We all need to do a little DIY now and then. Whether that’s fixing a squeaky hinge or hanging up a picture, these tasks and part and parcel of owning and maintaining your own home.
However, larger DIY tasks can be intimidating. While they are more complex, there’s nothing to say you can’t tackle them yourself without calling in a professional. In this guide, we outlined the steps involved in installing skirting boards. Read on to learn more.
Remove Old Skirting Boards
If you don’t have old skirting boards still in place, you can skip straight ahead to the next step. If there are old skirting boards in your property, you’re going to have to remove them before you can install your own.
The easiest way to do this is to use a chisel, hammer and crowbar. Tap the end of the chisel into the gap between the boards and the wall using a hammer, and then pry the boards off using the crowbar.
Don’t rush this step. Take care and ensure you do not damage the walls while removing old skirting boards.
Measure Accurately
Once you have successfully removed all of the old skirting boards, it’s time to start taking measurements so you can cut your new boards down to the right size.
Using a measuring tape, carefully measure the length of the walls on which you are installing your new skirting boards. You should also measure the height from the floor to the wall to identify where you want your new boards to reach.
Take your measurements a couple of times to make sure you haven’t made any errors, and then carefully note them down for future reference.
Cut Your Skirting Boards
The next step in the process is to cut your new skirting boards down to size. You can buy skirting boards from any reputable builders merchants. Buy at least 20% more than you need, as this will ensure you have enough after you have made your cuts.
Using a saw, you’ll need to cut square ends on boards that will meet at internal corners, and 45-degree angle ends on boards that will meet at external corners. Proceed carefully and consider each decision to prevent any mistakes from happening.
Secure Boards in Place
The final step in the process is to secure your new skirting boards in place. You should also test them first to make sure they fit. You don’t want to secure them only to realise there are large gaps or overlaps.
Once you are confident that the cuts you have made are accurate, you can then apply an adhesive to the back of the boards and attach them to the walls. If you’d prefer, you can screw the boards into place instead.
Finally, fill any gaps with caulk and your skirting board installation is complete!
Conclusion
Installing your own skirting boards can seem like a daunting prospect, but it’s actually easier than many people realise. Follow the steps in the guide above and don’t rush through the process and you’ll have your new skirting boards successfully installed in no time.
