Skirting is a slender decorative line installed at the joint between the indoor wall and the floor. It not only serves as a decoration but also protects the wall from dirt and moisture.
Floor skirting can effectively cover the joint between the wall and the floor, preventing wear, collision, and pollution of the wall caused by daily cleaning, mopping, moving furniture, and other activities.
Usually, indoor skirting has a variety of different materials, appearances, and functions. Then this article will classify from multiple aspects such as material, function, appearance design, height, installation method, use environment, color texture, protective characteristics, etc., to help you better understand this indoor decoration material.
If classified by material, skirting boards can be divided into 8 categories, namely wooden skirting boards, PVC skirting boards, stainless steel skirting boards, aluminum alloy skirting boards, stone skirting boards, ceramic skirting boards, SPC skirting boards, glass skirting boards, and cork skirting boards.
1. Wooden skirting board
Generally, wooden skirtings are divided into pure solid wood skirtings and MDF skirtings.
Solid wood skirtings are made of natural wood, with natural texture, rich texture, and good environmental performance.
Solid wood skirtings are usually suitable for traditional or classical-style interior decoration environments and require regular maintenance to prevent moisture, insect infestation, deformation, etc.
MDF skirtings are profiles made of fiber materials, and their surface can usually be covered with various wood grains and other texture surfaces.
MDF skirtings are relatively cheap, stable, and easy to process, but their waterproof performance is relatively poor and is not suitable for installation in humid environments.
2. PVC skirting board
PVC skirting is a decorative material with polyvinyl chloride as the main raw material, which has the characteristics of waterproof, moisture-proof, corrosion-resistant, and wear-resistant.
Compared with solid wood skirting, PVC skirting is cheap, light, and easy to cut, transport, and install.
PVC skirting can be customized in multiple colors and textures, including wood grain, marble, leather, metal, diatom mud, cloth grain, and other textures.
PVC skirting is suitable for installation in living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms, stairs, and other areas, and is usually suitable for modern interior decoration.
3. Stainless steel skirting board
Stainless steel skirting has extremely strong hardness, delicate metal texture, and excellent waterproof, anti-corrosion, and impact resistance.
It has a simple appearance and strong metal texture, which is suitable for industrial and modern style interior spaces.
In addition, stainless steel skirting can be further divided into 201 stainless steel skirting, 304 stainless steel skirting, and 316 stainless steel skirting.
201 stainless steel contains 17.5%-19.5% chromium, 3.5%-5.5% nickel, 0.1%-0.5% nitrogen, and no molybdenum. 304 stainless steel contains 18%-20% chromium, 8%-10.5% nickel, and no nitrogen and molybdenum. 316 stainless steel contains 16%-18% chromium, 10%-14% nickel, and 2%-3% molybdenum.
316 stainless steel skirting has higher corrosion resistance and acid resistance and is more suitable for use in some special environments than stainless steel 201 and 304.
4. Aluminum alloy skirting board
Aluminum alloy skirting is usually made of 6063 T5 aluminum alloy, which is lightweight, durable, and has excellent corrosion resistance.
Aluminum alloy skirting has a variety of appearances and is easy to install and maintain, suitable for modern, simple, and technological interior designs.
5. Stone skirting board
Stone skirting is usually made of natural or artificial stone such as marble, granite, quartz, etc.
High strength, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, luxurious appearance, and high-end texture. Suitable for European and classical-style indoor environments, such as hotel lobbies, luxury villas, etc.
6. Ceramic skirting board
Ceramic skirtings are made of ceramic tiles or ceramic materials. They are waterproof, wear-resistant, stain-resistant, and easy to clean.
They are mostly used in kitchens, bathrooms, and balcony areas.
7. SPC skirting board
SPC skirting is a decorative profile made of multiple materials. It is made of stone powder and PVC resin and has excellent waterproof and moisture-proof properties.
It is wear-resistant, has a certain impact resistance, and the material is environmentally friendly.
8. Glass skirting board
Glass skirtings are generally made of tempered glass or acrylic, with good light transmittance, modern fashion, and suitable for modern minimalist style decoration.
