The Benefits of Using Pine Skirting Boards
Your choice of skirting board can make all the difference to the overall appearance of your home. We all spend so much time considering paint colour for the walls, wallpaper designs, lighting, flooring and furnishings.
Yet, when it comes to skirting boards, their simplistic yet essential function make it quite difficult to decide which type of skirting board you should have.
The first thing you need to decide on is the material. Pine and MDF are two of the most popular, while there are many other materials you could use. So why choose pine? In this article, I explain why pine could be the perfect type of skirting room for your décor.
Aesthetic Advantages – Enhancing Interior Design
An unattractive skirting board is pretty noticeable in any room. Even if you’re not too fussed about the décor and simply want a skirting board for functionality, it’s worth considering how aesthetically suitable your choice of material is.
Pine skirting is popular across the board – from budget DIYers to the renovators who want a classy finish. That’s because pine adds warmth and a natural elegance that complements both modern and contemporary interiors.
Pine can be stained or painted, so it can easily blend in with your existing décor, or become a stand-out feature if you wanted. It can be utilised in modern homes for straight, clean cuts, or in period properties for more traditional, detailed profiles.
We love pine for its beautiful natural grain – it can add real character and beauty to a room. Whether varnished to emphasise its organic patterns or painted in a colour of your choice, the visible grain of pine skirting boards can’t be replicated by synthetic materials.
Diverse Styles and Profiles
You can get pine skirting boards in a range of profiles to suit any look and taste:
- Chamfer: Minimalistic and modern
- Bullnose/Pencil-round: Soft, rounded edges for a subtle detail
- Ogee: Traditional design with elegant curves
With natural charm and versatility combined, it’s clear why pine skirting boards a top choice.
Moisture and Wear Resistance
Thinking of adding pine skirting boards to a bathroom or basement? If so, you’ll need to think about moisture and humidity. Pine is naturally more susceptible to moisture compared to MDF and some hardwood options, so sealing it properly is important. If you don’t treat it with adequate sealing, pine skirting could start to warp or swell.
Simply put, pine skirting boards are not the best choice for rooms like the bathroom. You can protect them thoroughly to reduce moisture problems, and your pine skirting boards will survive for longer – but they are much better suited to other areas of your home, where humidity levels are low.
Ease of Maintenance and Cleaning
Pine skirting boards are really quite easy to maintain. Just dust them regularly and wipe with a damp cloth to keep the surface free from dust and dirt. If it’s unpainted, some knots and grains can actually contribute to the wood’s natural appeal and character. If you don’t like these and want a smoother finish, they can easily be sanded down.
If you’ve painted your pine skirting boards, keep some of the paint handy to cover up those minor scratches and marks. If the boards are varnished or stained, they might require reapplication over time to maintain their finish and protect against scratches or dents.
Overall though, pine skirting boards are easy-going on the maintenance front, and will last a very long time.
Installation and Customisation
Pine skirting boards are easy to work with. They are softwood, which means nails or screws rotate into the pine with ease, without splitting the wood. Pre-drilling is something I’d recommend to anyone, just to ensure the neatest of finishes.
Pine works really works well with adhesive too. This makes attaching pine skirting boards to walls so much easier.
Both these positives are really useful if you’re installing skirting boards yourself, though they’re also helpful for professionals, especially if you’ve briefed them with something more intricate or customised.
This ability to ensure a seamless fit is particularly useful for rooms with irregular angles, or where a higher level of finish is desired. On top of all this, pine skirting boards are easy to sand down and paint for a high-end finish. A DIYer’s dream!
Pine Skirting Board Cost-Effectiveness
Cost-effectiveness is one of the biggest reasons pine is such a popular choice of skirting board. It’s a budget-friendly option, providing both quality and affordability for this home improvement.
Of course, there are more luxury finishes, such as oak, a beautiful hardwood – but this will be much more expensive. Softwoods like pine will cost you much less and still look classy.
Comparing Material Costs
‘What about MDF? That’s even cheaper, isn’t it?’ Well, yes – MDF (medium-density fibreboard) is often available at a cheaper price tag than pine; but you’ll lose that natural wood grain appearance. Some people prefer the smoother, glossier finish you get with MDF, which is easy to paint, too.
Pine is your perfect middle-ground. It’s more affordable than hardwoods and gives a natural aesthetic, is easy to paint, and it won’t break the bank.
Long-Term Value
While the upfront cost is of course an important consideration, always think about the long-term value of the materials you choose. The natural durability of pine skirting boards means you won’t have to replace them as frequently as cheaper materials.
You can also reduce costs by purchasing pre-cut lengths.
Summary
It’s clear by now why pine skirting boards are so popular. Crafted from the soft wood of pine trees, these skirting boards offer a warm and inviting look that complements many different styles of interior décor.
Besides looking great in the home, pine skirting boards are easy to install and customise, they’re durable, and very reasonably priced.
No matter your décor, pine wood can be either varnished or stained to showcase its natural grain, or painted smoothly to match your colour scheme. Pine ticks all the boxes, and is an excellent choice of material for your skirting boards.