Skirting Boards – Why Are They So Important?
Contrary to popular belief, skirting boards are not only decorative. Their equally important function is to protect the expansion gap between the wall and the floor. If left uncovered, this gap looks unsightly, collects dirt, and allows moisture and water to seep in, damaging the floor. Skirting boards also help protect walls from stains or accidental damage. Thanks to them, keeping the floor clean becomes much easier, whether you clean it dry or wet. Boards with a special recess also help hide unwanted, unsightly cables and wires. This solution is not only practical and neat but also very safe. It also saves you from having to chisel the walls to hide cables, as they can be conveniently concealed behind the skirting board. Skirting boards are also the perfect finishing touch for any interior. Decorative models add character to a space, while simple, minimalist ones will be an ideal complement to a more ascetic design.
How to Choose Skirting Boards? A Short Guide
When choosing skirting boards to match the floor and the interior style, you should follow several important criteria. First, the material from which they are made. The finishing materials market offers skirting boards made from various materials – from wood or wood-based materials, through steel, aluminum, and plastic, to those made of special reinforced polystyrene. The next important aspect is color, which often causes users the most difficulty. Here, you can follow the principle of contrast or similarity. Skirting boards can perfectly match the floor panels in both color and texture. This type of finish acts as a natural extension of the floor, contrasting with the wall and helping to visually enlarge the space. On the opposite end is the approach based on contrast, where the skirting boards are chosen in contrasting tones to the floor but visually complement the wall. This trick helps visually increase the height of the room. Another approach, which goes beyond these frameworks, suggests choosing white skirting boards regardless of wall color or floor shade. This option fits well with light wood-like panels or those imitating concrete or natural stone.
Which Skirting Boards to Choose for Floor Panels?
In addition to the protective function mentioned earlier, skirting boards play a vital role in the visual perception of the interior. Matched to the room's decor, they perfectly emphasize the chosen style and become an elegant finishing element. The market offers richly decorated models with sophisticated shapes that perfectly suit glamour, boho, French, or modern interiors. Simple and minimalist skirting boards fit loft, industrial, and Scandinavian interiors – all those that focus on modest, clean forms. Skirting boards also differ in terms of installation methods. The most solid include mounting with plugs or gluing to the wall. Although the second option is faster, it has one disadvantage – the adhesive only reaches full durability over time and requires almost perfectly even walls. The plug-mounting option, although more time-consuming for many, allows you to achieve the desired effect immediately. When choosing skirting boards for floor panels, remember that they should not be fixed to the floor itself, as floating floors are designed to allow slight movement.
