How to Fit Skirting Boards

How to fit skirting board guide

Skirting boards are often an underestimated feature in the home. While they may appear to serve a purely decorative purpose, they actually play a practical role too, helping to protect all types of walls, concealing gaps where the walls and floors meet, and hiding imperfections. That’s why they matter!

With this in mind, knowing how to fit skirting boards properly can help give your home renovation a professional edge. Whether you’re finishing off the walls in a brand new structure or replacing existing skirting boards for a property refresh, knowing the right techniques is vital for success. 

From selecting the best power tools and screw fixings to scribing and refining, our guide is here to help beginners get the best results. We’ll look at both adhesive and screw fix methods so you can find the best option for your project.

 

What tools do you need to install skirting boards?

First things first, let’s go through the tools and equipment you’ll need for the job. At ToolStore UK, we stock a comprehensive range of the best power tools for beginners and more experienced DIYers alike. 

We recommend exploring DeWalt and Makita tools — these manufacturers produce reliable power tools that offer professional results while being intuitive and straightforward to use.

Here’s what you’ll need for your skirting board project:

Cutting and measuring

Fixing to the wall

Finishing

 

Should you fit skirting boards before or after installing the flooring?

When you fit your skirting boards depends on the type of flooring you want. If you’re adding carpet, then fit the skirting boards before laying it. However, for wooden, laminate or tile flooring, it’s generally recommended to install the flooring first, then add the skirting boards after for a cleaner finish.

 

Step 1: Cutting and measuring 

Before you can fix your skirting boards to the wall, you’ll need to make sure they are the right size. 

You’ll need to measure the walls and cut your skirting boards to fit. Try to avoid having any part of the joint in the middle of the wall. Ideally, you want a single skirting board length to sit across the whole wall, only joining at the corners.

Corners in a room come in two types - internal and external. Internal corners are where two walls meet inward (like in most room corners), while external corners are where a wall sticks out and forms an outer edge or angle.

Follow these simple steps to cut and measure your skirting boards: 

  • Mark where you need to cut on the back of the skirting boards.
     
  • If you need external corners, use mitre joints — cut the boards at 45° angles so they wrap around the wall.
     
  • If you need internal corners, you’ll need scribe joints. This is where you create a square cut on one of the boards and then cut the other so it matches the profile of the first. This means it will slot neatly over the face for a seamless fit and will remain strong even with changes in humidity.

A mitre saw is useful for these cuts, however, you might need to manually cut some with a coping saw if they are especially intricate.

 

Step 2: How to fix skirting boards to the wall

Once you’ve cut each skirting board panel, it’s time to attach it to the wall. There are two fixing methods to choose from — one uses adhesive and the other involves screws. 

Before attaching anything to the wall, double check there are no hidden pipes or cables by running a stud detector to locate them.

Using adhesive

This is a very straightforward option, ideal for beginners.

  • Place your skirting board face down and apply a generous amount of grab adhesive to the back of the panel. Make sure you follow the instructions on the adhesive packaging.
  • Firmly press your skirting board to the wall and wipe away any excess adhesive.
  • Whether or not you need any extra fixtures depends on the type of wall — if it’s perfectly flat, adhesive alone should do the trick. However, if there’s any curvature or uneven spots along the wall, you might need to add some screws, so follow the steps below.

Using screws

If you want a bit more of a challenge and to feel confident that your skirting board is strongly attached to the wall (or you want to strengthen areas after using adhesives), you’ll benefit from this technique. 

It’s also the method to use if you’re attaching skirting boards to a masonry wall.

  • Mark where you’ll want to drill, with the first holes 50mm from the end of the wall - one 2.5mm from the top of the skirting board and one 2.5mm from the bottom. 
  • Repeat the process every 500mm along.
  • Using your combi drill with a 6mm masonry drill bit, drill through the marked points on the skirting board, into the wall. These are your pilot holes.
     
  • Next, go over the pilot holes with a countersink bit to create a recess — this will mean your screws are hidden. A countersink bit will widen the top of the pilot holes so your screws sit flush against the surface of the skirting board. 
  • Insert a 6mm wall plug into the hole and add an 8-gauge screw. Gently tap and then screw it in until the head of the screw is just below the skirting board surface.
     
  • Repeat with all holes.

Note: If you’re attaching your skirting board to a stud wall, you’ll also need to use lost head nails to fasten it to the studs.

 

Sealing and sanding

Once your skirting boards are on the wall, seal them off using a caulking gun. This will fill any gaps for a seamless finish that won’t trap moisture.

Finally, gently sand over the countersunk screws so that the ridges around the holes are smooth. 

Your skirting boards will then be ready to paint and decorate however you fancy!

 

Common skirting board challenges and how to solve them

Sometimes, mistakes happen. Whether it’s a misjudged angle or an issue with the wall itself, don’t panic. Here are some common challenges you may encounter, and how to rectify them.

  1. Inaccurate internal or external corners

Do your skirting boards not quite align at the corners? Prevention is better than cure with this one — as the old saying goes, measure twice, cut once.

However, if you find this has happened, cut one board to 45° and then scribe the second to match its profile.

  1. Screws showing on the skirting board

If your screws are visible, you likely haven’t countersunk them. Make sure you use a countersink bit after drilling your pilot holes so the screws tuck in snugly.

  1. Visible holes after inserting the screws

This is where your skirting boards are attached to the wall, but you can see indents where the holes are. 


Don’t worry, you can fill them in with wood filler or caulk. Once dry, sand flush and you’ll be good to go.

 

Tips for a clean finish 

Here are a few extra pointers to help you get professional looking results from your skirting board installation.

  • Place masking tape along the floor at the edge of the wall to prevent any scratches or caulk spillages.
     
  • When securing corners with internal joints, fit the square cut board first. Then you can align the scribed board with it to ensure perfect results.
     
  • For corners with external joints, apply PVA glue to the face of your mitre cuts. This will help the two sections bond together for a cleaner, longer lasting finish.
     
  • Double check that the boards are level as you go by using a spirit level.
  • Fit your skirting board to the longest, straightest wall first — this will give you the best reference point to make sure all the others are as accurate as possible.

 

Fit your skirting boards with precision with the right tools 

Get all the tools you need for a successful skirting board installation at ToolStore UK. Explore our full range of power tools and accessories and enjoy next working day delivery when you order before 4pm. 

You can also find more guides and inspiration in our How To Guides.

10th November 2025

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