Compare | Wooden skirting board | PVC skirting board | Stainless steel skirting board | Aluminum alloy skirting board | Stone skirting board | Ceramic skirting board | SPC skirting board | Glass skirting board |
Advantages | Natural wood grain and texture | Moisture and waterproof | Highly wear-resistant and impact-resistant | Lighter than stainless steel | With natural texture and color | Has excellent waterproof performance | Excellent waterproof performance | Has a transparent or translucent texture |
Highly customizable | Wear-resistant | Excellent fire resistance | Excellent corrosion protection | Excellent wear and impact resistance | Hard material, wear-resistant, and scratch-resistant surface | Wear-resistant and scratch-resistant, not easy to be damaged | Smooth surface, stains are not easy to adhere | |
Comfortable touch | Easy to cut and install | Possess strong moisture-proof, waterproof, and corrosion-resistant capabilities | Simple appearance | Excellent fire resistance | Easy to clean | Does not contain harmful substances such as formaldehyde | Waterproof and moisture-proof | |
Made from natural materials | Relatively low price | Easy to clean | Good impact resistance and wear resistance | Easy to clean | Can imitate various materials and colors | Lightweight, easy to cut and install | Will not release harmful substances | |
Good sound insulation performance | Can imitate the appearance of various materials | With metallic luster and a simple appearance | Smooth surface, easy to clean | Strong moisture and corrosion resistance | Good fire resistance | It can imitate the texture of various natural materials, such as wood grain, stone grain, etc. | The reflective effect can increase the brightness of the room | |
Disadvantages | Easy to absorb water and swell or deform due to moisture | The texture and touch are relatively ordinary | Cold texture | The price is higher than PVC material | Heavyweight, inconvenient to transport and install | Cold texture | Hard texture | Can break easily when hit or struck hard |
Easy to be scratched or worn | Easy to soften or deform in a high-temperature environment | Higher price | The texture is relatively cold and hard | Expensive | Installation requires precise measurement, cutting, and professional paving craftsmanship | Compared with PVC, the cost of SPC skirting is higher | nstallation requires specialized tools and techniques | |
Flammable | May contain volatile organic compounds | The cutting and installation process is more complicated than other materials | Requires precise measuring and cutting to install | Cold and hard texture | Can easily break or crack when hit or during installation | Long-term exposure to sunlight may cause fading | Cold texture | |
Requires regular maintenance | After long-term use, it is easy to peel off or fade | The surface is easily scratched by sharp objects | Surface easily scratched | Can easily break when hit hard | The material is heavy, which makes transportation and installation inconvenient | The sound insulation effect is not as good as materials such as wood | Higher price | |
Higher price | Poor repairability | Highly reflective, which may cause visual discomfort | Strong thermal conductivity | Cutting, processing and installation require specialized skills and tools | Not suitable for warm, natural interior design styles | Easy to install, but requires high construction quality | Possible safety risk when broken |
According to their functions, skirting boards can generally be divided into three types: straight skirting boards, wire groove skirting boards, and lighting skirting boards.
Straight skirting board
Straight skirting is one of the most common styles in daily life. It usually has a simple appearance, straight lines, and no reserved wire grooves. Its main function is to cover gaps, protect walls, and provide a smooth transition between walls and floors.
Skirting with cable trough
The interior of the skirting with cable trough is designed with cable trough, which can be used to hide and organize wires or network cables, keeping the floor and wall clean.
In addition to inheriting the decorative and protective functions of traditional skirting, this skirting can also hide indoor wires and cables, making your indoor environment more tidy and beautiful.
Generally speaking, skirting with cable trough design is suitable for modern homes and commercial spaces.
Luminous skirting board
Luminous skirting board is a new type of decorative profile developed based on traditional skirting board.
It usually integrates a skirting board and LED light strip into a system, so that it has both the protection function of traditional skirting board and the decorative function, and its back also has a groove design for hiding cables. In addition, there is a groove for installing an LED light strip on the top for pasting the LED light strip.
