The skirting board is one of the finishing elements, which is attached to the bottom of the wall. Thin boards covered the gaps in ancient times. Then making one strip of plinth took a lot of time and effort. In the Middle Ages, this element became part of the decor of the room. It was decorated with carvings, inlays and inserts of precious metals. When a special machine was invented that made it possible to remove thin, smooth sheets (veneers) from the solid wood, the skirting boards became multilayered, that is, the base was made of ordinary wood, and the top was covered with a thin layer of precious rocks. In the most prosperous houses, the rooms were decorated with slats with a surface of mosaic veneer. The plinth has a "twin brother" - a fillet. If the first is attached to the wall, then the second decorate the joint with the ceiling. Plinths in the interior play an important role, since without this insignificant details the repair in the room will look unfinished. In the article, let's talk about what kinds of species it is classified in and how to properly select this element for a specific situation.

In modern versions inside the traction (the architectural designation of the relief "belt"), even a heating system can be placed, which, in parallel with the batteries, will warm the room around the perimeter. For decorative purposes, some models are equipped with light bulbs or sockets. Organically matched pair of floor plinth-ceiling quirks will unobtrusively emphasize the height of the walls.

Skirting will help complete the design concept, because this element also corresponds to certain styles. For example, a neat stucco approach to the classics, imitation of the steel surface will emphasize high-tech, and a white strip of décor will add careless sophistication to the Provence.

       

Types and materials

Classify skirting boards on the materials from which they are made. The largest group consists of elements from wood and its derivatives. They, in turn, are subdivided into the following subtypes:

• Massive. These skirting boards are made entirely of solid wood of precious or ordinary species. Such models are attached to nails or screws, as a single piece of wood can become hardened over time and lose its shape. The hats of the fasteners are carefully masked with a putty. This option is very expensive and will emphasize the beauty of expensive parquet. It is not advisable to buy a wooden plinth, if it is planned to be further painted. Of the shortcomings of these models, only a scanty color scheme is noted within the shades of brown.

Read also: Light floor in modern interior and its combinations

• Veneered. They are a two-layer combination of a simple wooden base and a veneer sheet with a beautiful natural pattern.

• From MDF. The material became a budget substitute for natural wood. MDF is made from wood pulp (sawdust) with the addition of a special fastening composition based on resins. Such skirting boards have a rich range of shades, but are much inferior in strength to massive ones. Do not recommend decorating them through rooms.

• From LDF. A material similar to MDF, which has a lower density and weight. To the wall is attached using screws, glue or clips. It has a low cost, can be easily cut, but does not withstand systematic wet cleaning.

• Suberic. The original model, which, unfortunately, has a set of shortcomings. Cork skirting boards have a pleasant shade, texture and bend well. They are made either entirely from a cork, or from a wooden base and a porous veneer. Such a floor belt passes moisture and does not withstand mechanical impact: with a strong kick, the material simply bursts. The main advantages of the cork - softness, pleasant roughness and elasticity when touched, are absolutely useless, if this element is made of it.

• Liquid wood. A relatively new material, which is a combination of wood waste with synthetic fastening additives. Such plinths are covered with paint, veneer and laminated. They bend well and can repeat the contours of the rounded walls. In terms of service life is much inferior to natural wood. Externally, the composite material is similar to a potpourri from a wooden pattern and a smooth stone base. Wood and its derivatives are considered the most environmentally friendly and safe materials because of their naturalness.

• Plastic. Skirting boards made of plastic have a light weight, repeat the contours of the rounded walls and boast a rich color range: from gloomy black and to acidic shades that are not characteristic of natural materials. However, plastic has one significant disadvantage. The plastic must not be heated. At high temperatures, it begins to release into the air toxic and dangerous substances for humans. For this reason, do not recommend decorating the room with plastic elements, where the temperature rises or electric appliances located in the immediate vicinity of the element will be present. Plastics are also represented by a wide range: polyurethane, duropolymer, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride.

• Plinth made of stone and ceramics. Both materials are monumental and super-strong. Such an element will stand the test of time. Ceramic and ceramic granite skirting boards are suitable for decorating the tiled floor (in the bathroom and in the kitchen). The most durable are the elements of marble. Because of the high cost, they are used only in elite interiors.

• Metal. Rare type that can withstand heavy loads. Metal elements are made to order and pre-adjusted to the contour of rounded walls. Such plinths can decorate not only the interior of the house, but also the exterior. Suitable for modern styles: loft, high-tech, minimalism.

Separately note a special group of metal skirting boards for gypsum board. They are fixed before installing a structure of this material and perform the role of support, which is the main load.

