Are Skirting Boards Suitable For Bathrooms?

When decorating or renovating a bathroom, you need to pay attention to the small details along the way. One major area to consider is the skirting boards. People often wonder whether skirting boards are even suitable for bathrooms. You may be wondering what measures can be taken to extend the life of your skirting boards, or if they even have a place in the bathroom! Well, we firmly believe they have a place and here we’ll answer all of your moisture-related questions.

Can MDF Skirting Boards Be Used In Bathrooms?

One of the most common concerns people have is whether or not skirting boards can be used in the bathroom as they are constructed of MDF. After all, you might be unsure about whether a material like MDF can safely survive such wet and hot conditions. It’s a fair concern, but many MDF skirting boards are actually made moisture-resistant – This is absolutely the case for all skirting boards available at My Skirting Boards. The only caveat is that you shouldn’t use them in areas prone to flooding or constant dampness.

What Happens When Moisture Affects Skirting Boards?

If you find that moisture has entered your skirting boards, generally they will become swollen – meaning they’re probably ruined for good. Due to the nature of MDF, skirting boards that swell with moisture will break apart very easily, as the wood will have become soft. Clearly, that’s something to avoid.

What Is The Difference Between Moisture-Resistant And Waterproof?

You’ll hear the terms ‘waterproof’ and ‘moisture-resistant’ being discussed when shopping for skirting boards, the truth is that they are not quite the same and It’s good to know the difference. Generally, moisture-resistance offers a slightly lower level of protection against water and implies that it is difficult for water to penetrate. Waterproof, however, means that no water will get in at all. When buying skirting boards from us, consider opting for primed skirting boards at the checkout for an extra layer of defence against moisture.

How Can You Add Another Layer Of Protection?

If you’re wondering how to add extra protection to skirting boards in rooms with high levels of moisture, look no further. One of the best ways to protect your skirting boards is to use a good quality poly-filler, creating a seal between the floor and the bottom edge of the skirting. Using this method, you can ensure that the skirting board isn’t exposed to the moist room, helping the skirting board maintain its shape for longer. Check out this video which easily explains how you can help protect your skirting boards from moisture damage.

Where Else Should I Use Moisture-Resistant Skirting Boards?

Moisture-resistant skirting boards aren’t only useful in bathrooms but can be extremely useful all over the house, especially if your house is prone to damp. Rooms with hardwood or tiled floors will also benefit from having moisture-resistant skirting boards. If you like having a clean house and tend to mop floors often, moisture-resistant skirting boards, combined with the filler technique, will prevent them from warping so easily over time.

Is There an Alternative to MDF Skirting Boards?

Yes! One alternative to MDF skirting boards would be plastic skirting boards, However, you’ll find that plastic skirting boards offer very little variation in design, and are generally better suited for public space such as hospitals with heavy traffic. Fitting plastic skirting boards can also prove to be difficult as it’s much harder to achieve good looking corners.
Finally, plastic skirting boards are often more expensive than MDF skirting boards.

Summary

Moisture-resistant skirting boards offer a sufficient level of protection against the moisture levels you’d expect to find in a bathroom. Furthermore, choosing primed skirting boards and using a poly-filler to seal the floor to the outer layer of the skirting boards will ensure that no moisture can penetrate the skirting and cause it to swell.

If you would like advice on skirting boards, please feel free to contact myskirtingboards.co.uk either by calling 0333 366 0082 or emailing sales@myskirtingboards.co.uk.

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