How to choose the right floor skirting board
Installing the skirting board is the final touch in the renovation. The plinth performs not only a decorative function, but also closes the not always beautiful joint between the floor and the wall. It is important to choose the right color for this element so that it harmonizes with the floor and emphasizes the overall design of the room. Let's figure out how to choose a skirting board for the floor.
When choosing, they are repelled by the color of the floor, door or walls. An interesting design solution can be obtained by choosing a skirting board that contrasts with the color of the floor and walls. But in order for such a solution to look harmonious and beautiful, you need to have a taste.
If the plinth is selected according to the texture and color of the wall decoration, then it is purchased after the completion of the fine finish. This will allow you to take into account the resulting shade of the wall and choose the perfect tone. As a rule, the plinth is chosen after the repair of the walls and floor is completed.
When laying parquet or other wood flooring, it is best to immediately select or order a floor skirting board from the same manufacturer. This will allow you to get an element from the same type of wood and the same tone as the main floor.
Plinth puts a logical point in the decoration of the floor and walls
The most difficult choice based on the color and texture of the doors. In this case, the plinth is designed to emphasize not only the floor, but also the door frame.
Which material is better
The material of the skirting board must match the material of the floor covering:
- Solid wood skirting boards are perfect for wood flooring or high-quality laminate flooring.
- For a cheaper laminate, a plinth covered with veneer or made of MDF is suitable.
- Products from MDF or PVC can frame the floor from any material except wood and tiles. Some models have special inserts. By mounting a strip of linoleum or carpet into this insert, you will get an element that does not differ from the color of the floor.
- Only a plastic or special ceramic plinth is suitable for ceramic tiles.
Sizing
When determining the desired size of the plinth, they rely on:
- the height of the ceilings in the room;
- the volume of the room;
- floor and wall color.
In large rooms, it is highly undesirable to install thin skirting boards. They will violate the geometry of the room, and disfigure the design of the room. More suitable for this case will be wide models, and their fastening should be carried out exclusively to the wall. In such rooms, models of white or contrasting colors look good.
For a small room with low ceilings, it is better to take a model of the same tone as the walls. Visually, the surface of the wall will continue, as it were, and the entire room will visually stretch in height.
For a standard room, they usually take models with a height of 4.5 cm to 7 cm.
Color matching
As a rule, the plinth is selected in the same tone as the flooring. This approach is win-win. The plinth of the same color with the floor or walls does not stand out in any way, a merging surface is obtained. Sometimes designers suggest using 1-2 tones lighter or darker than the main coat.
Modern designers quite often pick up the plinth to match the color of the walls. This approach looks great on plastered or painted walls, but is not suitable if wallpaper is pasted with a pattern. The selection of skirting boards for the door is appropriate only if they are made of natural wood. The tone in this case is chosen identical with the platbands. In addition, make sure that the thickness of these elements is the same.
Sometimes designers take a skirting board in the same color as the furniture in the room or match it to some interior detail, such as a picture on the wall.
In very rare cases, skirting boards are chosen to match the color of furniture or interior details.
More recently, white skirting boards have been used. They look very interesting, but require taking into account the combination of the color of the floor, walls and furniture. Modern technologies make it possible to achieve the optimal solution with the help of special design programs. You can “play” with colors in them and achieve the best solution.
White plinth
A bold enough decision is to choose a plinth in a contrasting shade. It is also better to make such a selection on a computer first.
Should be taken into account! For a natural wood floor, it is better to choose a wooden plinth, taking it to match the floor or a little darker. Other options for such floors, as a rule, look ugly.
Types of skirting boards for the floor by material
Modern hardware stores offer skirting boards that have a different color, size, shape and material. If desired, you can order a curvilinear sample repeating the bend of any surface. Models with a cable channel are in demand. Today, such products are produced not only from plastic, but also from wood. Consider the main advantages and disadvantages of skirting boards made of different materials.
Plastic
Plastic plinth is used for carpet, laminate and linoleum. As an exception, it can be used for ceramic tiles. Despite the fact that this is not an environmentally friendly material, it is popular due to its rich palette of colors, practicality, ease of care and low price. Such specimens do not rot, are not afraid of water and dirt.
Additional fittings are produced for plastic skirting boards: connecting elements and plugs. Unfortunately, the shade of these elements may not always match the color of the base material.