As a new and fashionable decorative profile. Luminous skirting board integrates multiple functions such as decoration, lighting, protection, and hiding wires. It is beautiful and practical. It is an innovative product with highly integrated multiple elements.
In addition, the luminous skirting board can also be placed in a human body-sensing centralized control system or a voice control system to control the brightness of the LED light strip through object sensing or voice.
According to different appearance designs, skirting boards can be divided into 7 types: straight skirting boards, chamfered skirting boards, bullnose skirting boards, Lambs tongue skirting board, Victoria skirting boards, square edge skirting boards, and stepped skirting boards.
Straight skirting boards
The straight skirting board is a skirting with a flat surface, no complex shapes or concave and convex patterns, usually with a simple rectangular cross-section, simple and smooth lines, easy installation, and often used in modern minimalist style interior decoration.
This type of skirting focuses on functionality, protecting the wall by covering the joints between the wall and the floor to prevent impact and wear during daily cleaning or furniture movement, while providing a clear and clean boundary line for the interior space, making the overall visual effect more concise and bright.
Chamfered skirting boards
Chamfered skirting is a type of skirting that is chamfered at the top of the skirting. Chamfering refers to grinding the sharp right-angle edge into a bevel or rounded corner to avoid sharp corners.
The chamfered design not only increases the three-dimensional sense and decorativeness of the skirting but also improves safety and prevents injuries caused by sharp-angle collisions.
They are often used in modern, simple, or traditional style interior decoration. Through soft transition lines, the connection between the wall and the ground is more natural and smooth, while maintaining the basic protective function of the skirting.
Bullnose skirting boards
Rounded corner skirting is a skirting design with a rounded top edge. Its curved edge resembles the arc curve of a bull's nose, hence the name.
The rounded shape of the rounded corner skirting provides an elegant visual effect while avoiding the risk of collision with sharp edges. It is especially suitable for families with children or public places.
It is commonly used in modern, simple, traditional, and country-style interior decoration. Through the soft line transition, the connection between the wall and the ground is more natural and smooth, while maintaining the protection and decorative functions of the skirting.
Lambs Tongue Skirting Board
Tongue and mortise skirting is a decorative profile that combines rounded and square edges and ends with vertical surfaces.
This design is popular with some customers and is often used to decorate wooden furniture.
This skirting enhances the beauty of the room and protects the base of the wall from wear and tear.
Victoria skirting boards
Victorian skirting boards are typical Victorian skirting board designs, usually with a taller height and rich decorative details, including multi-layered lines, complex relief patterns, and curved contours.
They often have a raised edge or curled shape at the top to enhance the visual layering and decorative effect.
Victorian skirting boards are often used in traditional or classical style interior decoration, especially in old buildings, mansions, and historic interior spaces, adding elegance and nobility to the room while highlighting the decorative details and unique architectural style.
Square edge skirting boards
Square edge skirting is a simple design with clean lines, with right angles or square edges without any rounded or decorative protrusions.
Due to its straight and simple appearance, square edge skirting can provide a modern and simple decorative effect, which is very suitable for minimalist interior designs such as modern minimalist industrial style.
It not only protects the seam between the wall and the floor but also provides a clear and direct visual boundary for the space.
Stepped skirting boards
The stepped skirting board is designed with a multi-layered stepped edge, usually composed of one or more stepped protrusions, showing a progressive effect.
Such a design can increase the three-dimensional sense and visual layering of the skirting while retaining a certain sense of simplicity.
The stepped skirting is suitable for interior decoration in neoclassical, modern simplicity, retro, and other styles. It can add unique decorative elements to the space and make the transition between the wall and the ground more natural and varied.
If skirting boards are distinguished by height, they are usually simply divided into three types: low skirting boards, medium-high skirting boards, and high skirting boards.
Low skirting board
This type of skirting board is usually relatively low, generally between 8-10cm.
This type of skirting board is beautiful and can effectively protect the wall, reduce wear and tear on corners and floors, and is also easy to clean.
Medium skirting board
Medium height skirtings, their height is between 10-15cm.
This height of skirting is more eye-catching and can play a role in the decoration and protection of the wall.
