How to fix poorly installed skirting boards?

AmberM

Hi there,

I have some old and poorly installed skirting boards in my unit. They look like some kind of hybrid material. The floor is hybrid.

In some places, there are large gaps between the skirting and the wall/floor, so there’s a lot of dust and debris in there.

Would it be a good idea to remove the skirting boards before the walls are painted? If so, how should this be managed? Would I install the new skirting before the paint job, or add the new skirting boards later? 

What kind of tools would I need for this job? 

Thanks! 

JacobZ

Hi @AmberM,

Your skirting boards are MDF with a wood texture on the outside. MDF is a manufactured timber product that is essentially compressed sawdust, which is glued together.

Typically, when a house is being finished, the trim carpentry, which includes skirting boards, architraves and cornices, is installed prior to painting. In your situation, this would be the same. You should remove the old skirting boards and trims and replace them prior to painting. Unless you use a prefinished material for your skirting boards, they would also need to be painted, so installing them and painting them in situ as part of the whole painting project is what is typically done.

Check out How To Remove Skirting Boards for guidance on the process and tools required to remove your skirting boards.

Check out How To Install Skirting Boards for guidance on the process and tools required to install your new skirting boards.

Have a look through those articles and let me know if there is anything you need guidance or clarification on. I am more than happy to assist further if required.

Jacob