Articles
All photos from the article
If you used wood for finishing, then to give the interior a finished look you will need to use additional elements to cover the joints and abutments. Naturally, it is best to use additional products made of the same material as the main covering; if, for example, you use a plastic ceiling plinth to look like wood, then the appearance of the finished result will leave the best.
In the photo: products can have very different configurations, but we recommend choosing simpler options if you do not have experience in making skirting boards
Types of skirting boards depending on the material
Types of skirting boards based on raw materials and decorative properties
The type of raw materials determines the characteristics of the product and the likelihood of improving properties through technological additives in the mass during manufacturing.
They produce products from materials:
- plastic;
- wood;
- polyurethane;
- MDF.
L-shaped carpet strips are made from plastic. These frames have the possibility of gluing a coating; products are produced with or without rigid ribs.
Fluted plinth is used in places with increased requirements for cleanliness. The linoleum is lifted onto the wall, then a plinth strip is formed from it.
PVC tape is used to install floor plinths in irregularly shaped rooms. The elements are flexible and can frame semicircular walls.
Plastic
Plastic plinth with cable compartment
Inexpensive borders made of polyvinyl chloride are popular; they are placed on linoleum, laminate, and carpet coverings. The system includes corners and plugs to create a neat joint; the frame is secured with clips and rails.
Plastic is a brittle material that will crack under impact or pressure. In unheated rooms, products are destroyed in severe frost. The height of plastic skirting boards is 5 - 10 cm, the strips can bend slightly, so they can be placed on curved wall railings. The positive qualities of plastic frames are that they are lightweight and do not absorb water or odors.
Tree
Wooden plinth for parquet floors
The product is made from solid wood; decorative veneer can be glued to the surface.
There is heterogeneity in mass in the products:
- the base is made of inexpensive pine or spruce;
- Valuable wood species are used for the veneer layer.
There are options for skirting boards made of homogeneous wood - such models are expensive. The positive properties of the planks include their cozy, warm appearance and environmentally friendly material; skirting boards are durable and easy to process. The disadvantages include the high cost of even the combined option and susceptibility to moisture in damp apartments, when washing floors, as well as significant weight.
Polyurethane
Polyurethane skirting boards are resistant to external influences.
Strong skirting boards are lighter than their wood counterparts and are also harder than them. The material does not absorb moisture, but its structure weakens during sudden temperature changes. Installation of polyurethane floor plinths is completed by painting. The material combines well with water-based compositions, but skirting boards are not painted with oil-based compositions so that the product does not begin to warp from the solvent.
Rigid and flexible versions are produced, the latest models bend to a radius of 30°. For elasticity, rubber is added to the mass. Disadvantages include the likelihood of shrinkage in length and thickness during operation.
MDF
Installation of MDF floor plinth ensures the stability of the connection between the floor and the wall for a long time. Products are produced up to two meters long and up to 20 cm high. The planks are covered with decorative film of various colors, so there is always a wide choice in relation to parquet and laminate.
Skirting boards are made from wood fibers by pressing. The elements are bonded using modified urea resins. Skirting boards are easy to cut and can be installed yourself. The strength of MDF borders is low, they are afraid of dampness and are saturated with moisture from direct contact with water, so they are not suitable for the bathroom and kitchen.
Equipment required for work
To make a plinth with your own hands, you need to have a certain set of tools; we will consider those devices with the help of which the process is carried out as quickly and efficiently as possible:
| A circular saw | Needed to cut the board into pieces of the required size. In our case, a compact option is also suitable, since the average thickness of the processed materials is approximately 50 mm. It is important to purchase a high-quality saw blade so that it does the job well and does not leave burrs on the ends; it is better to choose the option with a medium or fine tooth; it cuts slower but cleaner |
| Jointer | Used to make surfaces smooth, it will take just a few minutes to process the board and you will get a perfectly smooth surface. We recommend paying attention to combined options that combine a circular saw with a jointer; the price of such solutions is much lower than purchasing two separate devices |
| Milling machine | We can say that this is the main equipment, without which it is impossible to make a plinth, like many other products. On sale you can find inexpensive models for home use that can help in solving any problems that arise during the construction and repair process. |
| Wood cutters | The router itself is useless unless you have cutting elements of a certain configuration. They are sold in specialized stores and differ both in appearance and in quality. If you want to achieve an excellent result, it is better to choose more expensive options; they provide high quality work and are much more durable than the budget segment |
Important! In addition to the equipment, you need to take care of the room where it will be located. There should be high-quality lighting, the area should be sufficient, and the temperature should not fall below 15 degrees so that the wood does not deform.
