How to Install Skirting Board

Skirting covers the joint between the wall and the floor. It makes a decorative border while hiding the gaps that are needed to cope with the natural expansion and contraction that will take place in your home. Skirting will suffer through some hard wear. Luckily it isn't too complicated to replace. Alternatively, you might want to restore the skirting if the original mouldings have been removed from your home, or fit it on a newly-built stud partition wall. Remember to read all steps thoroughly and to call us on 01942 720777, if you have any further queries. 

For this How To...You will need

•Skirting board •Mitre saw •Screws •Pins •Wood glue •Tape measure •Pencil •Hammer •Nail punch •Drill driver •Countersink bit •Plane •Coping saw •Square •Safety glasses

Step 1:
Marking the position of the skirting
Choose a part of your wall that has an external corner. Place a length of skirting against the wall so that it protrudes past the corner. Using a pencil mark a line along the floor where the skirting will sit.

Step 2:
Measuring the length of the skirting
Repeat step 1 for the adjacent wall. You will now have a cross marked on the floor coming from both walls of the external corner. You can measure up to this point to give you an accurate length.

Step 3:
Use a timber stud detector
If you are fixing the skirting into studwork, locate the timber uprights behind the wall. You may need to use a stud detector for this. Mark the location of the studs onto the floor with your pencil for fixing later.

Step 4:
Measure and cut the skirting board
Measure the length of the first piece and use your square to mark a cutting line, remember that for external corners the face should be the longest, and the rear should meet up with the corner. Set your saw to a 45° bevel and cut.

Step 5:
Check the skirting length and mark the fixings
Rest the skirting in position and check for length. Measure two fixing points onto the face of the skirting, along the upright markings from earlier – the fixing points will vary depending on height of the board.

Step 6:
Drill pilot holes in the skirting
Drill pilot holes through the skirting and into the studs. Next, use a countersink or flat woodcutting bit to bore into the face of this length so that the screws will sit behind the surface. Screw the skirting into position.

Step 7:
Cut the next skirting board
Repeat previous steps for the adjoining piece (make sure you are cutting to the correct angle) Now match this section up to the piece you have fitted, make sure it is flush to the wall and the piece it is joining, if the angle is wrong adjust accordingly with a plane.

Step 8:
Glue the edges of the skirting
Use wood glue along the join then fit the piece into place. Repeat step 6 on this board, then nail a couple of pins through the second piece into the first and punch just below the surface so they don’t come all the way through.

Step 9:
Scribe internal corners
For internal corners, cut a length of skirting to size, bearing in mind for internal corners the rear of the board will be the longest. Cut a to 45° with your mitre saw.

Step 10:
Plane off any excess
Line the new board up to the wall and make sure it fits snug with the existing skirting and the wall. Use a pencil to mark up for any trimming and plane off the excess if necessary. Once you are happy with the fit, glue and screw into place.

Step 11:
Fit skirting around the whole room
Continue this process around the whole room, making sure you are happy that each board is snug as you go. Once the whole room is complete use wood filler on the screws, then once that dries you are ready to paint or varnish.