Domakihub How to Install Skirting Boards: A Step-by-Step Guide
Fit clean, professional-looking skirting boards in any room without hiring a tradesperson.
Reviewed by Domakihub home & decor pros · 2026-06-23 · 5 min read
Skirting boards give any room a finished, polished look while protecting the base of your walls from scuffs and moisture — a small detail that matters whether you own a permanent home, a holiday villa, or a serviced apartment in Greece. The video above walks through the full process visually; the steps below break down exactly what to do, from measuring the room to painting the final joint. With basic tools and a free afternoon, this is one of the most satisfying DIY upgrades you can make.
Why Skirting Boards Are Worth the Effort
Skirting boards serve a double purpose: they seal the gap between the floor and the wall — preventing dust, insects, and moisture from accumulating in corners — and they give the room a sense of craftsmanship that bare plaster walls simply cannot match. In holiday rentals and hotels especially, guests notice the quality of finishes, and well-fitted skirtings signal a cared-for property.
In Greece, tile and stone floors are common, and the slight unevenness of rendered masonry walls means gaps at the floor line are almost inevitable. Skirting boards cover those imperfections neatly, saving you from constant touch-up plastering.
Tools and Materials You Will Need
Before you start, gather everything: a tape measure, pencil, mitre saw or mitre box and handsaw, coping saw (for internal corners), adhesive construction sealant or No More Nails-style adhesive, a nail gun or finishing nails and a hammer, wood filler, fine sandpaper, painter's tape, and your chosen primer and paint. You will also need the skirting boards themselves — MDF is the most cost-effective and easiest to cut; solid wood is harder but more durable in humid coastal environments.
Buy roughly 10–15 % more board than your measured total length to account for waste on mitre cuts. In Greece, large DIY chains and timber yards in every major city stock a wide range of profiles.
How to Install Skirting Boards in 5 Steps
- 1
Measure and plan every wall
Work around the room systematically, measuring each wall length at floor level. Sketch a simple plan noting which corners are internal (the most common type) and which are external. Mark where door architraves meet the wall, since your skirting will butt up against them. Total all lengths, add 10–15 % for mitre waste, then cut your board list before going to the timber yard.
- 2
Cut the angles — mitre external corners, cope internal ones
For external corners (wall edges that stick out into a room), cut each board at a 45-degree mitre so the two pieces meet cleanly at the corner. For internal corners — the far more common type in Greek rooms — use the coping technique: cut the first board square and push it into the corner, then cut the second board with a mitre to reveal the profile, and use a coping saw to follow that profile exactly. A coped joint is tighter and more forgiving than a mitre when walls are not perfectly square.
- 3
Prime and prepare your boards
If you are using bare MDF or raw timber, apply a coat of primer to all surfaces — including the back and cut ends — before fitting. MDF absorbs moisture from adhesive and paint if left unsealed, causing swelling over time, which is especially relevant in humid coastal areas of Greece. Allow the primer to dry fully, then lightly sand with fine-grit paper before fitting.
- 4
Fix the boards to the wall
Apply a continuous bead of construction adhesive to the back of the board, press it firmly against the wall at floor level, and secure it with finishing nails driven into the wall studs or — on solid masonry — into pre-drilled plugged holes. On very flat walls, adhesive alone is often sufficient if you tape the board in place and let it cure overnight. Wipe away any adhesive squeeze-out immediately with a damp cloth.
- 5
Fill, sand, and paint to a clean finish
Fill any nail holes and the top edge gap (between board and wall) with flexible decorator's filler or paintable caulk. Once dry, sand smooth with 120-grit paper. Apply painter's tape along the floor and wall, then paint the boards with two coats of satin or semi-gloss paint — white is the most versatile choice and reflects light well in darker Greek interiors. Peel the tape while the final coat is still slightly tacky for the cleanest line.
Rather have a pro handle it?
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FAQ
- Can I install skirting boards over tiles without removing them?
- Yes. Simply butt the skirting board down onto the tile surface rather than the subfloor. Use adhesive rather than nails to avoid cracking tiles, and caulk the joint between the board bottom and the tile with a flexible, paintable sealant to prevent moisture ingress.
- What is the best skirting board material for Greek coastal properties?
- For holiday homes near the sea, solid hardwood or moisture-resistant MDF (clearly labelled MR-MDF) performs better than standard MDF, which can swell in high-humidity environments. PVC skirting is another practical option for bathrooms and utility rooms — it is fully waterproof and easy to clean.
- How do I deal with walls that are not perfectly straight?
- Run a bead of flexible decorator's caulk along the top edge of the board after it is fixed. This fills any gap caused by an uneven wall and, once painted, is invisible. Do not try to force a rigid board hard against a bowed wall — it will crack or pull away from the fixings over time.