The floor plinth is an important and final part of finishing the room. It is laid only after the walls are decorated, the flooring is laid. The installation of a floor plinth completes the repair and hides all possible errors in the walls or floor. Nowadays, a huge number of varieties of such products have been produced, so when buying, you need to look not only at its color, but also know the features and quality characteristics of the material.
In the article, we will consider what types of profile are, how to choose the right one that is suitable and durable, how to measure the required length so as not to get too little or too much. For masters who want to do the installation of the floor plinth on their own, we will give the necessary advice and recommendations, we will tell you how to properly install products from different materials. And what other modern devices can bebuy yourself to help, how to remove the gaps between the sections of the profile and many other useful things.
Role of indoor skirting board
If you are sure that the role of the skirting board is only a smooth aesthetic transition from wall to floor, then we can assure you that its functions are much wider and more multifaceted. In addition to beauty and a harmonious combination of colors, a decorative strip should close a special compensation hole. This is a thin hole between the flooring and the wall.
It is left because under the influence of climate change and humidity, the wooden coating can dry out and change its parameters. If you seal the gap to the walls on all sides, then the parquet or floorboard will deform and the floor will become crooked. In addition, skirting boards mask all the existing irregularities of both the floor and the walls. Many people hide wires and cables behind them. Before telling how the floor plinth is installed, let's look at what types of it were invented by technologists.
Types of skirting boards
Skirting boards are made in different configurations and widths using modern materials. We list the most popular types:
- Wooden plinth is a natural material, and people who care about their he alth choose it. Skirting boards of various profiles and heights are made from different types of wood. You can choose both an inexpensive option, and from valuable breeds. It is perfect for parquet or floorboards. Do-it-yourself installation of a floor plinth is done using glue or a methodshooting with pins. The angles are set with a miter saw.
- Veneered plinth is similar to the previous version, only its outer surface is covered with veneer from more expensive wood. Such an imitation from above must be covered with varnish or melamine. There are even curvilinear elements on sale that allow you to design a semicircular partition or podium. This plinth is either glued with mounting adhesive to the wall surface, or mounted on a plastic rail. Metal clips can also be used.
- Plastic skirting (PVC) has several advantages, such as low cost, smooth finish, lightness and the ability to quickly clean with detergents. But there are also disadvantages. This product is short-lived, it is necessary to buy plugs for joints and corners. Usually purchased for linoleum or tile.
- Option from MDF. This is a modern and durable material that is perfect for laminate or linoleum. It is cheaper than the wooden counterpart. The top layer is covered with paper imitating different types of wood. According to the reviews of the masters, when working, it is fragile and forms a lot of dust when making corners.
- Polyurethane or duropolymer product. Modern materials wash well, are light in weight and easy to assemble.
- Aluminum skirting boards. This variety is most often seen when decorating office or industrial premises.
Installing a wooden baseboard
Before buying such an expensive material, be sure to measure the perimeter of the room and add 1.5 - 2 meters in reserve. You will also need a miter box to cutprofile at a 90 degree angle. However, in most rooms there are not so even corners, so when installing the floor plinth, you will have to manually adjust the planks to fit all the flaws in the room. According to the masters, they use colored sealants and putty, matched to the tone of the wood, for perfect joining.
To clearly mark the docking points, screw the screws into the wooden plinths so that they go through and the sharp edges stick out from the back. Attached to the wall, they will leave scratches on it. In these places, you need to drill holes for the dowels with a drill or puncher. Then it remains only to attach screws to them and tighten them to the end. So the skirting board will fit snugly against the wall.
According to experienced craftsmen, for do-it-yourself installation of a floor plinth, it is best to take long self-tapping screws with small caps so that they do not stand out much against the background of wood. For the aesthetic appearance of the finished product, the holes must be made at an equal distance from each other. It is also advised to use wooden dowels and finish nails as substitutes for self-tapping screws. However, there are limitations in the use of both. They cannot be used on plasterboard walls.
Installation on mounting clips
There is another way to mount a wooden floor plinth, using special clips. They are used only in rooms with relatively flat walls. Marking is done with the help of a tape measure. The first clip is installed starting from the corner of the room. At a distance of 50 or 100 mm from it, the product is pressed against the floor and a mark is drawn through the hole with a pencil. The following clips are placed every 300 mm. If the wall is perfectly flat, then the gap can be increased to 450 mm.
When everything is marked correctly, start drilling holes with a hammer drill or drill, depending on the strength of the wall. Then the dowels are hammered in and the clips are screwed on. They have special tabs on the bottom for the cable. If you need to run a wire, then do it before putting on the baseboard.
To join a wooden decorative edge strip, it must be filed at an angle of 45 degrees using a miter box. Be sure to carefully check the length of the cut so as not to spoil the material. Then simply snap the skirting board onto the clips with a light touch of your hand. All joints are treated with putty, matched to the color of the wood. At the end, wipe them with a damp cloth.
Wide wooden skirting board
Recently, a wide wooden plinth has become popular, which is part of the decoration of the premises. More wires are hidden behind its surface, however, before installing it, according to the masters, you need to bring the products into the room and let it rest for a couple of days so that the wood "gets used" to the humidity of the room. Only then the installation of a floor wide wooden plinth is carried out using clips or self-tapping screws. We will not repeat ourselves, since the described fastening methods have been discussed in detail earlier. We only note that the mounting clipsyou can only install Euro skirting boards, which have special profiles on the back for putting on.
