April 18, 2024

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Everything you Need to Know about Skirting Tiles

Adding skirting tiles along a wall provides the finishing touch to a floor-tiling project. They are the perfect way to create a seamless junction between walls and floors. Not only will they protect the walls from scuffs and bumps with furniture, mops and vacuum cleaners but the tiles look good as well.

In this article, we explore the use of skirting tiles as a clean and effective solution for creating a seamless transition between wall and floor tiles. We discuss various styles of skirting tiles for different types of tiled flooring.

We will also provide you with guidance on how to match different skirting tiles with different floorings. Sometimes a contrasting skirting tile helps to highlight a beautifully tiled floor. While alternatively, a matching skirting tile might be a better choice. We will consider the type of room and the different challenges facing the flooring material which influence your choice of skirting tile.

Living room with wood skirting boards matching the blue wall colour

 

Skirting: A Decorative and Protective Wall Treatment

For a timber floor, we would normally add a skirting board made from a matching timber along the perimeter wall.

The top end of the contemporary skirting board is usually finished with a half-rounded profile as an embellishment. However, in older homes, the top profile is normally more sculpted with elaborate curves, rebates and rounded edges.

We are going to focus more on porcelain and ceramic skirting tiles through this article. They fulfil exactly the same function as timber skirting boards but look and perform differently from timber.

 

What are Skirting Tiles?

Floor tiles and skirting tiles are not the same thing. The tiles employed for skirting are generally 9 to 12 cm in height, and the width varies depending on the floor tile. The shape of the skirting tile is normally very simple, rectangular in section with a subtle bevel on the top. There are exceptions however for special situations like wet rooms, and highly decorative floors.

Normally skirting board tiles are sold in lengths that match the floor tile dimension. For instance, a 120×120 format will have a corresponding 9×120 cm skirting, while an 80×80 format has a 9×80 cm skirting tile, and so on.

 

Bedroom with natural wood skirting tiles

 

A Guide to Different Styles of Skirting Tiles & Skirting Boards

We can categorise the different choices of skirting tiles according to materials and styles. The optimum choice will depend on the visual effect that you are trying to achieve and the function of the room. Typically, the most popular materials for skirting tiles include the following:

1. Ceramic: hard-wearing and available in a wide range of designs and colours which helps to find a perfect match for the flooring. Ceramic is easy to clean and resistant to moisture making it ideal for humid areas of the home.

2. Natural stone: marble, travertine, slate or granite provide the ultimate in luxurious detailing. Natural stone adds a timeless look that makes an effortless transition from stone floors to surrounding walls.

3. Wood: Offering a natural aesthetic, wood skirting boards bring warmth to any space. Available in various types such as oak or walnut, wood skirting boards can be stained or painted to match or contrast with the flooring.

4. PVC: combining almost zero maintenance and total water resistance PVC is an affordable option for skirting tiles. The plastic appearance might not be to everybody’s taste however and the PVC skirting board can become yellowed and scuffed over time.

5. Metal: extruded metal profiles can look stylish and cutting-edge as skirting boards. Metal is ideal for the industrial loft aesthetic. As well as being robust metal is waterproof. Metal skirting boards come in a range of finishes.

6.  LED: when lighting technology combines with tradition the result is the LED skirting board. The effect can be striking and is also very practical for circulation zones within the home. The lighting washes across the floor and can be dimmed as required to achieve different ambiences.

 

Design Choices for Skirting Elements

When it comes to design options, we can categorise skirting tiles under three different categories that provide very different looks.

  • Skirting tiles: either a matching or contrasting design tiles that creates a seamless look between floor and wall.
  • Wall skirting tile: for areas where the wall tile finish reaches wainscot height the skirting tile can contrast with the floor and match the wall tile.
  • Coved tile: in high maintenance areas like wet rooms, the skirting tile can be coved at the end with a flat flange to line the perimeter. This provides total protection to the wall/floor junction.

 

Living room with white skirting board

 

Where to Use Skirting Tiles around the Home

Skirting tiles are suitable wherever there’s a tiled floor. Nowadays, we are waking up to the advantages of tiled flooring in rooms like the bedroom and living room. The details matter in design, adding a contemporary and clean-cut edge detail around a room perimeter looks modern and stylish. It will work in different ways in almost every room around the home.

