Choosing the right paint for your skirting boards can transform your space from drab to fab. But with so many choices available, how do you decide what's the best paint for your skirting boards? We're here to guide you and help you choose the right paint to use for your desired finish.
Whether you're a fan of the square edges of more modern skirting boards or your prefer the classic Victorian profile that is found in more traditional skirting, the right paint can accentuate their unique features and give you longevity and style.
From the industry-standard white primed finish that offers flexibility in colouring, oil based durable paint that will last, the paint you select can make all the difference.
Whether you're sprucing up a small room or a large interior, we'll help you find the best paint options for your skirting boards.
Trade Paint Or Retail Paint?
The first question many people ask is whether they need trade paint or standard retail paint for their skirting. In many of the national DIY stores you will tend to find a retail version and a trade version of their paints.
Typically, these paints are designed to meet the needs of the general consumer (retail paint) and the professional painter (trade paint). This means that whereas retail paint will be cheaper, it will often be less durable and require more coats. Compare this to trade paint and you will find it tends to apply with less coats and provide consistently best results.
If you are a professional then your time is money, so it is often cost effective to go for a trade paint. If you are working on a home project as a DIY-er then you could still be better off opting for the trade quality paint as it will still provide the best finish and will save you time - it really depends on how you value your time vs the money saved.
There are some other considerations (such as choosing satin or eggshell) when choosing the best skirting board paint and we will cover those shortly, first though, let's take a look at what we think are you best options.
The Best Paints For Skirting Boards
Let's take a look at the best paints to use for skirting boards:
Best Overall: Dulux Trade Diamond Satinwood
Undoubtedly standing out amongst the many, Dulux Diamond Satinwood blends durability with attractiveness. This water-based paint emanates with non-yellowing properties and is ideal for high-traffic areas thanks to its durability.
It offers a professional satin finish and can be mixed in any colour. There is also no need to undercoat when using Dulux Diamond Satinwood which makes it one of the quickest to apply.
The above benefits do come at a cost though, as it is one of the more expensive paints available and only offers 12m2 coverage per litre.
Crown Trade Fast Flow QD Eggshell
For those looking for a modern finish from a water based paint you could do far worse than looking to Crown Trade Fast Flow QD Eggshell. It is almost a hybrid paint as it offers the benefits of water based paint (as it is water based) - in that it has a low odour and fast drying time - but it also has the benefits of a gloss - in that it has the look of an oil based paint in it is finish.
This paint is specifically designed for wooden interiors and as such it works perfectly on pine, oak and MDF skirting boards.
It can be mixed in to any colour you like and is available in white as standard. The coverage and value for money is a little better than the Dulux Trade Diamond Satinwood at 15m2 coverage and so if you want the gloss finish with a water based paint this could be a top choice for you.
Johnstone's Trade - Aqua Guard Satin
It's probably no surprise that we have gone with another trade paint in our top three, and Johnstone's Trade Aqua Guard Satin finish paint is right up there with the best.
It's a resilient satin water-based paint and it's key features involve protection against scratches and wear for longevity, the ability to mix any colours and it also has a low VOC, so also getting points for its environmental friendliness.
Like the first two on our list, it has a good flow and offers decent value for money with a coverage of 14m2
All in all, this is another paint that is perfect for your interior trims.
Leyland Acrylic Eggshell
For anyone preferring a subtle, contemporary sheen, the Leyland Acrylic Eggshell stands out. This excellent choice helps disguise imperfections, enhancing the overall look and feel of the space, it has a low VOC content, is water based and can have additional coats re-applied within 3-4 hours.
It is another trade paint, is designed for interior use and comes in white and magnolia as standard - although can be tinted for any colour match.
The biggest downside to this paint is its coverage at just 12m2 but it does offer a great finish and for anyone looking for an acrylic eggshell finish, this is a top option.
Farrow & Ball Estate Eggshell Paint
Closing our list is another eggshell paint - the Farrow & Ball Estate Eggshell Paint. This one is well known for its durability and smooth finish which makes it an ideal choice for skirting boards. Plus, it's eco-friendly with low VOC levels, striking a balance between aesthetics and sustainability.
