Common Skirting Board Questions and Advice
Find your skirting board
Pick a profile and height below, then order a free sample to see the oak or pine in your own room before you buy.
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Which profile and height do I need?
1. Choose your height
- 120 mm high suits most modern homes and standard ceilings of around 2.4 m.
- 170 mm high suits taller ceilings, period homes and rooms where you want a more substantial look. Manor House is only made in 170 mm.
If you are unsure, hold a 120 mm and a 170 mm sample against the wall. A free sample of each is the easiest way to decide.
2. Choose your profile
| Profile | Best for | Heights | Oak | Pine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chamfer | Clean, simple lines for modern and contemporary rooms | 120 mm, 170 mm | Chamfer oak | Chamfer pine |
| Chamfered-Grooved | A chamfered edge with a groove detail for a little extra character | 120 mm, 170 mm | Chamfered-Grooved oak | Chamfered-Grooved pine |
| Pencil Round | A soft rounded edge that suits both modern and traditional homes | 120 mm, 170 mm | Pencil Round oak | Pencil Round pine |
| Bullnosed | A rounded top edge for a softer, traditional or cottage feel | 120 mm, 170 mm | Bullnosed oak | Bullnosed pine |
| Ogee | A classic S-curve for traditional and period interiors | 120 mm, 170 mm | Ogee oak | Ogee pine |
| Torus | A rounded, moulded top for period-style rooms | 120 mm, 170 mm | Torus oak | Torus pine |
| Chatsworth | A more decorative moulded profile for traditional rooms | 120 mm, 170 mm | Chatsworth oak | Chatsworth pine |
| Manor House | Our grandest profile, for tall ceilings and period homes | 170 mm only | Manor House oak | Manor House pine |
Looking for a rustic, characterful look? Try our Bullnosed Character Oak skirting board (145 mm).
3. Match it to your architrave
As a rule, your skirting board should be taller than your architrave is wide, so the architrave sits neatly against it. A 120 mm or 170 mm skirting works with our 55 mm and 70 mm architrave. Manor House skirting (170 mm) pairs with Manor House architrave (95 mm). See the architrave guide or shop architrave.
4. Work out how much you need
Use our skirting board and architrave quantity calculator: enter your wall lengths and door openings and it tells you how many lengths to order, including an allowance for cuts and waste. If you are not sure, send us your measurements and we will check them for you.
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Skirting board questions and answers
Why do I need skirting board?
Skirting board protects the bottom of the wall from knocks, scuffs and vacuum damage, and hides the joint between the wall and the floor so the room looks finished.
What heights does your skirting board come in?
Our oak and pine skirting comes in 120 mm and 170 mm heights, except Manor House, which is 170 mm only. Our Character Oak bullnosed skirting is 145 mm.
Which is better for skirting board, oak or pine?
Oak is a hard, durable hardwood with a distinctive grain, and it is the grade we recommend for a premium finish, especially if you want to stain or oil it. Our unsorted grade pine is the best quality pine available, it is more affordable, and it is ideal for painting. Order a free sample of each to compare. See our wood grades guide.
Should I paint my skirting board?
It is a matter of taste. Painting gives a clean, consistent finish and is the usual choice for pine. Oak is often left natural, stained, oiled or varnished to show off the grain. Whichever you choose, follow the finish manufacturer's instructions.
Which profile should I choose?
Chamfer and Pencil Round suit modern and contemporary rooms. Ogee, Torus, Chatsworth and Manor House suit traditional and period homes. See the table above, and order a free sample to check the look in your room.
How much skirting board do I need?
Add up the length of every wall, take off the width of door openings, and add about 10% for cuts and waste. Our quantity calculator does this for you.
Can you match my existing skirting board?
Yes. Send us a sample of your current skirting and we will price it individually. See our FAQs for the address, or contact us.
Do you sell MDF or PVC skirting board?
No. We specialise in solid oak and solid pine skirting board, made at our woodyard in Ashbourne, Derbyshire.