Best Paint for Skirting Boards

If your baseboards have seen better days, a quick coat of paint will do wonders for the appearance of the space. The finest skirting board paints will be long-lasting and resilient, protecting the boards from everyday wear and tear. Although they aren’t the focus of attention, you should nevertheless, give your house’s inner walls a little love and care.

We have selected the finest oil and water-based paints in satin, gloss, matte, and stained finishes appropriate for all skirting boards to assist you in making your decision. Before we look at the list, you should determine what finish you want and if you want oil or water-based paint. Learn more about it with the help of our guide.

What are the key distinctions between oil and water-based paints?

Many people believe that oil-based paint is more long-lasting than water-based paint. However, it takes longer to dry and often has a stronger odour that sticks around afterwards. Its ability to retain its lustre is, nevertheless, a notable plus. It’s also important to remember to clean your brushes with a product containing spirit after you’re done painting.

Water-based gloss paint used to have a reputation for not fading as much as oil-based paint, but this is less of an issue. Water-based paint dries rapidly and is usually less impactful than oil-based paint. After use, wash the brushes in warm, soapy water.

What kinds of paint sheens are available?

The most common finish is gloss, which is frequently associated with oil-based paints but can also be seen in water-based paint.

The satin or satinwood finish is popular since it is understated and lacks sheen. Satin is an intermediate sheen between glossy and matte. This sheen of paint goes by many names, including semi-gloss and satinwood. Both oil-based and water-based versions are commercially available.

You don’t have to stick to white if you choose an eggshell or matte finish; more and more colours are joining the trend. You may get them in a wide range of hues to choose one that works with your decor.

Finally, the wood stain paint will maintain the skirting boards’ original wood appearance.

7 Best Paints for Skirting Boards:

Rust-Oleum Universal Oil-based Wood and Metal Paint

You will find Rust-Oleum Universal a better paint. It’s suitable for indoor and outdoor usage and comes in a high-gloss oil formula for use on wood and metal. The fact that it doubles as a primer and paints helps save even more time. This paint is so good that only one or two applications are needed to give freshly installed, unpainted skirting a professional look.

However, this paint will prevent rust on metal and is thus optional for your timber skirting. It is versatile enough to work on a wide range of surfaces, including ceramics, metals, plastics, and more.

Therefore, this paint is essential for all the petty painting tasks that crop up around the house and yard. You can get this oil-based paint in a wide variety of gorgeous hues and choose between a satin finish and a high gloss sheen.

Ronseal Water-Based Gloss Paint One Coat

Skirting board paint doesn’t have to be expensive to be good. As a water-based gloss with excellent coverage, Ronseal’s pure, dazzling white glass paint for wood is one of the more attractive options on our list. Additionally, it dries rapidly and has a little scent.

This single-coat paint comes in a matte, semigloss, and gloss finish. However, the gloss won out due to the comprehensive nature of the list. If you’re looking for a more affordable alternative to high-end eggshell paint, consider the satin finish instead; it’s just as beautiful.

The paints produced by Ronseal are among the best on the market, and they won’t break the bank. For instance, a 2.5-litre container of this paint covers 6 square meters and comes with a 10-year warranty against fading. Skirting over carpets may be painted in one to two hours with this paint, and its non-drip formula makes that possible.

All the woodwork in your house, including doors and trim, can be painted with this paint, and it will look great in no time.

Johnstone’s Satin Metal & Wood Enamel

If you’re looking for a water-based alternative to the aforementioned paint, go no further than this offering from Johnstone’s.

When it comes to paints made in the United Kingdom, Johnstone is among the top choices. It dries rapidly (two hours between applications) and produces an excellent finish with no effort. Because it is a water-based satin paint for wood and metal, cleanup is a breeze. Low odour makes it ideal for indoor use, even in tiny spaces.

Our selection committee, however, was impressed by the wide variety of colours available in this paint. Of course, there’s the classic satin white, but there are plenty of alternative hues.

The colour seashell is quite well-liked nowadays. In the correct setting, Urban Sky (a deep grey) might be a striking contrast. Only some skirting boards can compete with the quality of this one at a price. If you have a paint sprayer, you may quickly and easily paint your skirting with this paint.

Dulux Once Satinwood Paint for Wood and Metal

Dulux Orice is a one-coat, water-based paint that is not only non-yellowing but also wipeable, making it ideal for high-traffic parts of the home or for households with small children who can’t manage to keep their crayons away from the skirting.

