Skirting boards are an essential element of your interior design scheme and merit as much attention as doors and walls when looking to refurbish and renovate a room. And skirting boards are not just a decorative feature. Yes, they have an aesthetic quality and play an important role in framing a room and applying balance, but their critical function is in hiding joints, cracks and imperfections in plasterboard and protecting your walls from everyday knocks and scrapes. Like any feature of the home, in the 21st century there are more options than ever in terms of how we replace skirting boards and what materials we use, and plastic has emerged as a viable alternative to timber, so how do they compare?
Appearance
Plastic skirting boards are typically made from a uPVC material which can be painted and will retain this appearance long-term. The big advantage of timber skirting boards to most people is that they present a natural and timeless look. The classic natural wood appearance is warm, elegant and classy, while plastic is somewhat more one-dimensional. That can appeal in a contemporary home which doesn’t need the traditional feel of natural wood, while wood would work better in an older, period property. Also, wood can be painted, varnished and stained almost any colour you wish, but with plastic these options are more limited.
Durability
There is no doubt that plastic skirting boards are easy to maintain and are tough and durable. They won’t scuff and won’t warp, crack or splinter. It is true that timber skirting boards can warp if they are exposed to moisture, but this is a rare occurrence and if this happens it points to a wider problem in the home that will most likely affect much more than just your skirting boards. Hardwood timber skirting boards are still robust and durable and will last many years if properly maintained.
Installation
Both plastic and timber are light materials and are easy to handle and install. One of the major advantages of plastic is that it is cheaper, because it is mass-produced. But this can lead to quality issues and people do find that the finish is not consistent and edges are not always straight. This can provide problems when trying to install plastic skirting boards because plastic is much less forgiving than wood, which can be planed and shaved easily to delicately meet length requirements. Therefore, if there is any danger of walls or joints not being straight, wood is a much easier material to work with in order to achieve an exact fit and a neat appearance.
Environmental
Although some plastics can be recycled, there is no 100% environmentally friendly way to dispose of uPVC skirting boards. Their manufacturing process also has an environmental impact, while timber skirting boards are the product of the most sustainable building material in existence.
It is clear that plastic skirting boards have advantages in terms of cost, maintenance and durability, and will work well in a contemporary home with a basic colour scheme and a minimalist interior theme. But timber skirting boards will always have a classic appeal, are hard-wearing and durable and perhaps offer more versatility in how they can be machined and how they can be coloured to suit your tastes. This also makes them easier to match with other features in the home such as architrave, wall mouldings and doors.
At Period Mouldings we have a large range of skirting boards made in Yorkshire using traditional handmade techniques. These will suit all period tastes and all size requirements, so contact our team to discuss your requirements or order online today.