Whether you’re undertaking an extensive home renovation project or simply want to give your home a unique, high quality finish one thing to not overlook is skirting boards. Many people think that skirting boards are simply there to protect the walls of their home. Whilst this is their primary function, aesthetically they are crucial for completing the look of a room. When it comes to shopping for skirting boards, many DIY stores still simply have the bog-standard designs that we are all used to seeing.
On the surface there is nothing wrong with these, they don’t offer anything out of the ordinary. However there are many reasons why these aren’t suitable for buildings, which is when bespoke skirting boards are essential – and still something that many homeowners don’t even realise exist.
Choosing The Right Skirting Board For Your Requirements
- When Standard Options Don’t Cut It – Whether you just want something unique or you’re dealing with a non-standard property, bespoke skirting boards are the perfect options
- Matching What You Need – Replicate original 19th-20th century joinery, pick your own style or simply preserve the history of the rooms in your home
- Material Choices – Go for MDF skirting boards or solid timber skirting boards, the choice is yours.
- Ask The Experts - Here at Harlow Bros we use precision moulding machinery and FSC certified timber. Speak to us about what you want to achieve and we’ll work with you to make it happen
When Off-the-Shelf Just Won't Do
Off-the-shelf skirting boards work perfectly well for standard, modern, predictable homes. However, if you have a period property, a character home or you’re looking at an architectural build the standard options often fall short. If you’re dealing with wall heights that are not standard, rooms that have an unusual shape or are going for a unique interior design theme then it can be easy to assume you have to compromise on the finishing touches, such as settling for bog-standard skirting boards. DIY shops might promise a range of stock to suit all needs but realistically their options are all very similar, and do not suit someone that is looking for something outside of the box.
Preserving Character
If you’re undertaking a property restoration then you might be hoping to restore everything as close to the original as possible. Standard retail ranges often don’t have options that allow you to repair or replace skirting boards with Victorian or Georgian interior design style – whereas bespoke options allow you to do exactly that.
Off-the-shelf skirting boards often have limited heights (120mm or 145mm), whereas bespoke options allow you much more freedom – which means that creating something that matches your room perfectly is made possible. When you’re looking at custom skirting boards you’re able to decide board height thickness and edge detail, meaning whatever the character of your home you’ll be able to finish it perfectly with the right skirting board for the room. For example, 19th and early-20th century skirting boards were often significantly taller than the skirting boards we have now (around 220mm-300mm compared to today’s offerings of 120mm to 145mm). This period of history also often saw complex, multi-tiered curve design. Harlow Bros uses custom tool-making to grind exact cutter heads; meaning no matter the height and thickness of your skirting board, we’ll be able to create exactly what you need.
Solid Wood vs. Engineered
The main choices of material between skirting boards comes down to timber or MDF. Both have their pros and cons. It comes down to the desired finish and your personal preference. MDF skirting boards are moisture-resistant meaning they offer a smooth finish that won’t warp or twist; even in rooms with high humidity such as the kitchen. Timber skirting boards (for example pine or oak) offer a natural grain which you can stain, oil or varnish - perfect for historical homes and areas of high traffic. Whether you choose solid timber or MDF, Harlow Bros uses sustainably sourced, FSC-certified materials so you can renovate with peace of mind
Exploring Custom Skirting Board Options
It is easy to overlook the importance of skirting boards because they are not something we consider every day. However, if you are undertaking a home renovation project you shouldn’t under estimate the importance of them when it comes to the finishes touches of a room. Not only that, but custom skirting boards can be designed to allow you to hide pipework or route cables out of sight behind the trim; creating a flawless finish.
In addition to hiding cables, bespoke machining lets you choose thicker timber (e.g., 22mm instead of standard 14mm–18mm), which easily covers wide expansion gaps left by new wood or tile flooring without needing extra scotia bead.
Bespoke skirting boards give you the freedom to create the perfect room – whether you have high ceilings, a grand room or something more minimalistic, the beauty of custom skirting boards is that the choice is yours. Don't forget that skirting boards meet door frames—ordering custom-matched architraves alongside your skirting ensures seamless thickness and profile transitions around every doorway.
FAQs - Find the Right Skirting Board
Can Harlow Bros replicate my existing original skirting board?
In short, yes. Simply get in touch with us and arrange for us to be able to see the existing skirting boards you have and our team will work with you to make that happen.
Is MDF or timber better for bespoke skirting boards?
It depends on your desired finish. Solid timber skirting boards (such as pine or oak) are best if you want to highlight natural wood grain with stains, oils, or varnishes. MDF skirting boards are knot-free, highly resistant to warping, and offer a smooth surface that is ideal for painted finishes.
Can custom skirting boards hide cables and pipes?
Yes. With bespoke manufacturing, rear channels or rebates can be machined into the back of your skirting boards. This allows you to route network cables, speaker wires, or pipework neatly out of sight behind the trim.