The plinth is a small but quite significant element of the interior. This is exactly the final touch that is needed to complete the whole picture. The plinth allows you to give an aesthetic appearance to the junction between the floor and the wall. Also today on sale there are modifications in which you can easily hide various wires and cables. But not everyone knows how to fix the baseboard. This will be discussed in this article.
Types of skirting boards
All products of this type can be classified according to the material from which they are made.
The following types of skirting boards are distinguished:
- made of plastic;
- wooden;
- from MDF;
- metal.
Most often in private houses and apartments, plastic or wooden skirting boards are used. MDF products are used much less frequently. Metal skirting boards are commonly found in office and industrial premises. The installation method will depend on the type of trim element. The most expensive is the wooden plinth. It is made from environmentally friendlypure and natural material. For its production, oak, alder or larch wood can be used. With the help of such a skirting board, edging of parquet, natural wooden floors, as well as boards is carried out. For decoration, a plinth of both a simple and complex shape can be used. However, certain difficulties may arise when working with this material. For example, to prepare an element of the desired size, you need to use a saw or similar tool.
For the manufacture of MDF skirting boards, wood fibers are used, covered with decorative veneer on top. Such material will look great. In appearance, it is difficult to distinguish it from a real tree. In addition, MDF has a fairly low cost. To work with this material, certain skills are required. The thing is, it breaks easily.
Modern apartments usually use plastic baseboards. This is the best option. He is not afraid of moisture and sunlight, plus everything, he has many colors, so choosing the right one is not difficult. How to fix plastic skirting boards? The presence of special corners and plugs greatly simplifies this task. With their help, you can beautifully and neatly arrange the joints. Plastic plinth can be equipped with special grooves designed to fix linoleum or carpet. This facilitates the process of laying the finish coat.
Methods of fixing the plinth
There are three main ways to fix the skirting board.
Let's look at each of themmore details:
- Adhesive: suitable only if the room where you are going to fix the skirting board has perfectly even walls. Otherwise, the skirting board may fall off the wall over time. Another condition for using this method: the walls must be perpendicular to each other. The method itself is quite simple and allows you to quickly fasten. Liquid nails are perfect for fixing the skirting board. However, in this case, you can no longer reuse the plinth. During dismantling in the future, problems may also arise. This is usually how MDF skirting boards are attached.
- Direct (using nails and screws): With this method, the baseboard is simply nailed to the walls. The recesses formed as a result of the work can be closed thanks to special plugs. On sale you can find such products in various colors. This method is far from the easiest, but it is quite budgetary. How to properly fix a plastic skirting board? It has a special chute hidden by a plug. It is in it that you can attach the product to the wall using self-tapping screws.
- Using latches and brackets: This method is mainly used for fixing plastic or MDF skirting boards. This method can be used even in rooms with uneven walls. However, such fasteners are fragile. Re-fixing the plinth using this method will not work. The brackets themselves are quite reliable.
All existing methods of fixing the plinth can be conditionally classified into two groups: mounting to walls andinstallation by fixing to the floor. The choice is made based on the design features of the room and the type of plinth.
Installation of wooden baseboards: features
Many owners of apartments and private houses are interested in how to fix a wooden baseboard. At the initial stage, it is necessary to cover the products with varnish or any other means that provides protection against decay. After installing the skirting board, it can still be painted. The wooden product practically does not bend. Therefore, before installing it, it is necessary to align the walls well using putty. To fix the skirting board, you need to take nails or self-tapping screws. Installation of the product can be carried out both to the floor and to the walls.
How to fix MDF plinth? Usually special brackets are used for this purpose. They are attached to the walls. For docking in the corners are special plugs. Such skirting boards can be easily removed if necessary. They can then be easily put back into place. Installation of MDF skirting boards usually starts from the doorway and moves deeper into the room from left to right. All saw cuts and irregularities in the formation of corners should be carefully processed, and also covered with a rotting agent. Working with such material without certain skills can be quite difficult.