A lot of hottie owners are singing its praises since it provides such a good covering after just one coat. Additionally, this Dulux paint is water-based, so cleaning up after a single application is simple.

The only significant drawback to this paint (apart from costing a few pounds more than certain water-based skirting paints) is that it takes 16 hours to cure. Many people choose this paint because it looks great after just one application and dries in about 16 hours.

Also available from Dulux Once are a wide variety of white tones. This paint is quite adaptable, so you can use it to make your house seem just how you want it to.

Dulux Fast-Drying Glossy Paint for Wood and Metal

Although it is one of the finest paints for skirting boards, Dulux Quick Dry Gloss Paint has certain ingredients that could trigger an allergic response in some people. Wearing protective gear, such as gloves, is a must for any painting job.

The paint used here is water-based. The paint is thinner and doesn’t emit the intense poisonous fumes you would be used to from working with oil paint. You’ll need to take extra care while painting so that no drips form. A second coat may be required.

Taupe from Farrow & Ball

Farrow & Ball paints are the best options for designer, high-end, and environmentally responsible skirting paint. With over 150 options, you can choose the perfect tint to complement any room.

There is a tiny shine, 40%, so the surface is not matte. The drying time is just two hours, and a second coat may be applied after only four. It can be easily cleaned and has a little smell.

Crown Non Drip Satin Paint

This paint contains nearly no solvents (99%), making it safe for use in small areas and by those with sensitivities to paint fumes. It’s user-friendly, available in 24 colours, dries in an hour, and requires a six-hour wait time between coats.

Paint Your Skirting Boards Like a Pro

It’s not rocket science, but if you want a professional result while painting your skirting board, you should follow a few principles.

New skirting boards should be treated with a knotting solution and wood primer before being painted, even if you plan on using the finest paint for skirting boards.

We’ll get into the specifics of how to prep the surface if your skirting board is already painted or varnished a little.

Should You Start with Painting the Walls or the Baseboards?

You need to take a methodical approach to decorate if you want to do a decent job. We recommend beginning at the ceiling, working your way down to the walls, and finishing with the skirting boards and the window and door frames. At long last, you may begin painting the entranceway.

Just Pick the Right Shade:

Skirting boards look great when painted a brilliant white, which is why this colour is so popular. Darker colours, on the other hand, might help you achieve a more modern appearance.

Make Sure You’re Using the Proper Brush:

Even if brush may do the task at hand, it is recommended that you use a brush with synthetic bristles if you plan on painting with water-based paint.

Finishing the Sanding:

In addition to removing loose paint, sanding will provide a smooth surface for the fresh coat to adhere to. (The paint is less likely to chip in the future.)

Can Skirting Be Painted Without Sanding First?

You may skip sanding your skirting board, but doing so will save you the trouble of constantly painting it to make it seem smooth and well-covered.

Get Rid of the Grime:

Dust and peeling paint may be removed from the skirting board using a gentle brush. To further guarantee the surface is ready for painting, you may wash it down with soap and water.

Edge Tape:

Masking tape around the floor’s border ensures a professional look after painting the skirting boards with the finest paint. As a bonus, the paint won’t leak into the carpet, and you’ll get crisp, clear lines.

Priming and Painting:

The painting may begin after you have gathered your paint and equipment and prepared the skirting boards.

For the Skirting Boards, What Kind of Paint Do You Use?

Skirting boards may be painted with either gloss or satin paint, both of which are good options. Gloss paint has a reflective sheen and creates a weathered appearance; it is also very durable and fade-resistant.

Highly trafficked areas (like hallways) might benefit from a coat of glossy paint. The fact that gloss is so resilient makes it a favourite in households with small children.

Although it has many positive aspects, gloss also has some drawbacks. Spend some additional time sanding and priming the border boards before painting them.

Gloss paint tends to expose even the tiniest blemishes, so if you attempt to cut corners, you may not get the results you were hoping for. You should take your time and give it your all.

Paints that are water-based are preferable than oil- based if you’re dead bent on utilizing gloss.

It’s important to be careful of drips while painting with water-based paints, although the colour holds up nicely over time. Skirting boards painted with oil-based paint may eventually become yellow, necessitating a new coat of paint.

