professional and clean appearance to your interior. Ultimately Skirting acts as a protective shield and support to your flooring as well as your walls.
But do not confuse Skirting with Beading.

What is the difference between Skirting and Beading?
Both are the strip that runs along the base of the wall and the perimeter of the room. However, the minor difference is that the skirting covers the wide gap between the wall and the flooring.

However when you get new flooring installed it leaves a gap between the floor and the existing skirting. Reinstalling skirting boards can be expensive and time-consuming. Thus, this gap is covered by beading.

There are two types of beading - Scotia and Quadrant, differentiated based on their shape and appearance. While Scotia gives you a concave curve, Quadrant gives you a convex curve.

    

Coming back to Skirting, interestingly enough, while it is a small (and important) detail in a space, it is available in great variety in the market, ranging across various types of materials and profiles.

In this article we will list some of the most durable and stylish Hardwood Skirting Board Profiles for you and your interiors:

Bullnose Skirting Board
If you have a minimalistic style, this skirting profile is the one for you! Bullnose – also known as ‘pencil round’ - is a minimalistic skirting board; a simple profile that consists plain and smooth surface with a small radius at the top. Due to its wide popularity in the market, it is commonly used by professionals as well as general enthusiasts.

One of the common reasons behind its popularity is its low maintenance design. Its simple profile makes it easy to clean, and moreover, it’s stylish and compliments almost any interior theme. It brings a neat finish to the space. Due to its simplicity, it’s also one of the rare skirting options which look elegant with any height or depth.

Chamfer Skirting Board
The chamfer is the standard skirting board in the UK which is popular for its simple yet modern profile. Its body is much like Bullnose but instead of a smooth surface, it takes a sharp steep cut upwards. It’s neither traditional nor extraordinary, yet it's stylish and just the right profile to compliment most interior designs. It goes along the best with contemporary interiors.

Like bullnose, Chamfer’s simplicity makes it easy to clean which contributes to its durability and longevity. This profile is considered popular among the traders of the industry.

Ogee Skirting Board
If you’re a fan of everything fancy, Ogee might be the right skirting profile for you! It is a classic skirting board that features a wavy profile and brings a fancy element to the interior.

This profile subtly stands out without being excessive and compliments traditional as well as modern spaces. An interesting fact? Under the right angle of the lamp’s gleam, its wavy profile leaves an elegant shadow that indirectly contributes to the interior and is pleasing to the viewer. Therefore, this skirting board never goes out of style. More importantly, it is highly durable and can effortlessly stand the test of time. Therefore, it is commonly used by professionals.

Note: You may not find a uniform curvy profile of the Ogee skirting board as its design differs depending upon the manufacturer.

At Wittswood we can adhere to any specifications and requirements so we can also create a custom design as per your preferences as well as any other specifications.

Torus Skirting Board
You might be familiar with Torus skirting boards because this is one of the best-selling skirting profiles all over the UK and has led the trend for a while now. Torus features a simple profile with a semi-circular tube running along with the board.

It is stylish yet minimalistic and available in a wide range. This profile is easy to clean and requires low maintenance which makes it is one of the most durable profiles. Moreover, it compliments almost all interior themes. Due to its popularity and features, it is commonly used by traders.

At Wittswood, we enjoy working on custom projects. So if you have any specifications or would like to get something entirely new and innovative, whether skirting or any other product, we’re so up for it and guarantee the quality of our work.

All our skirting boards are available in the following hardwoods - Oak, Ash, Sapele, Maple and Beech.

You can also get a wide range of stains: Graphite, Antique Oak, Cappuccino, Harvest Oak, Toffee, Walnut, Barley and Golden Oak.

If you’d like to know more about Flooring Accessories, you can read our blog - Accessorise Your Hardwood Flooring!

Would you like to switch to Hardwood Flooring? It’s sustainable and has endless benefits! Find everything you need to know in our blog - An Honest Guide to Wood Floor Installation!

We hope this article was helpful. For any queries, orders or specifications, you can call us on 01205 722 700!

Have a lovely day!