How to install MDF skirting board
The good performance of MDF skirting board is increasingly attracting buyers. According to reviews, these products are resistant to ultraviolet radiation, moisture, wash well and do not require special care. Smooth and curly skirting boards are produced, which are easy to match to the conditions of the room. You can consider the option for parquet or laminate, as the material imitates any color.
Mounting MDF skirting boards can be done with glue or liquid nails. Suitable products that do not have a mounting channel. According to the recommendations of the builders, this method can only be used on very even walls. Be sure to adjust the desired dimensions in advance and calculate all surfaces. After a preliminary fitting, apply the adhesive base to those parts of the baseboard that will be in contact with the wall and floor. Each piece needs to be held for a while, pressing firmly against the base to give the glue time to grab.
Installation of MDF floor plinth with special grooves on the back side can be done on special hooks. Also use clips, mounting rails. Decorative caps are installed at the end of the row.
Features of installing a plastic baseboard
Plastic skirting goes well with wood, laminate, tile, carpet, linoleum, as its coloring is the most diverse. From the back you canstretch the cable, as there is a hidden channel. Based on the recommendations of the masters, it is best to select slats with a removable core.
Installation of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) floor plinth is carried out using metal clips or a special plastic strip that is attached to the wall. There are also rare options with a self-adhesive strip on the back. These are elastic materials that are used in non-standard situations with semicircular or curly walls.
Typical plinth usually consists of rails, plugs channel for wires, elements for joining and closing the sidewalls. Start work from the corner next to the door. With the help of a miter box and a hacksaw, slats of the required length are prepared. The burrs resulting from sawing are removed with a knife. Using a conductor, holes are drilled on the wall at the same height from the floor for dowels. If the base is drywall, then dowels are not used.
When all the holes are prepared, a rail is applied to them and markings are made with the help of an awl. It is carried out in the center of the channel for wires. Next, the skirting board slats are successively installed, putting on the docking elements and side plugs. Plastic corner caps are also attached to the outer corners to cover the joints.
Installation of polyurethane floor plinth
Polyurethane baseboard is made of foamed plastic. This is a fairly lightweight and durable material. According to customer reviews, it compares favorably with all other products in its environmental friendliness and safety for he alth. The decorative strip is easy to clean and install, it does not show chips and cracks during operation. Plastic plinth is able to visually hide all the uneven surfaces of the walls and floor. Behind it you can lay wires and other communications. Polyurethane is not affected by UV rays, humidity and temperature changes. The material is beautifully dyed, so you can decorate the room in different ways.
Installation of the floor plinth with glue, according to the masters, is carried out after preliminary preparation of the walls for their installation. They must be not only puttied and painted, but also carefully sanded, and most importantly, dry. This approach will ensure a tight fit between the materials. Masters advise to bring the products into the room for "addiction" at least for a day before starting the installation. Also, be careful when transporting that there are no dents or bends on the baseboards.
After marking the lines with a pencil on the wall, you need to ensure the joining of the parts by cutting them with a miter box at 45 degree angles. You can do this with a miter saw or a paint knife.
Glue
Installation of the floor plinth with glue is carried out after fitting the parts in the required places. The fixing agent, according to the recommendations of the masters, is best chosen with the designation of a snow-white-white sign. Do not use glue with solvents, as it will ruin the material. Also, to hide the connecting lines, purchase special docking glue. Its effect resembles melting, which will avoid rupturepolyurethane profile in case of shrinkage.
Installation of polyurethane floor plinth always starts from the corner of the room, for example, from the door. On the back side of the bar there are thin grooves into which glue is applied in a continuous layer. Then the slats are pressed tightly on the marked places and additionally held by hands for 20 minutes. In order for the glue to finally set, a day must pass. To make the attachment as tight as possible, it is advisable to load the plinth with something heavy for this time. It is advised to use small bags of dry mortar.
To install a wide polyurethane skirting board, apply two strips of adhesive. The rest of the installation is similar to the fixing method described above.
Duropolymer skirting board
Compared to the previous material, duropolymer is much stronger, as it has a higher density. Skirting boards also differ in weight, so these products, according to the masters, are much more resistant to external mechanical damage. Some compare its strength to its oak wood counterpart.
This environmentally friendly material is suitable for any premises, even with high humidity, as it does not absorb water at all. Duropolymer floor plinth is installed similarly to polyurethane material. It is easy to cut, and there is also a special groove for wiring communications. Even a novice master can work with a plinth, just mark the places of attachment under the ruler with a pencil and apply a thin layer of a continuous strip of glue.
After attaching the material to the wall, it can be painted in any color to achieve a harmonious combination with the colors of both the walls and the flooring. Many builders choose duropolymer skirting boards for final repairs. Despite the high density, the cost of such a material will cost much less than polyurethane when purchasing. According to builders, it has an undoubted advantage: such material does not shrink.
Final reviews
The article provides detailed information about the types of skirting boards made from natural and synthetic materials. You learned the advantages of each of them, how to install them step by step on different surfaces, and had the opportunity to review the reviews. When choosing a material for your apartment, be sure to listen to the advice of the masters. The purchase of a skirting board should be made taking into account the quality of the walls. Wooden products are suitable only for absolutely flat surfaces, as they are not elastic and will not be able to hide the curvature of their base. You will need to additionally putty or work with sealant. The same goes for veneered wood or MDF options.
Elastic skirting boards are plastic, polyurethane and made of duropolymer raw materials. Therefore, they are extremely popular with builders. And, according to the reviews of the masters, it is easiest to work with them.