#01     Bathroom Skirting Board: Easy Maintenance & Good Looks

Bathrooms are one of the most important rooms to install skirting tiles in. They require regular cleaning involving rigorous mopping and sweeping, which can damage the walls if not protected.

Skirting bathroom tiles should match or complement the floor tiles. In fact, using the same floor tiles design as skirting tiles creates a seamless and elegant look that is easy to clean.

#02     Kitchen Skirting Board: Protecting Walls in Style

Kitchens are another important room in the home that requires skirting boards. The humid conditions and the need for cleanliness make it essential to install high-skirting tiles that can protect the walls from damage. Used together with wall tiles, skirting tiles do not necessarily have to protrude, creating a sleek and modern look.

#03     Stylish Bedrooms: Continuous Perimeter Skirting Tiles

Anything that creates a clutter-free and visually calming aesthetic in the bedroom is a bonus. Skirting tiles are the ideal solution to finish a tiled floor with underfloor heating. Tiles in the bedroom are easy to maintain and more hygienic than other finishes.

#04     Creating a Customised Living Room

Wall tiles and floor tiles are trending in living room interior design right now. Whether your preference is stone effect flooring, timber effect or other matching skirting tiles are the finishing touch. Combine with a feature wall or chimney breast to create the ultimate stylish enclave.

#05     Hard Wearing Entrance Hall Flooring

Nowhere is more important in the home than the entrance for making a good impression. Yet, nowhere in the home gets more foot traffic and abuse than hallway floors and walls. Skirting tiles will take as much abuse from scuffs, cleaning and anything else you can throw at them. They will always come up looking good and pristine.

 

Black ceramic skirting tiles in a living room by Porcelanosa

 

Exploring Different Colours for Skirting Boards

Skirting boards are an essential element of any room’s decor, providing a finishing touch to the walls and floors. Choosing the right colour for skirting boards can make a big difference in the overall look and feel of a space. In this text, we will explore four different colours and finishes for skirting boards: white, metal, black and wood. Each colour has its unique characteristics and benefits, so read on to discover which option is the best fit for your home.

#01     White Skirting Tiles: A Timeless and Elegant Choice

White skirting tiles are a timeless and elegant choice that can add texture and interest to any room. If the skirting tile has a profile with curves or rounded edges, then white is an excellent choice as the colour highlights the selected profile.

#02     Metal Skirting Tiles: A Practical and Stylish Option

Matt metal skirting boards are a practical and stylish option that can create a sleek and modern look. Available in stainless steel and aluminium, they do not show dirt like other colours, making them an excellent choice for high-traffic areas. For a more dramatic effect, consider using a darker shade of grey for your floor or wall tiles.

#03     Black Skirting Tiles: Classic and Timeless

Black skirting tiles are a classic and timeless choice that can add a touch of sophistication to any room. They create a striking contrast with lighter-coloured flooring or black-and-white chessboard flooring for optimum effect. Whether you prefer a sleek modern look or a more traditional style, black skirting boards are an excellent choice. Grey skirting boards are a variation on black, with a more contemporary but equally impacting aesthetic.

#04     Wood Effect Skirting: Warmth and Comfort

Wood effect skirting tiles like oak skirting boards are a popular option right now. The warmth and beauty of wood is timeless. Similar to timber effect floor tiles, the advantage of skirting tiles is easy maintenance. Here are three different wood effect colours and finishes to consider:

  • Light Oak: Light oak is a popular choice for those who want a more traditional look. It has a warm, honey-toned finish that works well with neutral and earthy colour schemes.
  • Walnut: Walnut is a rich, dark wood that adds a touch of luxury and sophistication to any room. It works particularly well with lighter-coloured walls and flooring, creating a striking contrast.
  • Grey Wash: Grey-wash wood effect skirting boards are a modern and contemporary option that works well with a range of interior design styles. The subtle grey tone adds a touch of texture and interest to your walls and floors, without overpowering the space.

No matter which wood effect colour and finish you choose, wood effect skirting boards are an excellent way to add warmth and character to any room.

 

Living room wall with stone skirting board

 

Skirting Tiles – A Practical and Stylish Solution

To sum up, skirting tiles are an excellent choice for protecting walls from damage and adding an elegant finishing touch to any room. They come in various styles and colours, making it easy to find the perfect match for your floor and wall tiles. Whether you prefer a classic or modern look, skirting tiles offer a practical and stylish solution that will enhance the aesthetic appeal of your home.

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