Do-it-yourself installation of an MDF skirting board: basic methods of fastening and procedure

Nowadays, people often in the process of repair forget about such an important interior detail as a baseboard. He gives the room a complete look. People can choose the material that suits the floor. A wide assortment of plastic and wood skirting boards is presented in construction stores. The most popular is the MDF baseboard, the installation of which is quite expensive. Many people try to install the product with their own hands. To do this, you need to know what kind of mounting methods are, and precisely follow the step-by-step instructions in the work.

Destination

Many do not give due importance to skirting boards. This part means a lot to the room. It is generally accepted that flooring should be framed by skirting boards. Previously, they were chosen to match the floors, now this trend is outdated. It is important to understand that the baseboard performs not only the function of dividing the wall and floor. The following functions can be distinguished:

1. In the past, the installation of MDF skirting was carried out with the goal of warming the floor. Builders always leave a small gap between the wood coating and the wall. It is needed when the wood floor expands due to heat. Through this gap, cold air begins to flow into the room. To stop the process of cooling the room, began to use skirting boards.
2. Do-it-yourself installation of an MDF skirting board is required to protect the flooring from various kinds of dust.
3. The baseboard is needed to skillfully hide the wires. For example, you can successfully mask a cable for a TV, an Internet wire.
4. The beautiful appearance of the product allows the use of skirting boards as a decorative element. Installation of a white MDF skirting board will add bright colors to the room.

Product Features and Options

Installation of MDF skirting board is quite painstaking work. You can choose your favorite option, taking into account the characteristics of the material.

It is believed that MDF is an improved version of fiberboard. It is known that the coating is a medium density slab. To obtain this material, manufacturers grind wood fibers to very fine particles. The abbreviated name was taken from the English abbreviation MDF.

Small particles of wood are heated, and then pressed. As a result, a natural adhesive composition appears, it is called lignin. He glues the resulting mass.

Manufacturers write that MDF is an environmentally friendly material. Some suppliers still add chemical resins that are harmful to human health. Therefore, it is worth taking products only from well-known manufacturers who have established themselves in the building materials market.

MDF skirting board is available as a smooth board. Part is decorated with ornament or relief. You can order a skirting board with a placket over the entire length. It will help hide the mounts or wires that run along the edge of the wall. There are laminated skirting options, as well as decorated with natural veneer. Some choose painted options. The plinth glued with veneer practically does not visually differ from the version made of natural wood.

Benefits

MDF skirting has several advantages over analogues:

1. The design is convenient to install. Installation work does not take much time. Even a novice master can cope with such work.
2. The product is ideally attached to the wall surface. It is tightly fixed without leaving cracks.
3. The baseboard looks neat, the interior becomes original.
4. MDF skirting boards can be installed in homes where humidity is high. It has good moisture resistance. But experts advise not to allow direct contact with water on the product, and if this happens, then immediately remove the water and dry the baseboard with a dry rag.
5. This version of the skirting board is quite flexible, it can even be installed on an uneven surface with bends.

What should be considered when installing the structure?

The product is brittle. It can be bent by hands, and also easy to break. When working, you need to be extremely careful. Many hire specialists to install items. The price for installing MDF skirting boards varies by region. The highest prices in Moscow and St. Petersburg. For example, the installation of an MDF skirting board in Moscow will cost an average of 220 rubles per square meter.

Installation options

Installation is carried out in three ways. To determine which installation method of the MDF skirting board is more suitable, you need to think about dismantling. For example, if the neighbors flood and you have to remove the flooring, then first of all you will have to remove the skirting boards.

Consider the installation options presented:

• Installation of MDF skirting boards on clips is quite simple, you just need to choose the right clips. They go strictly to certain types of skirting boards. Each clip should fit the mounting channel. It is located on the back of the baseboard. Typically, these items are sold in conjunction with MDF skirting. The advantage of this mounting option is that the fasteners are easy to remove and then put in its original place.
• Installation of MDF skirting boards on liquid nails is also a simple version. No special tools are required for this job. The only negative of this option is the dismantling of the skirting boards. This process will be difficult to implement.
• The easiest way is to install the strips on the glue.

Liquid nails can be used when the back of the product has a perfectly flat surface. If there is a need to remove the skirting boards, there is a high probability that they will be damaged. Returning them to their place is no longer possible. You need to be prepared to purchase new products.

• Some fasten MDF skirting boards to self-tapping screws. Each product is screwed to the wall. If there is a need for dismantling, it will be easy to carry out. To do this, you will need to spend a lot of time, but the baseboard can then be easily attached back. Some citizens, for reliability, fix skirting boards not only with self-tapping screws, but also put them on glue. In this case, the dismantling process is complicated. It will be difficult to return the baseboard to its original place.

What do you need to prepare for work?

In addition to screws, glue and a hammer, additional elements will also be required. They connect some details among themselves. Such elements will be required for corners, as well as for splicing the plinth in a straight section.

For the inner corner, fit the details of the same color as the baseboard itself. They should have straight ends. You will also need connecting corners, which have a non-standard size and shape.

To connect the external elements of the plinth, you will need external corners, as well as columns. They have special grooves for the edges. This option is used if the plinth in shape resembles an even board. If the surface is uneven, then the columns will inaccurately protrude on the surface above the baseboard. Some craftsmen take docking elements that are sold specifically for PVC products.

How to dock skirting boards without special corners with your own hands?

If you practice, then the elements can be docked without the use of corners. On the edge of each skirting board, you need to make serifs, the cut is done at an angle of 45 degrees. This work needs to be taken if the person is sure that all corners of the house are perfectly straight. Otherwise there will be obvious defects.

When the parts are fitted, it is necessary to spread the joints with glue or “liquid nails”. If the skirting boards are joined along a straight wall, then you need to take double clips.

How to calculate the required amount of material for self-installation?

Before purchasing the necessary work, you need to calculate how many bars are required. It is important to know how long the baseboard is required. It is worthwhile to immediately buy additional parts and fittings. If the room is of non-standard shape, then the number of elements will increase.

To understand how long a skirting board is needed, you need:

1. Measure the length of the walls in the room, given the protrusions. Information on the thickness of the walls and the doorway will be required.
2. If there is a room plan, then this will simplify the task. If it is not, then it is better to draw. The drawing is convenient to put down the measurement results.
3. It is necessary to calculate the total length of the walls, take the width of the doorway from the obtained value. The result is the total length of the baseboard. Better to take with a margin. Usually add 10-15% of the total.
4. When the length is known, then it is divided by 2500, the quantity is obtained. It is believed that a value of 2500 millimeters is a standard for the length of the strap.
5. Given all the calculations, you can calculate the number of joints.
6. It is important to calculate from the drawing all the internal and external corners, as well as how many connecting elements will be needed.

Useful Tips

Before installation, it is recommended to cut the slats in advance. All trash in the room should be removed. If glue is used, then only work in a ventilated area.