1. Plastic baseboards
The most popular type of baseboard. Made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is one of the most durable materials in use. The material can be toxic, burns, but at the same time withstands temperature fluctuations and humidity, which allows you to install such skirting boards in both living rooms and bathrooms.
Plastic skirting board is the most affordable option in terms of price.
A distinctive feature of plastic skirting boards is the presence of internal channels (in some models), through which you can conduct wires and cables to any point of the apartment - if you suddenly forgot to “shtrobyte” wires into the walls.
The main plus of such PVC skirting board is the price, they are the most budgetary, but at the same time are produced in a mass of colors and textures.
Also with the help of plastic skirting board you can “hide” some irregularities on the walls - this is important if you prefer a light cosmetic repair, just to be clean (to each his own).
However, the use of plastic with a texture “under the tree” can greatly “cheapen” the interior, even if the floor is parquet or laminate, plastic is significantly different in appearance from wood.
2. Wood
Wooden baseboards have changed significantly since the times of the Soviet Union. Now wood no longer looks yellow and does not shine with the lacquer. Now on the market you can find skirting boards made of matte wood, light-colored wood - oak, beech and aspen, mahogany.
Skirting boards made of solid wood have the best external qualities, they are made of solid wood, strong and durable.
Solid wood baseboards.
It is best to buy skirting boards from the same place as the flooring - manufacturers of parquet flooring make skirting boards too. So you will not make a mistake with the choice of color and shade of wood.
Minuses of baseboards made of wood:
Do not withstand humidity (afraid of water, swell, lose their appearance), starting to rot, and are quite expensive.
3. Duropolymer
- is a composite polymer made under pressure, the properties of this material are similar to polyurethane. Duropolymer has a very high density, which makes it virtually invulnerable to impact.
Skirting board made of duropolymer.
It is also not afraid of humidity and temperature fluctuations, a in the design, as well as plastic skirting boards, there is a cable channel. It can be painted with any decorative paint, there are flexible models, and the material itself is quite environmentally friendly. A significant disadvantage today is the high cost.
4. MDF
Such skirting boards are mainly installed if the floor is laminate or linoleum. They are made by pressing wood fibers and binding resins. MDF has medium strength properties
Skirting boards made of MDF. There are options for coloring, there are ready-made, with texture.
Such plinths can be painted in the desired color, and this is an undoubted plus.
The most significant disadvantage is the small strength, and with improper installation techniques, the skirting board crumbles and cracks.
5. Aluminum baseboards
They are one of the most durable - aluminum is resistant to both humidity and temperature fluctuations. However, over time, an oxide film may form on the surface as a result of interaction between the metal and air oxygen.
This problem is solved by pre-anodizing, which not only strengthens the metal and protects it from oxygen oxidation, but also gives it a higher gloss.
Aluminum baseboard in the interior.
6. Cork
Cork skirting boards are mainly used for floors made of cork, as it is logical that they have a similar appearance. Cork is a rather soft material, which makes it possible to make very flexible skirting boards from it.
Cork is also one of the most environmentally friendly materials, which is made only from cork and natural resins, unlike MDF, for example.
Cork baseboards, like flooring, are very porous.
But cork, as we know, is a highly porous material, and it is also natural - extremely prone to rotting. To prevent this process, it is necessary to treat cork with special compositions that increase the final cost of baseboards.
7. Ceramic skirting board
Tile baseboards are ceramic or porcelain stoneware. They have absolute moisture resistance, fire and heat resistant, resistant to ultraviolet rays - do not fade in the sun.
Ceramic skirting board is quite fragile, and you need to be extremely careful during transportation and installation.
However, we all know how many shards a porcelain cup or mom's favorite vase explodes into - it's the same with these baseboards. Materials are incredibly fragile, crack on impact, forming chips, require very careful handling during installation.
It is also worth noting the high cost of such skirting boards.
An alternative to ceramic skirting board - to make a skirting board from the existing tiles. In this case, the top edge will, of course, not factory, but everything is very practical. This method is often used in public places, it is durable, easy to clean and relatively inexpensive.
Skirting from existing tiles is very practical, durable, but not rounded walls or columns. Here only aluminum baseboard will help.
The modern market offers a wide range of skirting boards, different in material, cost and appearance, and of course it is important to take into account the purpose of the room, budget, flooring material and style of your interior.
