Skirting boards or baseboards can be described as part of home decorating that is important in terms of both purpose and beauty. The architectural works would not only close the cracks between the walls and floors, but also enhance the beauty of your rooms. In refurbishing your house or building a new one, you need to be enlightened as to what type of designs of skirting boards to have, to ensure that the entire house is smooth and elegant.In the given guide, we will plunge into the skirting board world, from the various types, materials to the selection of the design and installation advice. It is kind of related to architectural things, but it can expand the beauty of your interior design styles too.
What are Skirting Boards?
Skirtings are normally fixed at the base of internal walls, to conceal the gap between the wall-surface and floor. Besides this practical use, which must be considered, as a ruler to fill in gaps and thus preserve the wall and the integrity of the room, skirting boards have also become a stylistic addition to the appearance of a room that can be harmonised with the general decor of the room.
Skirting boards are historically applied in old buildings to cover the walls which are possibly exposed to dirt and water vapor that may exist close to the ground. Nowadays however they are rather decorative and play a role in the design of a room making it more of a fashion statement and a general theme. They are made of different heights, designs, and materials hence the homeowner has so much flexibility to tap into his/her taste.
Different Types of Skirting Boards
Knowledge about the varying kinds of the skirting boards assists one to select an ideal skirting board that will suit his/her house. Some of the more popular categories are the following:
Traditions To Follow
The conventional skirting boards are of simple designs with classic profiles. They suit the older style house or even a colonial style house. These designs normally use wood like pine or oak trees. The traditional skirting boards usually come decorated with carved lines or they are chamfered to give it colour to the room. As many of the people like to get feature walls of special colour to make it different so does the baseboard work.
Updated Styles
To have a more modern appearance, recent skirting boards are sleek and minimalistic. These boards tend to be less elaborate and emphasize upon clean lines and discreet detail. Modern skirting boards can be constructed of materials such as MDF, PVC and even metal. It is an ideal design for people with homes that emphasize modernness and unclutteredness.
Modern-day Designs
Skirting boards of today have incorporated new designs into the old form, creating the compromise between the ideas of utility and esthetics. They are simple to elaborate and depending on your interior style can easily be used depending on the profile you choose. Typically these modern skirting boards are being painted in neutral colours so as to complement the floor and walls.
Skirting Board Skirting Materials
The composition of your skirting board is important in terms of aesthetics and life cycle of the recreation. Some of the common materials are as follows:
Wood Baseboard
The use of wooden skirting boards in interior designing has been in existence since many centuries. The wood is very cozy and textural, which is why it is likewise an excellent solution in a country and antique house. Such popular woods as pine, oak and walnut are applied; each one gives its own special look and feel. Wooden skirting boards can be stained or painted, and can be customized in a color scheme of the room. Following the designs of their accent walls they get relevant designs.
Plastic PVC
PVC skirting boards are very durable and waterproof thus suitable to schemed rooms with high moisture levels like kitchen or bathroom. PVC skirting boards are also very light and cheap but may not be that attractive as their wood or MDF counterparts.
The Medium Density Fiber-board (MDF)
MDF is actually a manufactured wood product made using fiber wood lumber, wax and resin. It is normally applied in making skirting boards due to its smooth surface which makes painting easy. Skirting boards have been manufactured using MDF, which is an affordable option to homeowners who desire a modern and fair finish on their house.
Metal
To have an industrial or modern appearance, the metal skirting boards are an excellent solution. They are hard, tough and create sophistication in rooms or places. The most common types of material used on metal skirting boards are aluminum and stainless steel usually in a commercial setting or modern home.
Ceramic & Tile Skirting
Ceramic and tile skirting boards: These are further common in places such as bathrooms, kitchens or any place with high moisture content. It is easy to clean, waterproof and durable too. These skirting boards come in different patterns and colours thus, home owners can match them with the floor tiles in order to match them.
Designs of Skirting Board Skirting Board Styles
The baseboard style can have a drastic effect on the look of your room in general. These are some of the general styles to note:
Minimalism and simple
The simple skirting boards are ideal to persons interested in clean and non-obtrusive design. These boards are characterized by a straight and flat profile without any additional decorations and therefore they can be seen as a perfect choice in modern and minimalist interior.
Ornamental and Studious
Ornate skirting boards are ideal in case you wish to incorporate some form of elegance into your room. The boards are elaborately carved as well as fluted. They are ideal to be used in classic or Victorian mansions where luxury treatment is a priority.
