Skirting Boards

What are skirting board mouldings?

Skirting board mouldings are the shaped timber boards fixed along the base of interior walls, where the wall meets the floor. They serve a practical purpose, protecting the plaster from knocks, scuffs, and furniture, but they're also one of the most impactful decorative details in a room. The word "moulding" simply refers to the shaped profile machined into the face of the board. Those curves, steps, and recesses give the skirting its character, and skirting board mouldings range from simple, clean profiles to elaborate traditional designs with multiple layers of detail.

What is the difference between wood skirting boards and timber skirting boards?

In practice, there's no meaningful difference between them. Wood skirting and timber skirting are simply two ways of describing the same thing, and both refer to skirting boards made from natural, solid material rather than MDF or other composites. You'll hear the terms used interchangeably across the trade. What matters far more than the terminology is the species of timber, whether that's pine, oak, Tulipwood, or another hardwood, as that affects the appearance, durability, and how the board takes a finish.

What is a period or traditional skirting board?

A period skirting board is one that follows the design conventions of a specific architectural era, Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian, and so on. These styles are characterised by generous height and elaborate profiles, often featuring combinations of ogee curves, ovolo beads, and chamfered steps that create a strong visual presence at the base of the wall. A traditional skirting board draws on these same heritage profiles without necessarily being tied to a single period. It's a broader term for any skirting that references classical or historical design, and both tend to look their best in older properties where the proportions of the rooms call for something substantial.

What is a vintage or antique skirting board?

Vintage skirting and antique skirting boards refer to either original period timber salvaged from older buildings, or new boards machined to replicate historical profiles with authenticity. Genuine antique skirting board has the appeal of original patina and aged timber, and can be a lovely option for restoration projects where matching existing woodwork is important. Vintage-style profiles, machined from fresh timber to traditional designs, offer the same aesthetic character but with the consistency and ease of new material. Both approaches are popular in period renovations where modern off-the-shelf profiles simply don't have the depth or detail to suit the space.

Are your skirting boards available in hardwood?

Yes, our hardwood skirtings are available in a range of species to suit different applications and finishes. Hardwood is the natural choice where the skirting will be stained, oiled, or finished clear, as the grain and warmth of a timber like oak or Sapele simply can't be replicated in a painted softwood. Hardwood skirting is also more resilient than pine in areas that take heavy use, and it machines to a crisper, finer profile on more intricate moulding details. Get in touch if you'd like advice on which species best suits your project.

What is a decorative skirting board and how is it different from a plain profile?

A plain skirting profile is essentially a flat board with a simple eased or chamfered edge, clean and unfussy, and well suited to contemporary interiors. A decorative skirting board has a shaped face with multiple elements, including curves, beads, coves, and steps that catch the light and add visual weight to the base of the room. The level of decoration tends to reflect the style and age of the property. A Georgian townhouse might call for a tall, elaborate profile with several distinct moulding elements, while a simpler Victorian terrace might suit a single ogee with a pencil bead. Decorative skirting boards are generally associated with period and traditional interiors, but they can work beautifully in contemporary spaces too, particularly where a room benefits from a stronger sense of proportion and detail.

How do I choose the right period wooden skirting board for my home?

Start with the age and character of the property. Each architectural period has its own conventions around height, profile, and detail, and matching these will always give the most authentic result. Victorian homes typically suit a tall skirting with a bold ogee and ovolo profile, Georgian properties tend to favour a more restrained and classical shape, and Edwardian houses often sit somewhere between the two, with generous height and moderate decoration.

If there are any original period wooden skirting boards surviving elsewhere in the house, those are your best guide. Matching or closely complementing the existing profile will give the most coherent result. Where the original skirtings have been lost, the height of the ceilings is a useful reference, as taller rooms generally warrant taller, more detailed skirtings to keep the proportions feeling right. If you'd like a recommendation, share a few details about your property and we'll point you in the right direction.