The plastic baseboards have channels for cable laying.
Fastening is carried out to the wall with self-tapping screws. For the convenience of consumers, models of various thicknesses, shapes, as well as having channels for the cable are produced.
The price fluctuates around $1. Additionally, you should consider the price of fittings.
Wood
Such models make them solid wood. Their main advantage is ease of fastening, naturalness and environmental friendliness. Such an element is fastened with self-tapping screws, cutting off the required size with a hacksaw for wood or a jigsaw. If necessary, such a model can be easily repaired or dismantled.
Wooden plinth
The disadvantage is the sensitivity to humidity. They should not be used in utility rooms with high humidity.
Most often made from pine wood. The cost of such a model per linear meter depends on the quality of the wood used:
- from $0.7 in budget models;
- 5 - 3 $ in higher quality options.
Oak and linden are more expensive types of wood, and the plinth of them will cost more:
- from linden from $2.5;
- from oak 5 - $ 8 and more.
These three types of wood I use most often. Other types of wood are used less often. For connoisseurs of sophistication, they produce products made of ebony and mahogany, acacia, dusia, merbau and other non-traditional wood species for construction.
When buying a wooden skirting board, you need to look at the characteristics of the wood, such as its class. Even models made from rare wood, but of a low class, will have a low price. This is due to the presence of a large number of knots, marriage or the manufacture of e from a solid array, but by gluing along the canvas.
A wooden plinth, like a plastic one, can follow the contours of the elements of the apartment, but such a model will have to be ordered individually and the price in this case can reach $ 50 per linear meter.
Such a plinth will have to be made according to an individual project.
When choosing a plinth, it should be borne in mind that it will have to be varnished and in the future it will become several tones darker than the original color. Find out with maximum certainty what will be a little wetting it with clean water.
Veneered
Such models are a subspecies of wood, but they are not made from solid wood. For the base, as a rule, pine is used, and the top is covered with a thin veneer of more expensive wood. Such models have many shades, which greatly facilitates the choice.
The price of such products is in the range of $ 4.5 - $ 5.5.
Veneered plinth also refers to wooden
MDF
MDF plinth is used if the walls are covered with the same material. Such products are relatively resistant to water and dirt, do not fade in the sun. They are fixed with special clips on staples or on liquid nails to the wall. Mounting on brackets makes it possible, if necessary, to dismantle the plinth and reuse it.
The price fluctuates from 2 to 3 $.
Plinth from MDF
Ceramic
This is a completely new type of skirting board that is used directly for edging a tiled floor. It is often sold as a set. By purchasing such a kit, you get materials that are ideally suited to each other. If you buy separately, you can choose to match the main material or a slightly different shade.
Ceramic plinth - the perfect frame for floor tiles
Another use for this skirting board is to frame between a tiled wall and a bathroom. This is a beautiful and aesthetic edging solution above the bathtub.
The price ranges from $4 to $5 per linear meter.
Styrofoam
Such material is not very suitable for the floor and is used for ceilings. It can have a different shape and relief. It is easy to cut, glued with special glue.
The price is from 0.3 to 4 $ per linear meter, depending on the complexity of the surface.
Styrofoam skirting successfully used for ceilings but not suitable for floors
Polyurethane
It's more of a decorative element. Elements are produced with a great variety in shape and appearance. It may, for example, resemble stucco.
Products are not afraid of water and pathogenic organisms, are lightweight, durable, and are not difficult to install. The polyurethane skirting board can be painted if necessary. Attached with glue.
Polyurethane skirting board
The big disadvantage of this material is the price. It ranges from $18 to $22 per linear meter.
Aluminum
Such products are produced from anodized aluminum, which gives them durability and greater strength. They are not afraid of water, detergents and aggressive environments. All models have a cable channel, which is convenient and in demand by modern consumers.
Aluminum plinth
It is installed in public places (hospitals, enterprises, railway stations), as well as in amenity premises of the residential sector. Floor metal plinth is widely used for high-tech style rooms. There is a special accessory for this model. Fastening is carried out with dowels to the wall.
The price for such models is from $ 5 per linear meter.
We have covered different types of floor skirting boards. We hope that our review will help you decide which skirting board to choose for the floor in your home.
