We recommend using two coats of paint for skirting boards to ensure greater protection. Once the first coat is dry, lightly sand the skirting boards with fine sandpaper before applying a second coat. Does Satinwood Paint Need Undercoat? While some satinwood paints are self-undercoating, it's often advisable to apply a separate undercoat for a more durable and even finish. On the other hand, if yours is an older home, you may be better opting for a more ornate profile. "Decorative profiles including traditional ogee, ovolo, lambs tongue and torus designs work well in period settings," says Rebecca. You can read more about how disgusting they were here. Although this really didn’t do much for our heating bills – if you add up all the gaps between the skirting and floor, the area adds up to about the area of a small window – it was really necessary.

Skirting Boards Without Ruining Your Walls How To Paint Skirting Boards Without Ruining Your Walls

Home journalist Rebecca Foster advises: "Your budget will determine the type of skirting you opt for, both in terms of materials and style. Intricate profiles cost more than basic boards."What Is the Best Paint for Woodwork That Stays White? For woodwork that stays white, look for high-quality, non-yellowing paints. Brands like Dulux and Crown Trade offer paints specifically designed to retain their whiteness over time. From confused mid-century bungalow to open-plan Kiwi-style, contemporary home - this stunning home has been completely transformed

Skirting Board Tape, Double-Sided, Strong Adhesive Tape, 50 m Skirting Board Tape, Double-Sided, Strong Adhesive Tape, 50 m

We have some enormous spiders coming in,,,,,,, it’s my big big hate, I’m really hysterical about them, and I’m usually level headed, I know they are more frightened of me,, I know they can’t hurt me, I know it’s ridiculous, etc etc,Invest in Good Quality Tools: The quality of your brushes and rollers can significantly impact the final result. Investing in good quality tools can make the painting process easier and more efficient. Thanks, Elaine! I completely agree with you about the beading! I was sooo happy when we ripped up the laminate flooring in our house and could remove the beading that we had! As annoying as it is, I can’t really think of an option other than removing and then reattaching the skirting. When laying an engineered floor, you are always going to have a gap that needs covering somehow. If it’s not possible to remove the skirting, maybe you could choose some beading that’s then painted the same colour as your skirting so that it blends in and looks like it’s just skirting?

Skirting Board Tape, Double-Sided, Strong Adhesive Tape, 50 m

When you’ve finished sanding, use a cloth to wipe away any excess dust. Protect yourself by wearing a dust mask when sanding. Next apply decorators tape along the base of the wall, where it meets the top of the skirting board. This will ensure a crisp, clean line and protect your walls from getting marked with the paint. Masking tape is the first line of defence when you need to protect your carpet. Lay down the tape with a millimetre or two on the skirting board. Push down with the edge of a putty knife or paint scraper to get a tight fit. Should You Paint Woodwork or Walls First? As mentioned earlier, it's best to paint the walls first and then proceed to the woodwork, including skirting boards, for a cleaner finish.

Prep and Painting Step-by-Step

I totally understand your problem Raj. I think you may have less of a problem with new skirting boards, but it all depends on how even the floor is and you will probably still be left with a small gap between the floor and skirting. I personally wouldn’t fill the gap with caulk as it’s impossible to keep clean and over time will rip (due to movement) which could make it look messy. I’d be tempted to live with a small gap if you can get it as even as possible. Depending on your chosen paint, you might need to use a primer first. We'd always recommend this step if your boards are bare, as it gives a much better finish, but some paints do have primer built in, so you might be able to get away with this step. If not, apply your primer with a good quality brush, leave to dry, give a light sand and then wipe, followed by a second coat. Then, before starting with the first layer of your chosen paint, give it a light sand and wipe again.