Do SPC floors need skirting? We believe that some homeowners have this question in life. So are they necessary in some home and commercial decoration projects today? With this question, this guide will explore it in depth.
As we all know, skirting boards are very common in life. If you observe, you will find that they are widely used in modern homes and commercial spaces. So, what benefits can they bring to us?
The skirting is an accessory used at the junction of the bottom edge of the wall and the floor. It can protect the bottom edge of the wall and prevent the stains of the wet mop from dirtying the wall during daily floor cleaning, affecting the appearance. Or when using a sweeping robot to clean the floor, the skirting can effectively prevent the robot from colliding with the edge of the wall.
During the installation of the SPC floor, it is usually necessary to ensure that a 4~10mm expansion gap is reserved between the wall to prevent the floor from being damaged due to natural expansion. The skirting can perfectly cover this gap, so that the floor will look more beautiful.
The skirting can create a perfect transition between the wall and the floor, especially in areas such as the living room and bedroom, where its aesthetic value is more easily reflected.
Some new skirting boards (such as PVC skirting boards or aluminum alloy skirting boards) have a back space that can store wires and cables, helping you to plan indoor wiring reasonably and make the wall and floor areas cleaner and tidier.
It can be seen that although the skirting is an "inconspicuous" floor accessory, its role is often indispensable. But during the construction process, should we lay the SPC floor first or install the skirting first?
The best way is to lay the SPC floor first and then install the skirting. Because this can avoid the problem of too large a gap between the skirting and the floor.
Before you start installing, you may need to prepare construction tools in advance to ensure efficient work.
Measurement tools: Prepare a tape measure, pencil, or triangle ruler in advance, use the measuring tool to measure the length of the wall, and use a pencil to mark the length to be cut on the skirting.
Cutting tools: Hand saws and metal cutters are the most commonly used cutting tools. After cutting the skirting into sections, you need to use an angle grinder or sandpaper to grind the edges to ensure there are no burrs.
Fixing tools: Depending on the type of skirting board, the fixing method is also different. Taking PVC skirting boards as an example, some can be quickly installed using structural adhesive. Some use a hidden nail design, that is, nails are driven into the grooves of the skirting board with a nail gun to complete the fixing.
Repair tools: If you lay the floor first and then install the skirting, you can ensure that the gaps are minimized. However, to ensure that the final decoration effect is more beautiful, it is usually necessary to use caulking agents to fill the small gaps, prevent water seepage, and maintain the overall beauty.
Protective tools: To ensure construction safety, you also need to prepare masks, earmuffs, goggles, and gloves.
Use a measuring tool to measure the room perimeter and cut the skirting to the corresponding length. And calculate the number of skirtings you need to buy (the final purchase quantity needs to consider a reasonable loss value of 10%).
Clean the floor surface and the gap between the wall and the floor to ensure there is no dust or small debris, providing a clean and tidy surface for the installation of the skirting.
To ensure that your skirting is installed smoothly, you can follow these steps:
PVC skirting: Hand saws and metal cutters are common tools for cutting PVC skirting. Hand saws are suitable for small-scale installations and have greater flexibility. Metal cutters are suitable for batch cutting and are also suitable for large installation projects.
After cutting, sand the edges with sandpaper to ensure that the skirting edges are burr-free and smoother.
Aluminum skirting: Cutting metal skirting requires professional tools, usually electric cutters, angle grinders, hand saws, and professional angle cutting tools.
Similarly, after cutting, trim the edges with sandpaper or files.
Method 1: Some skirtings are equipped with complete accessories, such as left end caps, right end caps, connectors, internal corner accessories, external corner accessories, and bases. This type of skirting is easier to install, and the joints and corners are more natural and beautiful.
Method 2: For skirtings without accessories, when splicing at corners, it is necessary to cut at a 45-degree angle and sand the edges before splicing to ensure that the final product is seamless and has good continuity.
The installation methods of skirtings of different types and materials are different. The following are their common installation methods.
Installation with structural adhesive: It is more convenient to install skirtings with structural adhesive, but it also requires higher wall flatness.
Installation with nails: Some skirtings with hidden nails are usually installed with nails. After installation, embed the matching PVC strips into the groove to achieve the effect of hiding the nails.
Installation with clips: For skirtings with clips, you need to install the matching base at the bottom of the wall in advance (usually 2 to 3 bases are used per meter length), and then easily clip the skirting into the base.
If there is a socket on the path where the skirting is installed, you need to reserve a suitable opening on the skirting in advance to ensure the smooth access of the socket.
Some PVC skirtings have a wire storage space on the back, which is convenient for storing messy wires or cables, making the space between the wall and the ground tidier.
When the installation is complete, use caulking agent to repair the edges and evaluate the installation effect. Use a damp rag to wipe the surfaces of the skirting to keep it clean and tidy.
To ensure that the skirting retains its refined appearance for a long time and prolongs its life, regular cleaning and simple maintenance are necessary. You can follow these tips:
General Cleaning: Wipe your skirting boards regularly with a feather duster or a damp rag to keep them looking neat.
Protective measures: Avoid installing skirtings in hot or humid environments. The PVC film on the surface of PVC skirtings with coating technology is easy to peel off when exposed to sunlight for a long time. Aluminum alloy skirtings are also prone to rust when exposed to humid environments for a long time.
In addition, in daily use, avoid scratching the surface of the skirting with sharp objects to avoid scratches.
Check the surface regularly: If the surface of the skirting board is found to be oily or stained, timely measures should be taken to avoid irreversible damage to its appearance or structure.
When buying skirtings, you need to pay attention to quality, application scenarios, and make reasonable decisions based on the project budget. You can refer to the following factors:
1. Skirtings installed flat against the wall are more convenient, while embedded skirtings require grooving at the bottom of the wall, and the cost of replacement is higher later.
2. Wooden skirtings are usually matched with wooden floors, but wooden skirtings are less waterproof and can usually only be installed in dry areas (not recommended in bathrooms or kitchen areas). PVC skirtings are highly waterproof and lighter. PVC skirtings with transfer or hot melt adhesive coatings are available in a variety of finishes and can be perfectly matched with various types of floors.
3. Choose skirtings according to ceiling height and space size. High skirtings are suitable for high floors and open rooms, while narrow rooms usually use short skirtings of 3~6 cm.
4. There are usually three ways to match skirtings. They can be the same color as the floor, the same color as the wall, or the same color as the door lintel.
5. Skirting lines with smooth surfaces are easier to clean, while skirting lines with complex shapes will increase the workload of cleaning (such as sheep tongue skirting lines).
All in all, there are many benefits to installing skirting on SPC flooring. As an "inconspicuous" flooring accessory, its importance is often not to be overlooked. Transforming your flooring environment with the CREATEKING skirting series products can quickly improve the visual appeal of the space and increase the value of the home.
Following the above guidelines will help you achieve a perfect installation, and combined with the necessary maintenance tips, the skirting will be able to maintain a beautiful surface and structural stability for a long time.
If you are planning to update your flooring, CREATEKING's high-quality skirting may be your ideal choice!
