Should I Paint Skirting Boards?

When you’re decorating any room or space in your home, skirting boards can make or break the final look. If they look great, they subtly complement the rest of the room with a neat finish (unless you’re a skirting board connoisseur like us here at Skirting King, and pay more attention to the skirting boards than anything else!).

If skirting boards look tired, damaged, or yellowing, then they easily ruin the entire space. If they’re damaged, then it’s a good idea to consider replacing them. But if they’re in good shape and just need a touch-up, or even if they’re brand new, then painting them could be all they need for the perfect look.

It all depends on the material of the skirting board, and if you’re prepared for the prep work involved.

Should I Paint My Skirting Boards?

As we’ve touched on already, there are reasons you may worry about whether you should paint your skirting boards or not. It can depend on your personal preference, and also the material you’ll be working on.

If you have MDF skirting boards, then you’ll need to prime and topcoat them, to protect them from wear and tear and moisture. But if it’s pine skirting boards we’re talking about, you can choose to either paint them, or leave them in their natural form, with visible grains and knots.

What also needs to be considered is the level of traffic your skirting boards will have to deal with. If it’s a busy space or room, we strongly recommend you prime and topcoat no matter what the material is, as protection will be paramount.

Ultimately, painting skirting boards comes down to personal preference. If you decide they would look much better painted, then make sure you protect them first and the paintwork will last a lot longer.

Preparing Your Skirting Boards for Paint

The preparation work in any DIY task is often the most crucial stage to achieve a professional, successful finish, so skip it at your peril! You’ll need to ensure your skirting boards are fully prepped, so that your paintwork isn’t wasted.

The tools and equipment you’ll need are:

• Chemical paint stripper or sandpaper
• Damp cloth or sponge
• Filler compound
• Medium-grit sandpaper
• Soft cloth or brush

Now you’re all set, here’s how you paint your skirting boards step by step:

1. Before you can apply fresh paint, you’ll need to use chemical paint stripper or sandpaper to remove the old varnish and paint. Make sure the area is well ventilated for this part, and that you’re wearing gloves.

2. Next, you’ll need to clean the skirting boards from dust, dirt and grime. Hoovering them with a brush attachment is a good idea, followed with a damp cloth or sponge and mild detergent. This ensures you don’t end up with a rough or bobbly surface at the end.

3. Once the skirting boards have completely dried, now’s a good time to fill any gaps, cracks, or little holes with filler. Allow the filler to dry completely before moving into the next step.

4. Now it’s time to prep the surface by sanding down with medium-grit sandpaper. This will give you a smooth surface from any filler, while also making it slightly rough for the paint to adhere to. Always sand in the direction of the grain so that you don’t create scratch marks.

5. Finally, use a soft cloth or brush to remove any dust from sanding, then wipe down the skirting boards with a damp cloth so that they’re clean and ready for painting.

Yes, prep work adds time to what you really want to be doing – painting the skirting boards. But these five simple steps will give you that professional finish without the bobbles and digs that will drive you mad over time.

A Top Tip For When The Time Comes To Replacing Your Skirting Boards

At Skirting King we offer pre-primed boards, which are sanded and sprayed with two coats of premium primer, saving you time and money. We also have a fully finished option – these are ready to fit and do not require any preparation at all before fitting.

We don’t use any chemical-based products throughout our finishing process, and all our primers and satin paints are water-based, too.

Do I Need a Specific Paint?

Now you’re ready for painting, you’ll need to be sure you’re using a paint that is suitable for skirting boards as well as in keeping with your décor.

Acrylic or oil-based paints are suitable for skirting boards – what you must be sure of is that the paint is heard-wearing, and suitable to endure the knocks and bashes skirting boards suffer. There are paints that are specifically designed for skirting boards – these are your perfect option, as they are designed to give a smooth finish but also remain strong.

An easy-clean paint will make it easier for you in the long term to keep your skirting boards looking clean and new for longer, so bear this in mind too.

How We Paint Our Skirting Boards

Painting isn’t everyone’s favourite past time, especially with low-reach DIY such as skirting boards.

At Skirting King, we have embraced modern technology and invested in an automated spray booth in our paint room. This advanced system applies primer and satin paint to the skirting boards, so that you’re left with a consistent and professional finish – no drips or patches.

And once the boards are primed and fully finished, we subject them to at least two rounds of sanding using our automated brush sander. This meticulous attention to detail guarantees a smooth surface, ready to be installed in your home.

We take great care in ensuring our painting process results in a flawless finish, because we know just what a difference skirting boards can make to your design.

For more information about our paint and finishing techniques, please visit our Painting and Finishing page. Whether you’re renovating or building from scratch, you can trust us to provide skirting boards that are not only beautiful by design, but also expertly painted.

Maintenance of Painted Skirting Boards

If you’ve painted your own skirting boards, you’ll need to pay attention to wear and tear. Keeping them well maintained will mean they look good for longer, and less likely to need replacing so soon. Here are our top tips:

Regular Cleaning

Keep on top of dust and dirt to prevent it from building up. To do this, carefully vacuum them with a brush attachment or use a dusting mop, and clean them with a damp cloth occasionally, ensuring you don’t soak them.

Touch-Up Paint

Over time, the painted surface of your skirting boards may chip or wear off. To keep them looking pristine, keep a small amount of the paint used for the skirting boards handy and touch up any areas that need attention.

Avoid Harsh Chemicals

When cleaning your skirting boards, avoid using abrasive cleaners or harsh chemicals, as these can damage the paint or the material of the skirting boards. Instead, use a mild soap and water solution to gently clean the surface.

By following these maintenance tips, you can ensure that your painted skirting boards complement your interior design and add a finishing touch to any room.

Remember, you can always speak to a member of our team who will be happy to assist with any of your skirting board queries!