Plastic Skirting Boards - Everything You Need To Know
Posted by Skirting World on 1st Jan 2025
PVC Skirting Boards
PVC skirting boards offer specific benefits compared to wooden options. These boards provide a practical choice for many areas in British homes, with particular strengths in moisture-prone spaces.
Material Construction
PVC and polymer skirting boards use rigid plastic compounds in their construction. This composition creates complete water resistance, unlike MDF or timber that is susceptible to water-damage (Our MDF is moisture-resistant). The material keeps its shape even when wet, making it effective for bathrooms, kitchens, and utility rooms where direct water exposure happens regularly.
The synthetic composition prevents mould growth and eliminates rot risk, even in consistently damp conditions. This resistance makes plastic skirting especially useful near outside walls or in ground floor rooms where rising damp might affect wooden alternatives.
Daily Use
Cleaning needs only basic household products, with no special treatments required. Unlike wooden skirting, PVC versions need no painting or protective coatings. Their solid construction withstands impacts from vacuum cleaners and furniture without significant marking.
Regular cleaning doesn't affect the surface finish, and the material maintains its appearance without additional maintenance. Small scratches show less prominently than on painted surfaces because the colour runs throughout the material, however scratches cannot be repaired like they can in MDF, wooden skirting boards. Plastic skirting boards are also more likely to suffer from micro-abrasions caused by cleaning cloths with tiny debris particles or slightly abrasive cleaning materials.
Installation
Many PVC skirting designs include cable routing channels behind the board. These channels hide electrical wires and network cables effectively while maintaining easy access. Some versions use clip-mounting systems for straightforward fitting, while others need adhesive or mechanical fixing.
The material cuts cleanly with standard woodworking tools, though sharp blades give the best results. Its lighter weight helps with handling during fitting. Temperature changes affect the material's size, so proper expansion gaps remain essential during installation.
Cost Analysis
PVC skirting typically costs more initially than basic MDF options. However, its reduced maintenance needs and longer lifespan often lower the overall cost. Quality varies significantly between manufacturers, affecting both durability and appearance. Better quality products usually demonstrate superior stability and finish quality.
Available Options
Heights typically range from 70mm to 170mm, matching common wooden skirting dimensions. Styles include simple modern profiles and more detailed traditional patterns. Surface finishes range from plain white through to wood effects, with modern manufacturing methods producing increasingly realistic appearances.
Better quality ranges often include features like improved UV resistance, more robust mounting systems, and harder-wearing surfaces. These enhancements particularly benefit high-traffic areas or rooms with frequent cleaning needs.
Room Usage Considerations
Plastic skirting proves particularly effective in wet areas. Its water resistance suits bathrooms, kitchens, and utility rooms where regular cleaning occurs. The material handles steam and water exposure without deterioration, maintaining consistent performance over time.
Many UK homes combine both PVC and wooden skirting, using each material where its properties work best. This approach often means plastic skirting in moisture-prone areas and wooden skirting in main living spaces where traditional appearances take priority.
Material Limitations
Deep scratches in PVC skirting need section replacement rather than repair, unlike wooden skirting which allows filling and repainting. The material's response to temperature changes means proper fitting remains crucial for long-term stability.
Plastic skirting boards are only supplied in limited specifications, dimensions like height, thickness, width are supplied in stock sizes and customisation is heavily limited. Bespoke options are also unfeasible. Whereas with MDF / wooden skirting, lengths are made to order at custom sizes and bespoke options are easily accessible.
Long-term exposure to strong sunlight may affect some types of plastic skirting, though better quality products include UV protection. The material's appearance stays consistent without maintenance, but any significant damage usually requires replacing the affected section.