High skirting board
The height of the high skirting board is generally between 15-25cm. This height of the skirting board is usually suitable for a spacious indoor environment.
Due to its high height, it is more eye-catching in wall panel protection and decoration and can attract more visual focus.
According to the installation method, skirting boards can be divided into exposed skirting boards and embedded skirting boards.
Exposed skirting boards
Exposed skirting is a type of skirting installed directly on the outside of the wall. It is usually fixed with glue, nails, or other fixings. The installation process is relatively simple and easy to replace and repair.
The design and installation method of exposed skirting makes it a visible decorative element between the wall and the floor. It can be matched with different interior styles through multiple colors, materials, and shapes, playing the role of protecting the wall, preventing wear and tear, and covering the seams.
Embedded skirting boards
The embedded skirting board usually requires a groove to be cut at the bottom of the wall in advance, and the skirting is flush with the wall after installation. This installation method will make the interior more concise.
This installation method is suitable for minimalist, modern style or interior design that pursues visual continuity, which can make the wall and the floor look more integrated.
Indoor skirting board
Indoor skirting board is mostly made of wood, PVC, SPC, metal, etc. In indoor environments, the requirements for the performance of skirting profiles are relatively low, and their UV resistance and waterproof performance are lower than those of outdoor skirting.
The selection of indoor skirting is usually based on three conditions. On the one hand, it can be selected according to the color of the indoor floor, on the other hand, it can be selected according to the color of the door lintel, and in addition, the skirting can be selected according to the color of the wall. No matter which method is chosen, it is necessary to ensure that they can form a perfect coordination effect with other interior decoration elements.
Outdoor skirting boards
When we talk about outdoor skirting boards, we usually refer to decorative profiles installed in areas such as balconies, terraces, or outdoor corridors.
In these areas, materials with higher weather resistance and corrosion resistance, such as metal or stone skirting boards, are usually chosen.
If color and texture are used as the criteria to distinguish skirting boards, it is relatively simple. They are usually divided into two types: solid-color skirting boards and patterned skirting boards.
Solid color skirting board
The surface of solid color skirting is usually a solid color, without obvious patterns and designs, and the color is single, which is suitable for modern minimalist style decoration and can be better integrated with the wall or floor.
Patterned skirting board
This type of skirting board has rich patterns or designs on the surface, such as imitation marble, imitation wood, imitation leather, etc., which increases the decorative effect and is suitable for spaces that emphasize style and personality.
Differentiating skirting boards by protective characteristics is a relatively segmented approach. However, for some customers with special needs, this differentiation method can help them quickly find products that meet their project needs.
Waterproof skirting board
Waterproof skirting usually includes PVC skirting, stone plastic skirting, metal skirting, and marble skirting.
This type of skirting has excellent waterproof performance and no affinity with water, so even if it is installed in a humid area, it will not affect its decorative effect and service life.
This type of skirting is designed for humid environments and has waterproof and moisture-proof functions. It is usually suitable for functional areas such as bathrooms and kitchens.
Antibacterial skirting board
Antibacterial skirting board usually has an antibacterial coating or is made of antibacterial material, and is suitable for places with high hygiene requirements such as hospitals and schools.
Fireproof skirting board
The fireproof skirting board is a building material made of fire-resistant materials or specially treated with fireproofing. It is designed to improve the fire resistance of buildings.
Fireproof skirting boards can effectively prevent the spread of fire in the event of a fire, and reduce the damage of flames and high temperatures to walls, floors, and internal structures.
It is usually made of non-combustible materials such as metal (aluminum alloy, stainless steel), stone, glass, or synthetic materials such as PVC and SPC that have been treated with fireproofing.
Fire-resistant skirtings are often used in places with strict fire protection standards, such as public buildings, hospitals, schools, hotels, laboratories, factories, etc.
To sum up, although the skirting is a small detail in our interior design, its importance cannot be ignored. The skirting can not only be used to enhance the beauty of the interior but also provide substantial protection for the wall.
Therefore, choosing a reliable skirting supplier, selecting high-quality skirting profiles, and choosing based on personal preferences and project budget can create a beautiful effect for the home.