How to clad over existing skirting?

FaithyB

Hi,

I have regular boring builders skiting that is bullnose about 10mm thick and 650mm high. I want to replace it and looked at skirting cladding in Australia but the styles are really limited and only about 2 places I can find that does it. I am trying to avoid having to take all the existing off!

I like this one and wondered because it is thicker, could it be routed out somehow and then used to clad. Would that be a home job or is there a way to get the routing done somewhere? Is the cost likely to out way the effort/ possible wall damage saving?https://www.bunnings.com.au/138-x-18mm-2-7m-white-primed-fj-step-pine-moulding_p0489335

Would love if Bunnings could have a product like this available. There is a company in UK that has this and has loads of options but it doesn’t seem a thing really here?

Any advice on the best/easiest way and if using regular skirting and turning it into cladding is even a viable consideration.

Cheers

JacobZ

Hi @FaithyB,

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is wonderful to have you with us.

Unfortunately, I am not aware of any skirting covers that are available within our network.

What you’re suggesting with routing out the back of a thicker moulding is technically possible, but it’s not a simple D.I.Y. job. To do it cleanly and consistently, you’d need a router table rather than just a handheld router. You’d be removing a fairly precise channel along the full length of each piece, and getting that straight and even across multiple boards is where it gets tricky. Even small inconsistencies will show once it’s installed.

Getting it done professionally is an option, but it would likely be quite time consuming and expensive. A carpenter or joiner would need to set up for repeat routing, and you’d be paying for both labour and setup time. By the time you factor that in, the cost would almost certainly outweigh the effort and any wall damage you’re trying to avoid.

Realistically, removing the existing skirting and replacing it with your preferred profile is usually the easier and more cost-effective path. It might feel like more work upfront, but it gives you a cleaner finish and avoids a lot of complexity. With the right tools, removal is fairly manageable and any minor wall touch ups are generally straightforward.

I'd suggest you have a look at How To Remove Skirting Boards and How To Install Skirting Boards to get an idea of what is involved. Ultimately, it would be a little bit more involved, but with the additional cost to have covers custom made, it would likely end up costing less.

Let me know what you think and if you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob