Learn More (Wall Finishes - Skirting / Scotia)
Most floors e.g. timber, hybrid, laminate, bamboo etc. require expansion gaps, with the exception of vinyl planks. Skirting and scotia are used to cover the expansion gap.
New Flooring
If you are installing a new floor, you have two options:
Option 1: Install Timber Skirting Boards
Timber skirting boards are nailed and / or glued onto the wall. They come pre-primed and are ready to be painted immediately after installation.
Option 2: Install Scotia
Install scotia - a smaller colour-matched or white profile that can be directly nailed or glued onto the walls, for a less obvious look.
Existing Floor with Existing Skirtings
Option 1: Install Scotia on Existing Skirting
Fit new scotia onto the existing skirting boards - instead of removing your existing skirting boards, you can attach a smaller profile scotia onto your existing skirting boards.
Option 2: Replace Old Skirting with New Skirting
Fit new timber skirting boards - remove your old skirting boards and install new skirting (pro tip: go for one size larger e.g. if you have 66mm skirting previously, go for 90mm as it’ll be easier to cover any paint gaps). The skirting boards are pre-primed and ready to paint straight after installation.
Option 3: Refit Existing Skirting
In some instances, it is possible to remove and refit the existing skirting boards. This is the most difficult of all as old skirtings are often damaged in the process, especially if they have been glued to the wall. Additionally, due to height variances of different floors, sometimes a paint line is exposed above the replaced skirting, so additionally painting may need to be done.
How to Calculate Skirting Required
Measure up and tally up all the walls and add 10% wastage as a minimum. If you want to have less joins, you may want to opt for between 15 - 20%.
FAQs
Do you have longer skirting or scotia?
No, we only stock 2700mm timber skirting and 2400mm scotia for the purposes of shipping. Doing a join on a skirting is relatively easy and isn’t noticeable as it’ll be filled and painted afterwards. As the profile of scotia are much less visible, joins are almost unnoticeable when installed properly.
What requires painting and what doesn’t?
Our timber skirtings (Pencil Round, DAR, Pencil Square, Half Splay) and timber scotia (Scotia, Half Splay) are pre-primed, meaning they are ready for painting. We have two types of scotia: 1) Water-resistant scotia and 2) Standard MDF scotia that already come laminated or wrapped in decor film, so they do not need any painting and can be directly installed.
What skirting option is best for me?
Either option is suitable depending on your style! Historically, timber skirting has always been the most popular and premium option, but many people are now considering pre-made skirting as a quicker and easier alternative.