Circular saw with jointer - a universal multifunctional device
Advantages and disadvantages of skirting boards
The advantages of baseboard floor framing are that wires are hidden behind them and heating elements are installed. If you make skirting boards on the floor with fasteners, they are disassembled for cable inspection and repair. There are options with an external channel for wires with a snap-on longitudinal panel. Elastic seals are provided on both edges of the strip so that the nervousness of the wall is not noticeable.
Disadvantages of materials may manifest themselves in the fact that budget types of skirting boards are not suitable for expensive coatings, as they reduce the cost of a stylish interior solution. Caring for the strips is simple; they are washed with a damp cloth, but this cleaning method is not suitable for MDF skirting boards, as it accelerates their destruction.
How to make a corner correctly
In order to learn how to make a corner on the baseboard, just read the information below.
So, in order to make the corners on the plinth as smooth and correct as possible, you just need to buy a special device called a corner element.
In the modern world, a corner element can be selected for absolutely any connection option. If you are interested in how to make a corner on a plinth without a miter box, turn to the Internet for help.
Components
Fasteners and screws for installing skirting boards
Connecting or transition elements are designed to create a continuous contour and connect the planks in straight sections. If there is wiring, it goes through them easily.
Other details to achieve a harmonious floor frame:
- external and internal corners to insert lamellas at right angles at the junction of walls; the corner can be assembled at an angle of 45 or 135°; corresponding elements are produced for this;
- plugs can be installed in the area where curbs adjoin the door casing or in other blind places.
Mounting brackets can be placed on the wall to allow the baseboard floor frame to be dismantled if necessary.
Product advantages
The following can be distinguished:
- Very high performance.
- Easy to install, since the plastic skirting board is sold ready for installation. Moreover, the kit contains all the necessary elements.
- Versatility. The height of the plastic product may vary, so you will have the opportunity to choose the desired option.
- Resistance of the material to biological influences.
- The bar is quite cheap.
- Plastic.
- Small mass.
- Wide range of products.
- There is no need to use additional tools for cutting plastic.
- Skirting boards are resistant to temperature changes and moisture.
- Plastic elements are very easy to clean.
- There is no need for additional painting of the material, although such a possibility exists.
- The product can be attached in different ways.
- A plastic plinth allows you to hide wires and cables.
- Fire resistance.
- Environmental safety of plastic material.
Determining the quantity of materials
According to the instructions, the plinth is placed not only around the perimeter of the room, it must be placed in niches under the radiator, arched openings, and placed on door slopes. Therefore, the perimeter is initially calculated, then the indicated areas are measured and all values are added up. To account for cutting, the resulting value is multiplied by a factor of 1.1.
Fasteners are counted at intervals of 0.5 m, and the number of external and external corners is counted. For a direct joint, two elements are provided per small room, the number of plugs near the door frames and in other places is determined.
Recommendations from professional designers
A wide floor plinth is a fashionable and decorative stylish element of a modern interior. They look great when combined with decorative moldings, wide trims, elegant cornices, arch and window frames, radiator screens, while creating a feeling of richness and stability.
But when choosing a high baseboard, you must think about how it will fit into the interior of the house. For harmonious interior design, it is recommended to follow certain rules.
The plinth for a room height of up to 2.6 meters should be up to 0.07 meters high. If the room height is 2.6-3 m, a plinth with a height of 0.07-0.09 meters is required. For rooms with a height of more than 3 meters, skirting boards with a height of 0.1 meters and higher are optimal.
Installation of the plinth is the final stage of decorating the interior of the room. Classic wide skirting boards allow you to decorate an apartment or country house, as well as a hotel, restaurant or chic office. A high specific plinth, even without special wall finishing, allows you to give a finished and wealthy look to the premises, confirming the excellent taste of the homeowners.
