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Skirting & Architrave Buying Guide

As both of these boards are crucial for new doorways and floors, this skirting and architrave buying guide explores the different types available, helping homeowners pick the right designs and sizes. Maintaining a consistent look from floor to ceiling is key in any home, and this guide covers popular styles and colour options to achieve a flawless finish. It also runs through key considerations to keep in mind when planning new features, ready for a trade professional to start fitting skirting boards and architrave.

What is the difference between skirting and architrave?

Skirting

These boards span the perimeter of a room, covering uneven edges or gaps adjacent to walls. Profiles can match doorway styles for a cohesive look.

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Architrave

These boards complete a doorway by concealing the frame edge for a tidy appearance. Various styles can be matched with skirting for a professional finish.

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What are the different styles?

Ogee

Add a traditional touch to a room with the sweeping curves of an Ogee design.

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Torus

A Torus style has a smaller curved edge for a simple decorative look.

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Pencil Rounded

A pencil rounded profile offers a straight front with a rounded top for a minimalistic look.

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Burford

With a linear groove, a Burford style is modern and draws the eye through the space.

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Double Groove

With two deep lines, a double groove design makes for a bold, precise feature.

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Stepped

A stepped profile varies the depth of a boards for a staggered effect.

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What colours are available?

Oak

Oak tones can be used to add warmth to a modern space or continue a heritage look. From Scandi-styles to traditional decors, it is a timeless choice.

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White

Opt for white boards, which are primed and ready to be finished. This versatile scheme offers homeowners the freedom to paint a custom look.

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Planning considerations

Skirting height

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Skirting height

Tall skirting boards offer greater protection from wear and tear and reduce the risk of damage to decor. On their own, they can be used as an eye-catching feature in a room, or fitted in a period property to balance high ceilings and other architectural features. In a pared-back scheme, opt for a more discreet size to maintain the clean lines of a space.
Floor material

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Floor material

When the room temperature changes, some materials like wood and laminate can expand. To counteract this, leave space for an expansion gap around the edge of a room. This is then covered by baseboards for a professional finish. We recommend checking the installation guides of specific products to know how much gap to leave.

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Door designs

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Door designs

Different boards can be chosen to complement the aesthetic of a specific doorway. For example, decorative Ogee or Torus options will enhance the traditional stylings of a six-panelled design, while Burford elevates a modern aesthetic of linear doorways. This attention to detail will ensure that a living area has a cohesive feel.

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Style up frames

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Style up frames

Matching products can create a carefully-curated, boutique-inspired interior that has a more premium appearance. This gives the overall space an uninterrupted, harmonious design, whether simple and slab or detailed and decorative. In turn, this ensures that the entrance to a room is always impressive when welcoming guests.

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Craft custom colours

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Craft a custom colour

Opting for a primed board will allow for painting a palette that runs across the room, helping to tie together a carefully-curated decor. Whether matching with doorway designs, blending in with wall colours, or coordinating with cabinetry, these boards can be painted and finished to suit personal tastes and align with a custom aesthetic.

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Essential equipment

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Essential equipment

A spirit level and angle measure are essential to ensure accurate fitting. If the wall is flat, adhesive may be enough to secure the trim in place. If any small holes are present, these can be filled with decorator’s caulk before installation. Uneven walls may require additional fixing with pins, which can be covered with wood filler before finishing with paint.

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