Plastic skirting boards: features
How to fix a plastic skirting board to the floor? This issue is of concern to many homeowners today. Currently, there are models on sale with and without a cable channel. The place for laying communications is closed whenusing a special plug. Upon completion of the work, the bar simply needs to be inserted into its original place. A one-piece plastic plinth on the reverse side has a special groove in which wires can be placed. However, in this case, the work will be much more difficult, since you will not have direct access to communications.
Choosing a plastic skirting board
The length of a standard plastic plinth is 2.5 m. Such dimensions provide ease of installation and transportation. The cross-sectional size can vary from 15 to 25 mm. The height of the plinth is from 30 to 150 mm. Universal are products whose profile length reaches 50-60 mm. Experts do not recommend installing a high baseboard in a room with low ceilings.
Types of plastic skirting boards
The assortment of plastic skirting boards presented in hardware stores today is simply amazing. They differ in shape, texture, color and so on. On sale there are both universal models and those that are used for joint installation with carpet. The latter are equipped with special grooves. As a rule, such skirting boards are made in the shape of the letter "G". Products also differ in the material from which they are made.
Here are just a few options:
- Foamed PVC: A plinth made from this material is resilient and rigid, but rather fragile. It has no voids inside.
- Rigid PVC: A durable hollow baseboard commonly used in renovations.work in a luxury room.
- Semi-rigid PVC: flexible material, similar to foam powder skirting.
Plastic skirting boards: benefits
When carrying out repair work, the question often arises: how to fix a plastic skirting board to the floor? This element occupies a leading position in the building materials market. Consumers prefer plastic cases because they have so many benefits.
Here are just a few of them:
- light and flexible;
- installation can be carried out in any convenient way;
- no pre-processing required;
- have a long service life;
- not afraid of UV and water;
- do not rot;
- easy to install;
- do not require special care;
- can have any color and shape.
What parts are needed for installation?
We have listed all the advantages that plastic floor plinths have. How to fix this element? Manufacturers sell a huge number of components for a reliable installation. These are various connectors, and corners, and plugs. They are easy to match depending on the size and color of the skirting board.
Components
How to fix skirting boards on the floor? For ease of installation, manufacturers produce a huge number of components. To beautifully arrange the joints between the skirting boards in a perpendicular position, you must use the corners. For harmonious joining of two planks fitconnectors. To close the edges of the plinth upon completion of installation, use special plugs. When buying, it is important to consider what type of item you need. So, for example, plugs can be right or left, and corners can be internal and external. Accessories are purchased separately from the skirting board itself.
Calculate the amount of material
Now that you know how to fix the baseboard, you can start calculating the required amount of material. This requires a number of measurements. The perimeter of the room is calculated without doors. This value must be divided by the length of one skirting board. As a result, you will get the required number of elements. It should be borne in mind that the plinth is bought with a margin of at least half a meter. You can also calculate how many corners and plugs you need. To get the number of fasteners, you need to divide the perimeter of the room by 50 cm. It is also better to purchase dowels and screws with a margin.
Fixation Tools
How to attach plastic skirting boards to various surfaces? For this purpose, you will need a simple set of tools: a drill or a puncher, a screwdriver, a tape measure, a marker, a hacksaw, an awl and a miter box. The technological process begins with the necessary measurements. Basting is made on the plinth for future cutting. In accordance with the measurements taken, the elements are prepared. To start installation work, the protective film must be removed from the skirting board. As a result, a place will open for the installation of self-tapping screws. A piece of plinth must be attached toattachment point. After that, the installation of internal corners is carried out. When all these operations are completed, you can start drilling holes for self-tapping screws or dowels. Fasteners are installed in the holes obtained. The next plinth element is inserted into the previously attached corner. Next is the installation. When the fixing work is completed, you can lay the wires in the cable channels, and then close them with decorative plugs.
Ceiling plinth
How to fix the ceiling plinth? The principle of installation here will be approximately the same. Most often, an adhesive method is used to fasten such an element. In addition to rigid ceiling skirting boards, there are also flexible designs that allow you to create complex shapes.
In conclusion
In this review, we figured out how to fix plastic floor plinths, examined the main varieties of this element and installation methods. To successfully carry out work on fixing this product, you just need to follow the recommendations presented in the article.