There is another classification according to the degree of flexibility. The materials that reluctantly repeat the curvature of the wall or columns include wood, ceramics, and metal. Here it is a question of "unscheduled" bends, since in advance it is possible to produce a skirting board of a special shape. The tree can be slightly adjusted with steam. With ease bend at any angle only plinth of plastic, and slightly change their shape of the elements of the cork.

       

Read also: Design of tiles in the kitchen +56 photo of the decoration of the floor

Ways of fastening

Depending on the type of skirting, the following fastening methods are used:

• Self-tapping screws and conventional nails are used for wood and some of its derivatives.
• To fasten elements from MDF and LDF, special clips and clips are used, which are sold with them in the kit. Then they are masked with special decorative slats.
• The plastic is fixed with liquid nails. Unfortunately, because of them the element can not be accurately dismantled, therefore after repair it is necessary to buy a new plinth.

       

Although traditionally the part is fixed on the wall, in some rooms this rule will have to be neglected. If the house is made of a bar, then the plinth is attached as expected. If the apartment has concrete or brick walls, then it is more expedient to fix the part on the floor.

       

How to choose

Plinths can not act as an independent interior detail. They are always chosen with a look at some larger element that is located next door. For example, they focus on the color of doors, windows, furniture, and the color of the floor. Material is also important. The tree is universal and can be combined with any walls and floors. Budget plastic is suitable for linoleum, laminate and carpet. Ceramic and stone skirting organically look only with marble, granite and tiles.

       

Under the color of the walls

Skirting the color of the walls allows you to erase or emphasize the border between them and the floor. In the first case, so that the surfaces do not completely merge, they select the "belt" for the shade lighter or darker. This technique is a favorite among decorators, since the option of combining close-in-the-range tones is considered a win-win.

In rare cases, walls, door frames and plinth are selected in the same color. The solution is very fresh and extravagant, so it is suitable for bold modern styles. To emphasize the boundary between the sex and the wall, choose either a neutral shade of the plinth, or bright. The latter is rare, because in the color scheme of the element still prefer nut, beige, chocolate and coffee with milk. Do not recommend choosing a plinth in the tone of the wall, decorated with a coating with motley drawings. The border between the floorboard and the wallpaper in the flower should be strict and neat.

Under the color of the floor

According to the traditional canons, the skirting board is selected under the shade of the floor covering. Ideally, it should be a couple of tones lighter or darker, depending on the color transition to the wall. The combination of the same shade is considered a win-win. It is not so important, whether the plinth is combined with the tone of the covering of walls or window and door openings. All that is above must be combined with a fillet, and a neat, monophonic bottom will be left out.

See also: White floor in the interior

       

Under the color of doors and windows

Designers recommend choosing a skirting board for the color of door and window frames only if they are made of wood. This element will help to gently integrate into the interior openings of a different hue, which do not look balanced in the general palette of colors. For example, in a room with a dark floor and walls, white doors will find support in the form of a skirting board of the same color.

       

White fringing in the interior

The white plinth decorates the interior, making it more refined and elegant. It is universal and organically poured into any stylistic decision. Neutral color allows you to harmoniously add white doors or windows to a dark environment. With such a plinth any interior will look airy and easy. The white edging will emphasize the high walls. The effect of this method is doubled if the ceiling decorates the same fillet. Although the white plinth is a novelty, it was as if created for the classical style. The element will add exquisite notes to the luxury of the interior. However, it is worth considering that the light fringing will have to be systematically washed, as the surface is marqued, and the floor is not the cleanest place in the house.

       

Colored contrasting floor frames

Contrast colors in skirting boards - a daring novelty of recent years. They are ideal for non-ordinary, creative interiors, decorated in modern styles. Since the flooring is usually performed in a neutral range (shades of brown, black, gray), then choose plinths for furniture and individual details of the decor. In a strict classics, such an option is difficult to imagine, and flexible futurism, futurism, eclecticism, ethnics will calmly accept such a vivid experiment. Living room in a mixed style with an orange-violet color scheme will emphasize the causing lilac plinth. A contrasting strip of red, yellow or green color will brighten up the dark environment. Brilliant black and blue panel curtains against the backdrop of light walls and neutral floor will find support in a blue skirting board.

       

Conclusion

In addition to color and material, you need to pay attention to the width of the skirting board. In rooms with high ceilings, the lower boundary strip should be massive. Narrow skirting boards are simply lost in such rooms. Wide elements are also used to visually increase the space in the extended rooms.

       

In the environment of professional designers there is a joke about the fact that the plinth is a real test for the beginner in the decoration business, since it is very difficult to link it with all the compositional elements to the inexperienced master. If there are doubts and the color schemes "door-window-wall" is already around the head, then bet on the shade of the floor. This traditional option did not yet know the defeats.