Skirting, Fluted and Panelled Skirting
Grooves or channels are one of the specialties of fluted skirting boards, making it textured and three-dimensional. Panelled skirting boards, in its turn, are flat with the division into smaller panels. The two styles have all the sophistication, and they are applicable in the improvement of a contemporary or traditional setting.
Personal Designs of Baseboard
In case you want a more customizable appearance, you may choose custom made skirting boards. Skirting can be customized to meet your specific tastes, such as to bring modern flairs in, or add a particular detail. Your involvement with a designer will enable the attainment of an ideal style of skirting board in your house.
Height and Sizes of Skirting Boards
In taking some decisions as regards the height of your skirting boards, you ought to take into consideration the room size. The height of the skirting boards is usually changed into larger rooms, where high ceilings can be used whereas small rooms would require shorter boards. They are usually 90mm to 180mm high but they can be either broader or narrower according to the ratio of the room and to your visual preferences. Height and size are though selected according to the interior design made for your home specifically.
Finishes and Colour Options
The finishing and color of your skirting boards can add a lot to the appearance of the whole picture including the room. This is what you have to do:
Finishes and Painting Factors
One of the most widespread solutions is the painting of skirting boards to get the custom appearance. The traditional skirting board is white or off-white and this fits well in virtually any room, although stronger colours such as black or navy can be used to bring a more modern feel. The end result may also vary, a high gloss finish reflects the light and makes the product look polished whereas matte finish offers a calmer and discreet look.
Natural Wood Finishes
In case you prefer the natural look of the wood, you may choose and apply a wide variety of wood stains to enhance the texture and grain of wood. With natural finishing, you will have the advantage of making your skirting boards look classic and even warm enough to blend the design of different interior designs.
Gloss Finishes and Matte Finishes
Shiny or glossy surfaces are used perfectly to make a room shiny and polished mainly when there is a need to achieve this effect in a modern or contemporary room. The matte finishes, though, make an ideal choice of achieving a low-keyed appearance. Choosing one of these two, pay attention to the room style, and the desired effect.
The Ideal Affordable Skirting Board Design
Selecting proper design is important to amplify the total look of area. Some of them are as follows:
Room Style Matching
The style of the room, whether modern, traditional or eclectic, should complement skirting boards. As a case in point, decorative would look good in all classical living rooms, whereas simple to make them fit well in modern settings. Their style give a sense of beauty and style to the interior designs for bedrooms too.
Proportion and Size Article
Taller they are sure to make an impression in bigger rooms whereas smaller, less dramatic skirting boards are well suited in smaller rooms. The secret lies in the ability to match the size of the skirting board with the size of a room so as to establish harmony.
Skirting Board installation and Maintenance
Installation is the next thing as soon as you have decided on what kind you wish. Although doing it yourself installation is possible, the best decision may be to employ the services of a professional, particularly when using complex designs. The things you must know:
Home Installation vs. Professional Assistance
You can also fix skirting boards and drill them yourself in case you are handy-enabled using a saw, hammer and adhesive tool. But in the cases of complex designs it is advisable to get the services of an expert who will be able to get a good alignment and finishing.
Hints toward Cleaning and Maintenance
If you do cleaning skirting boards regularly in order to maintain them in the new condition. Skirting made of wood ought to be dusted off regularly, you might even have to varnish it or polish it every now and again. When it comes to cleaning PVC and MDF skirting then all you have to do is wipe it with a damp cloth.
Fashion of Skirting Board Designs
Types of skirting boards have been changing and every year new materials and designs are introduced. Nowadays, a large number of households have resorted to environmentally friendly products like sust\ainable wood and recycled products. Moreover, high-gloss representation and strong, geometrical shapes are becoming popular. These features are to be considered in every style of home even the most liked Hampton Style Homes.
Skirting boards cost consideration
Skirting boards vary in price quite a lot according to the choice, size and style. MDF or PVC budget options are inexpensive, and such high-quality materials as oak or custom wood finishing might be more costly. You should select a material that is right for both you and your purse.
Conclusion
Skirting boards are not a huge thing to consider, but it is a major component of the entire look and impression of your house. Pick your traditional wooden look or fall into modern and minimalistic, it is up to you, but the right skirting board will make your room stylish.Before selecting the most suitable skirting board to decorate your house, it is prudent to look into the aspects of cooling, height, adornment, and form to make sure that it fits well into your area. You can get a sort of help about it in detail from Skirting World Australia.
