How to replace skirting boards?

[sammyla]

I would like to replace all skirting boards in my house. But I'm not sure which material to pick as I don't really understand the difference between mdf, primed pine and wood. 

Which one ranks the first, second and third?

[JacobZ]

Hi @sammyla,

In terms of order, I would put them as follows -

1. Primed timber
2. Clear Timber
3. MDF.

Primed timber, such as 66 x 18mm 5.4m White Moulding Pine Primed DAR, is the ideal material for skirting. It is made of timber, which has been primed for ease of installation and painting.

Clear timber, such as Porta 65x12mm 2.4m DAR Rectangle Clear Pine, is much the same as primed timber in terms of what it is made of, but it does not have any primer applied, so you would need to apply it yourself before painting.

MDF is made of compressed wood fibres. Think of it like very dense cardboard. It is a relatively cheap option, but it should never be used in an area where it is likely to come in contact with water. This is because, as cardboard would, it will swell and weaken if exposed to water. 

My advice would be to use the pre-primed timber in a profile of your choosing. This is what they are designed for, and they are your best option.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob