Match My Skirting: A DIY Guide

Replacing or adding skirting boards might seem like a minor detail in home renovation, but matching them correctly makes a significant difference to the overall look of your space. Whether you are repairing damaged sections, extending into a new room, or completely refreshing your interiors, achieving a seamless match with existing skirting is both an art and a science.

The perfect match depends on three key elements: the profile shape, wood type, and finish. Each component plays an essential role in creating harmony throughout your home. In this comprehensive skirting guide, you will learn how to identify your existing skirting profile, select the appropriate timber species, and achieve a finish that blends flawlessly with your current boards. From traditional ogee to modern torus designs, from oak to pine, and from painted to natural finishes – we cover all aspects of skirting board matching for your home improvement project.

Identifying Your Skirting Board Profile

Skirting board profiles come in a variety of shapes, each with distinct characteristics that define the style of your room. Ogee skirting features an S-shaped curve with a deep, sweeping profile that creates elegant shadows and is often found in period properties. The design typically includes a concave curve flowing into a convex curve, giving it a classical appearance that works well in traditional homes.

Torus skirting is identified by its prominent semi-circular bulge or rounded curve that runs along the top edge. This profile offers a simpler, more modern look compared to ogee, though it is also common in Georgian and Victorian properties. Other popular profiles include bullnose (featuring a simple rounded top), chamfered (with an angled flat face), and Victoriana (combining multiple decorative elements).

How to Measure and Record Your Existing Profile

Accurate measurement is essential for successful skirting replacement. Begin by measuring the height of your existing skirting board from the floor to the top edge. Then measure the thickness at both the top and bottom, as some profiles taper. Record these dimensions precisely in millimetres for the most accurate match.

For complex profiles, use a profile gauge (contour gauge) pressed against the skirting to capture its exact shape. This tool has numerous small pins that conform to the shape of your skirting, creating a negative impression you can trace onto paper. Alternatively, cut a piece of cardboard to fit snugly against the profile and trace its outline for a reliable reference.

Using Templates to Find Your Match

Creating a paper template is an excellent method to find my skirting profile when dealing with unusual or ornate designs. Take a piece of stiff paper or thin cardboard and hold it against your skirting board. Carefully trace the exact contours using a sharp pencil, ensuring you capture all details of the profile.

Compare your template against skirting board styles guides available from suppliers or take a photograph of your template alongside a ruler for scale. This visual reference helps timber specialists identify matching profiles. Many suppliers offer sample services where you can request small sections of different profiles to compare against your existing skirting before making a final purchase decision.

Selecting the Right Wood for Your Skirting

When you need to match existing trim in your home, identifying the wood species is your first challenge. Your ultimate, desired finish will influence your decision, there is no need to select and expensive hardwood if you are looking to paint or stain the skirting board, softwood or Tulipwood (Poplar) are idea choices in this instance. Oak skirting features a distinctive grain pattern with visible growth rings and often displays a light tan to medium brown colour. Pine skirting is typically lighter with more prominent knots and a yellow to amber hue. Other common species include walnut (dark brown with purple undertones), maple (pale cream to light reddish-brown), and beech (light brown with a subtle pink tone).

Look closely at the grain pattern in an inconspicuous area of your existing skirting. Oak has a strong, open grain while pine displays a softer, more uniform pattern. You may also examine the weight of any loose pieces - hardwoods like oak are notably heavier than softwoods such as pine. If possible, sand a small hidden section to reveal the natural colour beneath any finish or patina.

Matching Oak, Pine and Other Wood Types

Oak offers exceptional durability and develops a rich patina over time, making it ideal for high-traffic areas. Its prominent grain provides character and ages beautifully. Pine skirting is softer and more prone to dents but remains popular for its affordability and traditional appearance. When matching existing trim, consider not just the current appearance but how different woods age - oak darkens to amber tones while pine often yellows slightly.

For precise matching, bring a small sample of your existing skirting to suppliers or take clear photographs in natural light. Remember that wood is a natural material with variations even within the same species. Many suppliers offer sample pieces that allow you to compare grain patterns and colours against your existing skirting before making a final purchase.

Budget Considerations and Alternatives

Solid hardwoods like oak represent the premium end of the market, with pine offering a more economical alternative while maintaining an authentic wood appearance. If budget constraints make exact wood matching difficult, consider options that maintain visual consistency without the higher price tag. MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard) with a wood veneer can provide the appearance of solid wood at a fraction of the cost.

Another cost-effective approach involves using primed MDF skirting and applying a wood-effect paint finish to mimic your existing timber. This wood skirting guide approach works particularly well in areas where the new and old skirting are not directly adjacent. For the most authentic results without premium costs, focus your budget on visible areas and consider more economical options for less prominent spaces.

Matching Skirting Board Finishes

Determining the finish on your existing skirting boards is the first step toward a seamless match. For painted skirting, examine the surface texture - gloss paint has a shiny appearance, satin offers a mid-sheen finish, and matt provides a flat, non-reflective look. You can test an inconspicuous area with a drop of water; if it beads up, the finish is likely oil-based paint or varnish. If it slightly penetrates, it may be water-based paint.

For varnished or stained skirting, look at the wood grain visibility. Clear varnish preserves the natural wood appearance while adding shine, while stain alters the colour while allowing grain to show through. Wax finishes feel smooth to touch and have a subtle sheen rather than a glossy appearance. If uncertain, gently sand a hidden section - paint will come off as powder, while varnish typically comes off in tiny flakes.

Colour Matching Techniques for Painted Skirting

When matching painted skirting, take a small chip from an inconspicuous area to your local paint supplier for colour matching. Many stores offer spectrophotometer technology that can precisely match your sample. For older skirting, remember that paint fades over time, so you may need to go slightly darker than the current appearance to match the original colour.

To blend new and old painted surfaces, feather the edges where they meet by gradually thinning the new paint. Consider painting the entire length of skirting in a room rather than small sections to avoid noticeable differences. If matching is difficult, painting both the old and new skirting boards with a primer before applying your chosen colour can help achieve uniformity.

Recreating Natural Wood Finishes

Matching natural wood finishes requires identifying both the wood species and the finish type. Take a small sample of your existing skirting to a timber specialist who can help identify the wood variety. Pine, oak, and mahogany each have distinctive grain patterns and natural colouration that affect how stains are absorbed. Traditional oils can be a great way to preserve the look of your skirtiing board.

For staining new wood to match existing skirting, always test on scrap pieces first. Apply stain in thin layers rather than one thick coat, allowing proper drying time between applications. This gives you more control over the final colour depth. After achieving the right colour match, apply the same type of topcoat as your existing skirting - whether varnish, oil, or wax - in the appropriate sheen level to ensure both the colour and lustre match your original boards.

Installation: Fitting Your Matched Skirting

Before installing your matched skirting boards, proper preparation is essential for a professional finish. Begin by removing the old skirting boards carefully, using a utility knife to cut through any paint or caulk sealing the edges. Pry the boards away from the wall using a crowbar, working slowly to minimise damage to your plaster. Once removed, clean the wall surface thoroughly to remove any adhesive residue, dust or debris.

Next, gather all necessary tools and materials: your matched skirting boards, mitre saw, coping saw, tape measure, pencil, spirit level, wood adhesive, nails or screws appropriate for your wall type, and wood filler. Measure each wall section accurately, accounting for corners and doorways, and mark these measurements on your new skirting boards. Pre-cut your boards to roughly the right length, allowing a small margin for final adjustments during fitting.

Scribing Techniques for Perfect Corners

Achieving seamless corners is often the most challenging aspect of skirting installation. For internal corners, use the coping method rather than simple mitre joints. Cut one board square to fit flush against the wall, then cope the adjoining board by cutting a 45-degree mitre and removing the back portion with a coping saw to create a perfect contour match. This technique accommodates uneven walls and creates a tight-fitting joint that remains intact even with seasonal movement.

For external corners, cut both boards at 45-degree angles using your mitre saw. Test fit all corners before final installation and make any necessary adjustments. For uneven floors, use a scriber tool or compass to transfer the floor contour onto your skirting board. Position the board in place, run the scriber along the floor keeping it parallel to the board, and cut along the marked line for a perfect fit that follows floor undulations.

Fixing Methods for Different Wall Types

The method you use to secure your skirting depends on your wall construction. For solid masonry walls, pre-drill holes through the skirting and into the wall, then secure with wall plugs and screws. Position fixings approximately 60cm apart and 15cm from each end. Fill screw holes with wood filler that matches your skirting finish. For plasterboard walls, locate the studs using a detector and fix directly into these with screws.

For difficult-to-fix areas or where you want to avoid visible fixings, apply a high-quality grab adhesive to the back of the skirting board in a zigzag pattern. Press firmly against the wall and support with temporary bracing until the adhesive sets. When fixing skirting around pipework or other obstacles, create careful cut-outs using a jigsaw or coping saw. Complete the installation by filling any gaps between the skirting and wall with decorators caulk for a neat, professional finish.

External Sources and References

Additional Resources

For further reading on this topic, we recommend these valuable resources:

• Wooduchoose Made to Match service

Note: External links open in a new window.