How To Choose New Skirting Boards For Your Laminate Flooring

Installing laminate flooring is a fantastic way to enhance the look of your home, but the finishing touches, such as baseboards and skirting, play an equally important role in creating a polished appearance. When choosing baseboards and skirting for laminate flooring, you’ll want to consider style, material, colour, and whether additional elements like beading or edging are necessary. If you’re wondering, “Which skirting goes best with laminate flooring?” or “Do I need beading/edging for laminate flooring?”, this guide will provide you with everything you need to know.

Which Skirting Goes Best with Laminate Flooring?

Skirting boards, also known as baseboards, serve both a functional and decorative purpose by covering the gap between the flooring and the wall. Choosing the right skirting for laminate flooring involves considering factors like style, height, material, and colour to ensure a cohesive look.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Skirting for Laminate Flooring:

1. Style of Skirting

   • Options: There are various skirting styles, such as bullnose, ogee, chamfered, torus, and square edge. Each style offers a different aesthetic.
   • Best Fit for Laminate:
     • Bullnose and Ogee: These are traditional styles with curved or decorative profiles, perfect for classic or traditional interiors.
     • Chamfered and Square Edge: These have a clean and minimalistic appearance, making them ideal for modern and contemporary settings.
     • Torus: This style has a rounded top edge that works well in both traditional and modern spaces.
   • Why It Matters: The style of skirting should complement the overall design of your home. A modern home may benefit from simple, clean-lined skirting, while a more traditional home may suit decorative skirting.

2. Height of Skirting

   • Options: Skirting heights generally range from 70mm to 200mm or more.
   • Best Fit for Laminate:
     • Taller skirting (150mm and above) works well in rooms with high ceilings, adding a sense of proportion and elegance.
     • Shorter skirting (70mm to 100mm) is suitable for rooms with lower ceilings or for creating a modern, streamlined look.
   • Why It Matters: The height of the skirting impacts the room’s visual proportions and should be chosen based on the room’s dimensions and style.

3. Material of Skirting

   • Options: Skirting boards are available in MDF, hardwood, softwood, PVC, and even laminate-matched options.
   • Best Fit for Laminate:
     • MDF Skirting: Cost-effective, easy to paint, and widely available. It works well with all types of laminate.
     • Hardwood Skirting: Offers a natural, high-quality look that pairs beautifully with wood-effect laminate floors.
     • PVC Skirting: A practical choice for wet areas or where durability is essential.
   • Why It Matters: The material affects the durability, appearance, and maintenance of the skirting. For high-traffic or moisture-prone areas, PVC or hardwood may be more suitable.

4. Colour and Finish

   • Options: Skirting can be painted or stained in various colours to match or contrast with the flooring.
   • Best Fit for Laminate:
     • A contrasting skirting colour can create a bold and defined look, highlighting the flooring.
     • Matching skirting colour with the wall paint creates a seamless, cohesive appearance.
   • Why It Matters: Colour plays a significant role in the overall aesthetic, helping to define the space and complement the flooring.

Do I Need Beading/Edging for Laminate Flooring?

Beading or edging is often needed for laminate flooring to cover the expansion gap left between the flooring and the skirting or wall. While not always necessary, it is highly recommended if you prefer to keep the existing skirting boards or if removing and refitting skirting is not practical.

Considerations for Using Beading/Edging:

1. Purpose of Beading/Edging

   • Description: Beading, also known as quarter round or scotia, is used to cover the expansion gap around the perimeter of the room where laminate flooring meets the skirting board or wall.
   • Why It’s Important: Laminate flooring expands and contracts with temperature and humidity changes, so the expansion gap is essential. Beading covers this gap and provides a clean, finished look.

2. Types of Beading/Edging

   • Options: Beading is available in a variety of materials, such as MDF, PVC, and wood, and comes in different profiles like scotia, quadrant, or square.
   • Best Fit for Laminate:
     • MDF Beading: A cost-effective choice that can be painted or stained to match the skirting or flooring.
     • Wood Beading: Provides a natural look and can be stained to match wood-effect laminate flooring.
     • PVC Beading: Ideal for areas where moisture resistance is necessary.
   • Why It Matters: The type of beading should complement the skirting and flooring to create a cohesive look.

3. Alternatives to Beading

   • Options: Instead of beading, you can remove the existing skirting, install the laminate flooring, and then refit or replace the skirting to cover the expansion gap.
   • Why It Matters: This approach provides a cleaner look without the need for additional beading but may require more effort and skill.

4. Installation of Beading

   • Tip: Beading is usually attached to the skirting board (not the floor) using adhesive or small nails.
   • Why It’s Important: Correct installation prevents the beading from moving and ensures it covers the expansion gap effectively.

Tips for Choosing Skirting and Baseboards for Laminate Flooring

Here are some tips to help you choose the best skirting and baseboards to complement your laminate flooring:

1. Match or Contrast?
   Decide whether you want the skirting to blend with the flooring or stand out. Matching skirting creates a seamless look, while contrasting skirting can add visual interest.

2. Consider the Room’s Style and Function:
   Choose skirting that complements the room’s style—modern, traditional, minimalist, etc.—and consider the room’s function. For high-traffic or moisture-prone areas, choose durable materials like hardwood or PVC.

3. Think About Maintenance:
   Painted skirting may require regular touch-ups, while natural wood may need refinishing over time. Consider how much maintenance you are willing to commit to.

4. Plan for Expansion:
   Ensure that the skirting and beading allow for the necessary expansion gap for the laminate flooring. This is crucial to prevent buckling or warping over time.

5. Choose a Skirting Height that Complements the Room:
   The height of the skirting should be proportional to the room’s ceiling height. Taller skirting can add grandeur, while shorter skirting offers a modern, minimalist look.

6. Use Coordinated Accessories:
   Consider matching or coordinating accessories like door thresholds and corner pieces to ensure a consistent finish throughout the space.

Conclusion

Choosing the right baseboards and skirting for laminate flooring is crucial for achieving a polished and professional finish in your home. Understanding which skirting goes best with laminate flooring and whether beading or edging is needed helps ensure your laminate floor not only looks great but also functions properly. From style and height to materials and installation methods, every decision contributes to the overall appearance and durability of your flooring.

By following the tips outlined in this guide, you can choose skirting and baseboards that complement your laminate flooring, enhance your room’s aesthetic, and provide lasting protection and beauty.