The plinth is a small but quite significant element of the interior. This is exactly the final touch that is needed to complete the whole picture. The skirting board allows you to give an aesthetic appearance to the joint between the floor and the wall. Also on sale today there are modifications in which you can easily hide various wires and cables. But not everyone knows how to fix the baseboard. This will be discussed in this article.
Skirting Types
All products of this type can be classified by the material from which they are made.
The following types of skirting boards are distinguished:
- from plastic;
- wooden;
- from MDF;
- metal.
Most often in private houses and apartments, plastic or wooden skirting boards are used. Products from MDF are used much less frequently. Skirting boards made of metal are usually found in office and industrial premises. The installation method will depend on the type of trim element. The most expensive is a wooden baseboard. It is made of environmentally friendly and natural material. For its production, oak, alder or larch wood can be used. With the help of such a baseboard, edging of parquet, natural wooden floors, as well as boards is performed. A plinth of both simple and complex shapes can be used for decoration. However, when working with this material, certain difficulties may arise. For example, to prepare an element of the right size, you need to use a saw or similar tool.
For the manufacture of MDF skirting boards used wood fibers coated on top with decorative veneer. Such material will look great. In appearance it is difficult to distinguish from a real tree. In addition, MDF has a fairly low cost. To work with this material you need certain skills. The fact is that it breaks easily.
In modern apartments, plastic skirting is usually used. This is the best option. He is not afraid of moisture and sunlight, plus everything, he has many colors, so choosing the right one will not be difficult. How to fix plastic skirting boards? The presence of special corners and plugs greatly simplifies this task. With their help, you can beautifully and neatly arrange the joints. Plastic skirting board can be equipped with special grooves designed to fix linoleum or carpet. This facilitates the process of laying the topcoat.
Methods for fixing the baseboard
In total, there are three main methods for fixing the baseboard.
Let's consider each of them in more detail:
- Glue: it is only suitable if the walls where you are going to fix the baseboard have perfectly even walls. Otherwise, the skirting board may fall off the wall over time. Another condition for using this method: the walls should be perpendicular to each other. The method itself is quite simple and allows fast fasteners. Liquid nails are perfect for fixing the baseboard. However, in this case you will not be able to reuse the baseboard. Further dismantling may also cause problems. Usually, MDF skirting boards are attached this way.
- Direct (using nails and self-tapping screws): when using this method, the baseboard is simply nailed to the walls. The recesses formed as a result of the work can be closed thanks to special plugs. On sale you can find such products in various colors. This method is far from the easiest, but quite budgetary. How to fix plastic skirting board? It has a special gutter hidden by a plug. It is in it that you can attach the product to the wall using self-tapping screws.
- Use of latches and brackets: the method is mainly used for fixing plastic or MDF skirting boards. This method can be used even in rooms with uneven walls. However, such fasteners are fragile. Re-fix the baseboard using this method will not work. The brackets themselves are quite reliable.
All existing methods of fixing the skirting board can be conditionally classified into two groups: installation to the walls and installation by fixing to the floor. The choice is made based on the design features of the room and the type of baseboard.
Installation of wooden skirting boards: features
Many owners of apartments and private houses are interested in how to fix a wooden baseboard. At the initial stage, it is necessary to cover the product with varnish or any other means providing protection against decay. After installing the baseboard, it can still be painted. The wooden product practically does not bend. Therefore, before installing it, it is necessary to align the walls well using putty. To fix the baseboard, you need to take nails or screws. Installation of the product can be carried out both to the floor and to the walls.
How to fix MDF skirting board? Usually special brackets are used for this purpose. They are mounted on the walls. For docking in the corners are special plugs. Such skirting boards can be easily removed if necessary. Then they can easily be put back into place. Installation of MDF skirting boards usually starts from the doorway and moves deep into the room from left to right. All saw cuts and irregularities in the formation of corners should be carefully processed, as well as covered with an anti-rotting agent. Working with such material without specific skills can be quite difficult.
