25 Mar Beginner’s Guide to Pine Skirting
Pine skirting boards are skirting boards made with softwood and are a natural and cheaper alternative to more expensive harder wood. Pine skirting boards are typically raw and to be painted or stained after fitting.
Advantages of Pine Skirting
1. Affordable
Pine tends to be cheaper than hardwood skirting boards. Pine is a fast-growing, readily available softwood, so it is more economical to manufacture than slower-growing hardwoods.
2. Natural Appearance
Pine boasts a stunning, natural grain appearance with soft knots and warm colour that offers a snug, rustic, or traditional look that enhances any room.
3. Easy to Use
Pine is easy to cut, bend, and install. Pine can handle screws and nails without splitting. Pine skirting can readily be bought in pre-sawn and off-the-shelf sizes, which reduces the labour needed to install the skirting.
4. Porous Nature
Its porous structure soaks up adhesives, paint, and stains, and that leads to forming an even coat.
5. Versatile
Pine skirting boards can be installed in a range of styles or shapes and can be made to fit any interior design.
6. Dimensional Stability
Pine is also dimensionally stable, in the sense that it does not warp or shrink as much as some other woods.
Pine Skirting Disadvantages
1. Less Durable
Pine is softer than hardwoods and is more easily dented, scratched, and worn.
2. Probability of Knots and Flaws
Although knots add character to pine wood, they weaken it and create potential weak points, which will ultimately crack or break, reducing overall durability.
3. Porosity
Pine is water-absorbing and therefore more susceptible to swelling, shrinking, or warping if not sealed correctly.
Installation
Pine skirting can be installed relatively easily by following these four steps:
Step 1: Measure and Cut
- Measure the wall length where you are going to fit the skirting board.
- Mark and cut the pine skirting to length using a hand saw or a mitre saw for angled cutting, particularly corners.
Step 2: Add Adhesive (Optional for Added Support)
- Use a strong wood adhesive or grab adhesive on the rear of the skirting board in the event that you require extra adhesion to the wall.
- Press the board firmly against the wall, ensuring it’s level.
Step 3: Fix with Nails or Screws
- Fix the skirting board with nails or screws to the wall or floor.
- Drill pilot holes initially before screwing, in case screws are being used, to avoid wood splitting.
Step 4: Fill any gaps and Finish
- Fill nail holes or gaps between boards with wood filler.
- Sand the surface to create a smooth finish.
- Varnish, stain, or paint the skirting board according to preference.
Maintenance
Pine skirting boards may be lightly treated with borate-based preservatives to prevent insect damage, but this differs from full-pressure treatment. To maintain them, dust with a moist cloth, avoid soap and strong cleansers and apply natural oils or waxes to enhance the wood’s beauty.
Pine skirting boards are an affordable and functional choice for builders and homeowners. While not as durable as hardwoods, their ease of installation, versatility, and natural appeal make them a popular option. Properly maintained, pine skirting can add character to any room.
For further details, contact the Online Building team or buy your pine skirting online today!