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Before you begin, ensure you have all the necessary tools and materials. Measure your room accurately and purchase slightly more skirting board than you need to account for mistakes or miscalculations.

Remove any existing skirting boards and prepare the walls by filling any holes or cracks. Use a pipe and cable detector to locate any hidden wires or pipes in the walls where you'll be attaching the skirting boards.

It’s recommended to start on the longest wall with internal corners, as this will provide a better foundation for fitting the skirting around the room. Reuse existing fixing points wherever possible to reduce wall damage.

Measure the length of each wall where you'll be fitting skirting boards. Mark the measurements on your skirting boards, ensuring you account for corners and joints. Make sure to protect the face of the skirting by placing a piece of wood between the face and the mitre tool when cutting.

For internal corners, you'll need to create a scribed joint. For external corners, you'll use a mitre joint. Mark these on your boards accordingly.

Mitre Joints for External Corners

For external corners, cut two pieces of skirting board at a 45-degree angle so they fit together perfectly. Use a mitre saw or mitre box to make these cuts:

1. Set your mitre saw to 45 degrees (for other angles use our Mitre Angle Calculator).
2. Place the skirting board face-up against the fence of the saw.
3. Make the cut, ensuring the saw blade comes down smoothly.
4. Repeat for the adjoining piece, but in the opposite direction.

It is recommended to secure the mitre tool in a vice or workbench for accuracy. Use a piece of wood between the mitre tool and the face of the skirting to protect its surface.

Scribed Joints for Internal Corners

For internal corners, one piece will be cut straight, while the other will be scribed to fit the profile of the first piece:

1. Cut the first piece square, butting it into the corner.
2. For the adjoining piece, cut a 45-degree mitre on the end.
3. Use a coping saw to cut along the profile of the mitre, following the contour of the skirting board.
4. Sand the cut edge for a smooth finish.

There are three main methods for attaching skirting boards:

1. Nailing

Nailing is a traditional method that works well for solid walls:

• • Use lost-head nails and hammer them in at a slight angle.
• • Space nails about 600mm apart.
• • Ensure that there are no pipes or cables behind the skirting before drilling or nailing.
• • Use a nail punch to countersink the nails slightly below the surface.

2. Screwing

Screwing is ideal for plasterboard walls or when you want a very secure fit:

• • Pre-drill holes in the skirting board to prevent splitting.
• • Use wall plugs if screwing into masonry.
• • Countersink the screws slightly.

3. Adhesive

Using adhesive is a good option for uneven walls or when you want to avoid visible fixings:

• • Apply a zigzag pattern of adhesive to the back of the skirting board.
• • Press the board firmly against the wall.
• • Use temporary supports or weighty items to hold the board in place while the adhesive sets.

You may encounter obstacles such as radiator pipes or electrical sockets. Here's how to handle them:

Radiator Pipes

• • Measure the position and diameter of the pipe.
• • Mark this on your skirting board.
• • Use a drill to make a hole slightly larger than the pipe (You can purchase skirting board with a rebate to save time and effort).
• • Cut from the back of the board to the hole to allow the board to slot around the pipe.

Electrical Sockets

• • Measure the position and size of the socket.
• • Mark and cut out the required section from your skirting board.
• • Use a jigsaw or coping saw for precision cutting.

Filling and Sanding

• • Use wood filler to cover any nail holes or gaps in joints.
• • Once dry, sand the filled areas until smooth.
• • Use fine-grit sandpaper for a professional finish.

Caulking

• • Apply decorator's caulk along the top edge of the skirting board where it meets the wall.
• • Smooth the caulk with a wet finger or caulking tool for a neat finish.

Painting

• • If your skirting boards aren't pre-painted, now's the time to paint them.
• • Use masking tape to protect the wall and floor.
• • Apply a primer if needed, followed by your chosen paint.

If your  walls are uneven, you may notice gaps between the skirting board and the wall. To address this:

• • Use a flexible filler or caulk to fill larger gaps.
• • For very uneven walls, consider scribing the back edge of the skirting board to fit the contour of the wall.

If you notice gaps in your mitre joints or scribed corners:

• • Use wood filler to fill small gaps.
• • For larger gaps, you may need to recut the joint for a tighter fit.

If your skirting board splits when nailing:

• • Always pre-drill holes for nails or screws, especially near the ends of boards.
• • Use a nail punch to avoid hammer marks on the wood surface.

Regular cleaning will keep your skirting boards looking their best:

• • Dust regularly with a soft cloth or vacuum attachment.
• • Wipe down with a damp cloth and mild detergent for deeper cleaning.
• • Avoid using harsh chemicals that could damage the paint or wood.

Over time, your skirting boards may need some touch-ups:

• • Keep some matching paint for quick touch-ups on scuffs or marks.
• • Re-caulk any areas where the caulk has cracked or separated over time.

Do I need to remove old skirting boards before installing new ones?

What type of saw should I use for cutting skirting boards?

How do I deal with uneven walls?

Should I paint or install skirting boards first?