Plastic skirting boards: features
How to fix a plastic baseboard to the floor? This issue today worries many homeowners. Currently on sale there are models with a cable channel and without it. The place for laying communications is closed with a special plug. Upon completion of the work, the bar just needs to be inserted in its original place. The one-piece plastic baseboard on the back has a special groove in which you can arrange the wires. However, in this case, the work will be significantly more difficult, since you will not have direct access to communications.
Choose a plastic baseboard
The length of a standard plastic baseboard is 2.5 m. Such dimensions provide ease of installation and transportation. The size of the cross section may vary from 15 to 25 mm. The height of the baseboard is from 30 to 150 mm. Universal products are those whose profile length reaches 50-60 mm. Experts do not recommend installing a high baseboard in a room with low ceilings.
Types of Plastic Skirting Boards
The range of plastic skirting boards presented in construction stores today is simply amazing. They differ in shape, texture, color and so on. On sale there are both universal models, and those that are used for joint installation with carpet. The latter are equipped with special grooves. As a rule, such skirting boards are made in the shape of the letter āGā. Products also differ in the material from which they are made.
Here are just a few options:
- Foamed PVC: a skirting board made of such a material is elastic and rigid, but quite fragile. Inside it has no voids.
- Rigid PVC: a durable hollow baseboard, which is usually used during repair work in a luxury room.
- Semi-rigid PVC: a flexible material that resembles a foam powder skirting board.
Plastic skirting boards: benefits
When carrying out repair work, the question often arises: how to fix a plastic baseboard to the floor? This element occupies a leading position in the building materials market. Buyers prefer plastic cases, because they have a lot of advantages.
Here are just a few of them:
- lightness and flexibility;
- installation can be carried out in any convenient way;
- pretreatment is not required;
- have a long service life;
- not afraid of ultraviolet and water;
- not subject to decay;
- easy to install;
- do not require special care;
- can have any color design and various shapes.
What parts are needed for installation?
We have listed all the advantages that floor plastic skirting boards have. How to fix this element? Manufacturers sell a huge number of components for reliable installation. These are various connectors, and corners, and stubs. They are easy to pick up depending on the size and color of the baseboard.
Accessories
How to fix skirting boards to the floor? For ease of installation, manufacturers produce a huge number of components. To beautifully arrange the joints between the skirting boards in a perpendicular position, it is necessary to use corners. Connectors are suitable for a harmonious joining of two levels. To close the edges of the plinth upon completion of installation, use special plugs. When buying, it is important to consider what type of item you need. So, for example, stubs can be right or left, and corners can be internal or external. Accessories are bought separately from the baseboard itself.
We calculate the amount of material
Now that you know how to fix the baseboard, you can begin to calculate the required amount of material. To do this, a number of measurements are required. The perimeter of the room is calculated excluding doors. This value must be divided by the length of one skirting board. As a result, you get the right amount of elements. It is worth considering that the baseboard is bought with a margin of half a meter at least. You can also calculate how many corners and stubs you need. To get the number of fasteners, it is necessary to divide the perimeter of the room by 50 cm. Dowels and screws are also better to purchase with a margin.
Fixation tools
How to fix plastic skirting boards to various surfaces? For this purpose, you will need a simple set of tools: a drill or puncher, screwdriver, tape measure, marker, hacksaw, awl and miter box. The process begins with the necessary measurements. On the baseboard, bastings are made for future slicing. In accordance with the measurements taken, elements are prepared. To begin installation work, the protective film must be removed from the baseboard. As a result, a place will open for the installation of self-tapping screws. A piece of skirting must be attached to the attachment point. After that, the installation of the inner corners. When all these operations are completed, you can start drilling holes for screws or dowels. Fasteners are installed in the holes obtained. The next baseboard element is inserted into the previously attached corner. Further installation is carried out. When the mounting work is completed, you can lay the wires in the cable channels, and then close them with decorative caps.
Ceiling plinth
How to fix the ceiling plinth? The installation principle here will be approximately the same. Most often, an adhesive method is used to fasten such an element. In addition to rigid ceiling skirting boards, there are also flexible designs that allow you to create complex shapes.
Finally
In this review, we figured out how to fix plastic floor skirtings, examined the main varieties of this element and installation methods. To successfully carry out work on fixing this product, it is enough to simply follow the recommendations presented in the article.