It has a lovely satin finish that is both washable and wipeable - so anyone with kids or pets will find this paint handy when it comes to keeping your skirting looking good for the long term.
It's touch dry in around 2 hours with second coat able to be applied after 4 hours. The coverage here is 12m2 and it is likely you will need two coats of this to obtain a perfect durable finish.
Choosing The Best Paint For Use On Skirting Boards
Let's now take a look at some of the more subtle differences between the paints to ensure your paint is suitable for your needs.
Types of Paint
We would usually advise to look at Water-Based Paints when perusing the skirting board painting aisle. Revered for their quick-drying and low-odour formulation, these paints make application and clean up so much easier.
The alternative is Oil-Based Paints. These tend to have much higher levels of durability and a high level finish but they can be tricky to use and clean up after painting. It's also worth noting that water based paint technology is such that it can achieve an almost identical look to oil based paint.
Finishes
Gloss finishes, with their light-reflecting charm, accentuate detailed architecture. But, their strength may also be their weakness, as they readily show up imperfections - so unless you have skirting board that has been installed 100% perfectly and has not dents or scrapes then you may be better suited to a satin finish.
Choose eggshell finishes for a tinge of nuanced sheen. Their trump card lies in their ability to cloak imperfections, transforming spaces with modern aesthetics into epitomes of soft sophistication.
The more common approach now is to lean towards Satin finishes. It offers the perfect equilibrium between gloss and eggshell, shows resilience and holds up well under wear and tear, making them a fit companion for modern interiors.
Choosing The Right Colours For Your Skirting Board
Once you have settled on the type of paint and the desired finish, selecting the perfect colour becomes part of the process. Skirting boards can often go overlooked, but the right colour can significantly transform the aesthetics of a room. Let's take a look at what you might want to consider here:
- Consider Room Size and Ceiling Height: Light colours, such as white or cream, tend to make a room appear larger and more expansive. These shades work particularly well with a skirting board height of 57mm or 68mm, especially in low-ceiling rooms. Contrarily, bold, dark colours add a sense of depth and character, more suitable for larger interior spaces.
- Match the Wall or Floor Colour: Skirting boards painted the same colour as the wall create visual continuity and give an illusion of more space. On the other hand, matching the skirting board colour with the floor establishes an elegant blend.
- Create Contrast: For a visually appealing and standout feature, contrast the colour of your skirting board with your walls. Opt for a light wall with dark skirting, or vice versa. For instance, an American Black Walnut skirting board would make a striking contrast against light walls, adding character and presence particularly suited for countryside homes.
- Reflecting Style Preferences: If your interiors lean towards modern and contemporary aesthetics, consider streamlined skirting board profiles like Square & Grooved, typically showcased in white or light shades to accentuate simplicity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Let's take a look at some common skirting board paint questions...
Is There a Specific Skirting Board Paint?
Regrettably, there isn't a bespoke skirting board paint on the market. We suggest using paints that ensure hard-wearing finishes, as these areas attract high traffic and retail knocks, scuffs, and scratches. Dulux Diamond Satinwood offers durability and resistance, providing decades of flawless finishes, while Johnstone's Professional Gloss is an alternative for those seeking a high-shine result.
Does This Apply to Other Woodwork Around The Home?
Certainly, these principles extend to other interior woodwork such as door frames, architraves, and window boards. The paint finish and colour remain consistent throughout, reinforcing the home's overall decor scheme and enhancing its visual appeal. For instance, a top choice like Dulux Diamond Satinwood delivers impressive performance on various wooden surfaces.
What Should You Paint Skirting Boards With?
The choice of paint tools for skirting boards boils down to shape. A glance at a Lambs Tongue Profile or a Victorian Profile will show you that a brush or spray is the best option. Brushes and applicators suitable for the profile and with the ability to offer a smooth, uniform finish are key to getting the perfect finish.
Conclusion
Hopefully that's helped you in selecting the right paint for your skirting and if you are still struggling, remember that here at Metres Direct we can pre-paint your skirting boards for you using our state of the art machinery.
For skirting boards and door architrave, we can prime and satin finish so all you need to do is install.
