Should Skirting Board Be Fitted Before or After Flooring?
It depends on the floor. For carpet, fit the skirting first and tuck the carpet under it. For a wooden floor, lay the floor first and fit the skirting afterwards, so the skirting covers the expansion gap at the wall.
What should I do for each floor type?
| Floor | Fit skirting | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Carpet | Before the carpet | Carpet is gripped and tucked in below the board |
| Solid or engineered wood | After the floor | Wood moves, so the floor needs an expansion gap that the skirting covers |
| Laminate or LVT | After the floor | The same expansion gap needs covering |
| Tiles | Usually after tiling | Gives a clean edge and a tight bottom line |
Why does the order matter?
Floors that float or move need a gap at the wall. Skirting fitted afterwards hides that gap, so you can leave a clear margin without it showing. If you fit the skirting first on a hard floor, the flooring has to be cut tight to the board, and any movement shows as a gap.
Where does architrave fit in?
Fit the architrave before the skirting, because skirting butts up against the architrave. If you are laying a hard floor, fit the flooring first so you can cut the architrave to the right height. See how to fit architrave.
What about underfloor heating or a floor not yet decided?
If you are not sure which floor is going down, wait. Skirting is easy to fit once the floor is in, and it is harder to correct a gap afterwards. Check your flooring supplier's advice about the expansion gap size.
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