Cleaning and maintaining your home is an essential part of homeownership, and one often overlooked aspect is the skirting board. Skirting boards, also known as baseboards, serve both functional and aesthetic purposes, protecting walls from damage and providing a finished look to your rooms. However, they can accumulate dust, dirt, and grime over time, requiring regular cleaning to keep them looking their best. When it comes to sourcing high-quality skirting boards, Travis Perkins is a reliable and trusted provider. They offer a wide selection of decorative timber, including skirting boards, to enhance the aesthetics of your home. Travis Perkins is known for its commitment to quality and durability, ensuring that your skirting boards stand the test of time.
The Importance of Clean Skirting Boards
Skirting boards play a significant role in the overall appearance of your home. Clean and well-maintained skirting boards contribute to a polished and inviting atmosphere. Here’s why it’s essential to keep them in tip-top condition:
- Enhanced Aesthetics: Clean skirting boards provide a seamless transition between walls and floors, elevating the visual appeal of your living spaces.
- Hygiene: Skirting boards can accumulate dust, pet hair, and dirt. Regular cleaning ensures a healthier living environment by reducing allergens and preventing pest infestations.
- Preventing Damage: Skirting boards protect your walls from scuffs, scrapes, and impacts. By keeping them clean, you extend their lifespan and maintain their protective function.
Best skirting boards by Travis Perkins
1. SAM MDF PRIMED TORUS SKIRTING BOARD 4200 x 18 x 144MM
Crafted from moisture-resistant MDF, this skirting board boasts a warp, knot, and twist-free design. With consistent long lengths, it comes primed in a pristine white finish. The technical specifications include a depth of 144 mm, a length of 4200 mm, and a width of 144 mm. This skirting board is designed for interior use, offering moisture resistance and featuring a Torus profile. It proudly meets FSC certifications and is brought to you by SAM Mouldings, hailing from the UK.
2. MDF PAINTED TRUPROFILE PENCIL/CHAMFERED ROUND SKIRTING 14.5 x 94MM x 4.4M
Produced in the UK, this skirting board is meticulously crafted, free from imperfections like shakes, knots, and resins. It’s expertly manufactured using moisture-resistant MDF, ensuring its durability. With easy-to-handle lengths, this skirting board comes primed all around in a crisp white finish. Its technical specifications include a 15 mm depth, a generous 4440 mm length, and a 94 mm width. Featuring a Pencil/Chamfered Round profile, it’s designed for moisture resistance and falls under the skirting category. This high-quality skirting board is proudly brought to you by TP.
3. SAM MDF PRIMED TORUS SKIRTING BOARD 4200 x 18 x 119MM
Crafted from moisture-resistant MDF, this skirting board guarantees a warp-free, knot-free, and twist-free design. Its consistent long lengths and pristine white primed finish make it a reliable choice. With a depth of 119 mm, a length of 4200 mm, and a width of 119 mm, it’s designed for moisture resistance and features a Torus profile. Meeting FSC certifications, this high-quality skirting board is proudly presented by SAM Mouldings, originating from the UK.
4. REDWOOD TORUS/OGEE SKIRTING 5TH 25 x 150MM FINISHED SIZE 20.5 x 144MM
Sourced responsibly from high-quality Scandinavian Redwood, this skirting board is available in various patterns and sizes upon request. Lengths supplied are random, typically measuring 2.7m and longer and provided in multiples of 0.3m. With a technical specification that includes a 25 mm depth and a 150 mm width, this skirting board features a versatile Torus/Ogee profile that’s reversible. Crafted from pine and kiln-dried for durability, it hails from Sweden and is offered under the trusted brand name Metsa.
5. BSW REDWOOD TORUS/OGEE SKIRTING UNSORTED 25 x 175MM FINISHED SIZE 20 x 169MM
Offering a diverse selection of patterns and sizes that can be customized to suit specific preferences. Lengths provided may vary, with a typical range of 2.7 meters or longer, and are available in increments of 0.3 meters. Crafted from high-quality Scandinavian Redwood, this skirting board boasts technical specifications, including a depth of 25 mm and a generous width of 175 mm. Constructed from kiln-dried pine, it falls under the trusted brand name BSW and features a versatile TORUS/OGEE profile. Although it does not possess moisture resistance properties, its natural pine colour and unfinished surface make it an excellent choice for personalization and customization.