The contemporary look may be achieved with satin paint. which also works well with many other interior colour schemes. Satin (sometimes called satinwood) finishes are less reflective than high glosses and provide a more “solid” feeling cover. Maintenance is a breeze, and the colour stays put on satin.

Do you like satinwood or high gloss?

How you define “best paint for skirting boards” depends on your needs. Choose gloss if you need paint that lasts a long time without chipping and is willing to put in the additional effort required to apply it.

In contrast, satinwood may be finished quickly, but it will need to be repainted more often. Without leaving brush strokes, how do you paint skirting boards?

Brushes should be dipped into the paint until the paint reaches about midway up the bristles; if necessary, give the paint a swirl. Skirting board paint should be applied carefully in small pieces.

Brushing along the grain is essential for a smooth finish; to achieve this, finish each section of the board with a stroke that runs parallel to its length. Whatever paint you use, even our top pick for skirting boards holds.

Find Out If You Need A Second Coat Of Paint

These days, many paints claim they need one coat to perform the job, a claim that is often exaggerated. However, if you’re looking for absolute coverage, you may need to add another coat of paint.

Before applying a second layer, be sure the first one is dry. You should expect water-based paint to dry in about 16 hours and solvent-based paint to dry in about 24 hours.

Let the Tape Go, and Appreciate Your Work

The tape may be taken from the skateboard when it has dried completely. Stop what you’re doing and admire your finished product.

FAQs

How to Match Carpet and Skirting Boards while Painting? 

While it’s ideal to be able to lift the carpet and paint on the skateboards underneath, many painters find themselves unable to do so due to the carpet’s solid attachment to the floor. If this is the case, the carpet should be covered with masking tape and dust blankets before the sorting boards are painted.

This masking tape may be pushed slightly beneath the skirting board to hold the dust sheet in place. However, you should use caution. Since masking tape does not adhere well to the carpet, it may be peeled away from the wall. Even so, resist the urge to use sturdier tape; doing so might ruin your carpet.

If you start with the walls or the skirting boards, what should you do first?

Which would you prefer, haste, carelessness, caution, and a little delay? If you’re in a hurry, paint the walls first and skip masking the skirting boards. After that, you may cover up any messes along the skirting boards by painting them.

If you want to be extra cautious, paint the skirting boards before you paint the walls, allow them plenty of time to dry, and then mask off the skirting boards.

It works as well either way. Most do-it-yourselfers and experts may argue about this for hours without reaching a consensus, It’s entirely up to your own preferences and style of painting. The first, messier method consumes somewhat more paint but requires slightly less time overall. But in the end, each approach does the job satisfactorily.

With a hardwood floor, how should I paint the skirting boards?

Painting the skirting boards is a breeze with the wood flooring in place. You may fasten dust sheets with masking tape by tucking them into the space between the bottom of the skirting and the flooring.

You can get your masking right up to the skirting without covering it if there is no space between the flooring and the skirting. Dust sheets may then be fastened over the tape to shield the ficar from overspray while the skirting boards are painted.

How to paint new skirting boards?

Priming new skirting boards prior to painting is necessary. In addition, a knotting solution should be used for natural wood skirting boards. Although a primer and paint in one is an option, you’ll get the best results using separate priming and then your preferred skirting board paint.

How to remove gloss paint from skirting boards?

To restore your skirting boards to their original wood finish, you’ll need a paint remover to get rid of the several coats of gloss paint that have been applied over the years. This process might take a while if there are numerous coats of paint. Next, sand down the area. This is another task that, if done manually, might consume considerable time.

It is optional to undertake a thorough job of preparation when painting over gloss paint. The first step is to use sugar soap to thoroughly clean the baseboards in your home. The skirting boards must then be sanded. To make room for the new paint to adhere, you don’t have to remove the glow paint; you only have to rough up the surface. This approach is ideal for a wet application if you are using satin or matte paint on your skirting boards.

How to paint baseboards without getting paint on the wall as you work?

Allow me to introduce you to masking paper, a handy tool for any painter or decorator. Masking paper may not rescue the day as often as masking tape, but it does save the day at some time throughout each painting or decorating project.

You may get masking paper pre-applied with tape on one side. Use tiny bits of masking tape to secure it to the wall and use it to conceal the area above the skirting board. When doing masking chores, take your time. More effort into disguising will provide greater results.