Required Tools
Tools for installing skirting boards on the floor
Use a vacuum cleaner to remove dust from the joint between the wall and the floor. Before installation, remove interfering mortar protrusions and other material residues. To do this, use a chisel, a hammer and a straight spatula.
Other tools:
- miter box for cutting baseboards, hacksaw;
- tape measure, pencil, knife, Phillips screwdriver;
- square, hammer.
You will need an electric drill, a hammer drill, drills for the diameter of self-tapping screws, and a drill with a pobedit for holes in the walls. If self-tapping screws are visible, purchase small round button covers for them that match the color of the baseboard.
Wooden plinth: types, shape, installation details
Wooden finishing is deservedly considered a classic, not subject to any newfangled trends. There are now many good floor borders on the modern market, but natural wood, just like a hundred years ago, is valued higher. In this article we will talk about the advantages and disadvantages of this material, and also tell you how to correctly select and install a wooden plinth with your own hands.
Photo of a wooden border in the interior.
Options for attaching skirting boards to the floor
Using glue to install skirting boards
Each type of border and material has a special fastening technology. If all the nuances are taken into account, the product will last a long time and will not have to be redone over time.
Options for installing skirting boards on the floor:
- on standard mounts;
- using glue;
- on self-tapping screws.
The functionality of the frame and the likelihood of dismantling depend on the fixation method.
Glue or liquid nails
In this way you can lay any type of plinth, and for polyurethane panels it is the only possible one. The glue is applied to a cleaned and dry area free of dirt and dust. Additionally, the surface is degreased with a composition recommended by suppliers of liquid nails.
The glue is applied pointwise to the inner side surfaces of the baseboard, then the strip is pressed tightly against the surface to the wall and held for a minute. After this, proceed to fastening the next element.
The glue is not applied too thickly so that it does not extend beyond the bar when pressed.
Self-tapping screws with dowels
Fastening a plinth with a strip
You can mount different plinths with self-tapping screws; more often, this is how they fix plastic strips with niches for wiring. One part is mounted to the wall, the electrics are placed inside, then the lid is snapped on. With this technology, the screws remain inside.
The plinth is applied to a vertical surface and a hole is made with a drill so that a mark remains on the wall. The strip is moved aside, a slot for a plastic dowel is drilled with a hammer drill, it is placed in the recess, then the plinth is placed in the mounting position and secured with a self-tapping screw into the dowel. The hardware is screwed in without force so that the strip does not crack.
Using clips, latches and mounting rails
To install the fasteners on the wall, make a horizontal line at the level of fixing the brackets; the height dimension is taken according to the instructions from the baseboard passport. On a line with a step of 50 cm, a series of holes are made in the wall for plastic dowels, with the initial and last holes located 5 cm from the end.
Clips are attached to a concrete wall with dowels; screws can be installed into wood. While twisting, do not press the strip to the floor. After installing all the brackets, the frame element is simply put on and snapped onto the fasteners.
Manufacturing process
Making skirting boards from wood is a fairly simple process if you understand its features well. There are no trifles here, each stage matters and affects the final result, so carefully read all the recommendations below.
Purchasing material
First of all, you need to stock up on material, there are some nuances here:
Edged planed board is ideal, but unedged raw materials can also be used
Important! Regardless of the selected species, the most important criterion is the moisture content of the material; it must be dry so that after the work the product does not deform or crack. It is difficult to determine this indicator by eye, so it is better to purchase products from reliable sellers who store wood in heated premises.
Oak has a very attractive structure and is very durable; the service life of skirting boards made from this material is half a century or more
Workpiece cutting
Let's consider the option with an unedged wooden board as the most complex and labor-intensive; the following work is carried out:
It is important to feed the board smoothly and keep your hands away from the saw blade.
Jointing allows you not only to polish the end, but also to make it perfectly straight
The manufacture of wooden skirting boards is made from precisely such blanks
Milling
First of all, you need to fix the wood cutter on the machine; the figure below shows an option that will allow you to make a ceiling plinth from semicircular wood.
You can purchase several options for products of different shapes and purposes.
This is what cutters for ceiling plinths look like
Anyone can make a plinth for wooden lining