How should skirting boards be cleaned?
Cleaning skirting boards may seem like a daunting task, but with the right approach, it becomes manageable and even therapeutic. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you achieve spotless skirting boards:
Step 1: Dusting
Begin by using a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment or a microfiber cloth to remove loose dust and debris from the skirting boards. Wherever dust tends to collect, pay close attention to the corners and crevices.
Step 2: Prepare a Cleaning Solution
Fill a bucket with warm water and add a small amount of mild detergent. Mix it thoroughly to create a gentle cleaning solution. Avoid using abrasive or harsh chemicals, as they may damage the paint or finish on your skirting boards.
Step 3: Wipe Down the Skirting Boards
Dip a soft sponge or cloth into the soapy water, wring out excess moisture, and gently wipe down the skirting boards. Work in small sections and be cautious not to oversaturate the boards, as excessive moisture can damage the wood or paint.
Step 4: Remove Stubborn Stains
For stubborn stains or scuffs, you can use a mild abrasive pad or a mixture of baking soda and water. Be gentle and avoid excessive scrubbing, as it may damage the surface.
Step 5: Rinse and Dry
Using a clean, damp cloth, rinse off any soapy residue from the skirting boards. Immediately follow this by wiping them dry with a dry, clean cloth or paper towels. This step prevents streaking and water damage to the boards.
Step 6: Final Inspection
Once your skirting boards are dry, perform a final inspection to ensure all dust, stains, and soap residue have been removed. If necessary, touch up any paint or finish to maintain a flawless appearance.
How to close a skirting board’s gap with a floor?
One common issue with skirting boards is the presence of gaps between the boards and the floor. These gaps can be unsightly and may allow dust and insects to enter. Here’s how to seal them effectively:
- Make sure the space is dust- and debris-free.
- Load the caulk gun with paintable acrylic caulk.
- Carefully apply a thin bead of caulk along the gap between the skirting board and the floor.
- Use a caulk smoothing tool or a wet finger to smooth the caulk and ensure it fills the gap completely.
- According to the manufacturer’s recommendations, let the caulk dry.
- Once dry, paint over the caulk to match the skirting board colour.
How to join two skirting boards?
- Measure and cut the first skirting board to the desired length, ensuring a precise 45-degree angle on the end.
- Measure and cut the second skirting board to the desired length with a matching 45-degree angle at one end.
- Apply wood glue to the cut ends and join the two skirting boards together.
- Secure the joint with small finishing nails.
- Sand any rough edges or excess glue for a smooth finish.
- If needed, fill any nail holes or gaps with wood filler and sand it smooth once dry.
- Paint or finish the joint to match the skirting board colour.
How do you cut skirting boards using a saw?
Selecting the right saw for cutting skirting boards is crucial for achieving clean and precise cuts. A mitre saw or coping saw is ideal for this purpose:
- Miter Saw: This power saw allows for precise angle cuts, making it perfect for creating clean, 45-degree cuts for joining skirting boards.
- Coping Saw: While a coping saw requires manual effort, it excels at intricate cuts, such as when fitting skirting boards around irregular shapes or corners.
How can baseboard trim corners that have gaps be filled?
Filling corner gaps in baseboard trim is essential for a professional finish. Here’s how to tackle this task:
- Begin by cleaning the gap to remove any debris or dust.
- Apply wood filler to the gap using a putty knife, ensuring it fills the space completely.
- Smooth the wood filler with the putty knife, leaving a flush finish.
- In accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations, let the wood filler dry.
- Once dry, sand the filled area to achieve a smooth and seamless appearance.
- Finish by painting or applying a finish to match the baseboard colour.
Conclusion
Maintaining clean skirting boards not only enhances the aesthetics of your home but also ensures the longevity of this essential architectural feature. By following the steps mentioned above, you can keep your skirting boards in excellent condition. Additionally, understanding how to seal gaps, join skirting boards, choose the right saw, and fill corner gaps will help you achieve a professional finish. When it comes to sourcing high-quality skirting boards, Travis Perkins is a reliable and reputable provider that offers a range of options to suit your needs.
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