Choosing a plinth is not an easy question, but having studied in detail all the features and varieties of these decorative elements, you can easily choose the right option for the floor in your house or apartment. We will also go a little deeper into the process of installing skirting boards, which will help you prepare for renovation work.
It’s probably worth starting with the basics, because many don’t even think about the history of the creation and origin of skirting boards, where they were invented and why they are needed at all.
Plinth is an interior element that performs a decorative and protective function when finishing premises. It is installed at the junction of walls and floor, thanks to which it hides the gap that appears when installing floor coverings, and also prevents the spread of dirt in residential areas.
Skirting boards are a complete analogue of fillets, which perform the same function, only they are mounted under the ceiling.
The origin of this decorative element is unknown; however, similar design solutions were used in Ancient Rome and Ancient Greece, and the word plinth itself comes from the Latin “plinthus”, that is, tile.
Despite such a long period of existence, there is still no more accurate, effective and beautiful way to hide the joints between the wall and the ceiling.
The main change that has arisen over the years has been the materials from which skirting boards are made. This is precisely their main difference, so when choosing, you should pay attention to the materials used, but there are also a number of other parameters.
For the manufacture of skirting boards the following is used:
Wood is a classic version that has been used in interior design for hundreds of years. The key to such success is the availability of materials and ease of wood processing. In addition, wooden plinths go well with natural parquet, wooden floors and laminate. Such skirting boards are completely environmentally friendly and safe, have a long service life and are easy to maintain.
MDF is a transitional stage from natural wood to artificial plastic. MDF skirting boards are distinguished by a wider choice of styles, while they have an optimal price-quality ratio, and are also cheaper than wooden ones. The technology is identical to the production of laminate, thanks to which you can choose the ideal baseboard for the floors in your house or apartment. Having a laminated layer (film), MDF skirting boards are resistant to moisture, although the service life is still shorter than that of natural wood.
Plastic is the most modern option for skirting boards for the home; they absolutely do not limit you in choosing a design. Plastic skirting boards are cheaper than all of the options listed, and although the plastic itself is not environmentally friendly, it can reduce deforestation. Plastic is also an almost eternal material; it is not afraid of moisture, sunlight, or temperature changes.
If you have already figured out the materials, you can move on to classifying them by size.
Depending on the size, skirting boards are:
Low - neat skirting boards no more than 4 centimeters high. Ideal for modern design trends, when large curly elements are simply inappropriate
Medium - height varies between 5-8 cm, these skirting boards are the golden mean, as they are suitable for most interior options.
Tall - the average height is 10-12 cm, which allows them to perfectly complement classic interiors, where a high edging would be very appropriate.
Also, do not forget about style, since on the market you can find skirting boards in a classic style, minimalist or high-tech, as well as modern.
Each of them is distinguished by design details, smoothness and direction of lines, and style of patterns. We will not analyze each of them in detail, since this is a subjective opinion, and you need to select a plinth based on the chosen interior design and personal preferences. Classic-style skirting boards will not always be compatible with your interior, presumably in the same style. In addition, do not be afraid to experiment; this is the rule that will allow you to create a unique design that will make you feel as comfortable as possible.
We looked at all types of skirting boards, depending on materials of manufacture, style, and sizes. Now it’s worth paying a little attention to the process of selecting suitable elements.
Having understood all the features and varieties of floor skirting boards, it is worth learning more about the principles of selection. Fundamentally, the baseboards are practically no different in their design; the main nuance is the features of the room itself. Based on this, you need to select a suitable baseboard.
What to consider when choosing:
Type of room - this parameter undoubtedly influences the choice of baseboard, since you cannot use wood in the bathroom due to high humidity. The same applies to the kitchen and hallway, because each room has its own humidity and temperature indicators.
The level of operation of the premises is a relative parameter, but it also needs to be taken into account. Living rooms and children's rooms, as well as hallways, kitchens, and workshops should definitely not be equipped with plastic or MDF skirting boards, since it may simply break upon impact. In more “quiet” rooms, all types of skirting boards can be used.
Flatness of the walls - it is worth remembering that the plinth is a flat and fairly long plank made of plastic, MDF or wood, so the walls must also be fairly flat. Even a slight bend will be visible to the naked eye.
The presence of bends, recesses and protrusions - at the stage of selecting a plinth for a specific room, it is worth remembering the geometry of the room itself. Many owners like to decorate their homes with various decorative niches, columns, and semicircular ledges. In this case, not all skirting boards will suit your needs.
Interior design - the baseboard should fit harmoniously into the interior design, period! This can be realized by selecting complementary, or, conversely, contrasting styles, it’s up to you to decide.
If you have never selected such decorative elements before, don’t worry, there are a few simple rules that will allow you to make the right choice.
For rooms with a light interior design, you can buy almost any baseboard. Dark and light options are universal, but any colored baseboard design needs to be compared and combined with the accent colors of the interior.
A similar rule applies to rooms with a dark interior - in this case, contrasting dark and light baseboards will work perfectly, but any colored ones are unlikely to show their best side. Although if you like to experiment, then why not create accents yourself.
And most importantly, do not forget about the rules for combining colors, this is very important.
Choosing the wrong baseboard can lead to worsening the visual perception of the room, making it smaller or larger than the real one.
If your choice fell on wooden skirting boards instead of MDF and plastic, do not forget about the need to paint them. It is best to do this using glossy enamels, which allow you to obtain a smooth surface. This will greatly simplify the further care of your decorative elements.
When choosing a plinth according to height, it is worth remembering - the higher its height, the more protected the walls will be. For the rest, be guided by the visual perception of the compatibility of the selected components.
