Defining “Sit-on” Skirting
“Sit-on skirting” describes an installation method where skirting boards (baseboards) are fitted directly on top of the finished floor surface. This technique is common when the flooring material, such as laminate, engineered wood, or luxury vinyl tile (LVT), requires an expansion gap around the room’s perimeter.
Benefits of Sit-on Skirting
- Concealment of Expansion Gaps: It neatly covers the mandatory expansion space left for floating floors, providing a clean junction between wall and floor.
- Protection: Offers robust protection to the base of the wall against impacts, scuffs, and cleaning equipment.
- Aesthetic Finish: Creates a professional and integrated look, often preferred for its simplicity over using additional trims like scotia or quarter round.
- Installation Sequence: Allows for the flooring to be fully installed first, simplifying the flooring process, with skirting fitted as a final trim.
Critical Considerations
- Floor Evenness: The floor surface must be reasonably level to prevent unsightly gaps beneath the skirting. Significant undulations may require scribing the skirting to the floor or additional floor preparation.
- Skirting Dimensions: The height and thickness of the skirting must be sufficient to adequately cover the expansion gap and any minor irregularities at the wall-floor junction.
- Material Selection: Choose skirting material (e.g., MDF, solid wood, uPVC, polystyrene) appropriate for the room’s environment (considering moisture levels, traffic) and compatible with the flooring type.
- Fixing Method: Proper adhesion (using a strong grab adhesive) and/or mechanical fixings (nails or screws, typically into wall studs or appropriate wall plugs) are vital for a secure and lasting installation. The choice depends on wall construction and skirting weight.
- Painting and Finishing: It is often easier to paint or finish the skirting boards before installation to avoid marking the new floor. If painted in situ, careful masking is required.
