Skirting Board Installation

Overview

•⁠ ⁠Timber or MDF skirting boards measured, cut and fixed to conceal the wall‑to‑floor joint. •⁠ ⁠Skill level 3/5 •⁠ ⁠Typical duration: 4–6 hours for an average‑sized room

Safety First

1. Wear eye protection when cutting or nailing.

2. Use a dust mask when sanding MDF or cutting with power tools.

3. Keep fingers clear of saw blades and nail‑gun discharge paths.

4. Isolate electrics where cables may run at skirting height.

5. Ventilate when using solvent adhesives or filler.
   

Tools & Materials

Step‑by‑Step

1. Measure & Plan

Why: Ensures minimal waste and correct join positions.

2. Cut External Mitres

Why: 45° cuts create tight, professional outside corners.

3. Scribe Internal Corners

Why: Coping one board to the profile of the adjoining piece hides walls that are out‑of‑square.

4. Prepare Walls & Flooring

Why: Removing old adhesive, protruding nails and vacuuming dust helps boards sit flush.

5. Fix First Lengths

Why: Establishes a level datum to work from.

Pro‑tip: For new laminate floors, use adhesive only to avoid puncturing the expansion gap.

6. Continue Around Room

Why: Securing boards sequentially maintains alignment; use scarf (30–45°) joins on long runs to hide shrinkage lines.

7. Fill, Caulk & Finish

Why: Conceals fixings, seals drafts and readies surfaces for paint or stain.

Completion Checks

• Mitred and scribed joints close with no daylight showing.

• Boards sit level with a consistent top reveal.

• No visible gaps between skirting and wall/floor after caulking.

• Fixings flush or filled and sanded smooth.

• Paint or stain coverage uniform with no rough patches.
  

When to call a pro instead

If walls are severely out‑of‑true, you need bespoke hardwood profiles, or you lack the tools to cut accurate mitres and copes, a joiner can achieve a flawless finish quickly—especially valuable in large rooms or period properties where intricate mouldings demand experience.