24cm Skirting Boards

[ma9ecg]

Hi,

I am new to this forum. My partner and I have an 1860 cottage and we are trying to get hold of some high skirting boards for the lounge. Most shops sell up to 20cm, but ideally we'd like 24cm skirting boards. Does anyone know where I might be able to get some? I don't mind buying them online if someone has a web address. Please help!

 

[GeoffP]

Hello,

I’ve recently replaced most of my 9” skirting boards and was lucky enough to find a local joiner with a spindle moulder to make to match - and cheap as well. Unfortunately, he has retired with ill health and can’t make anymore so I am left with 100 ft of plain 9” board to finish the job.

I don’t know where you live but if it’s anywhere near Derbyshire there’s a Joinery manufacturer in Matlock who keeps them in stock. They charge £4.50 + VAT per metre but only do the standard profiles (Taurus) so they’re not much good to me.

Don’t know if I’m allowed to advertise but their name is Gregory’s of Tansley, Matlock, Derbys.

Hope that this helps.

Geoff

 

[ma9ecg]

Thanks Geoff,

We live in Hampshire, but I didn't think about joineries. I'll find out if there are any local to us. Thank you for your help.

Emma

 

[Penners]

Emma

Pretty well any jobbing joinery company should be able to machine the boards for you, to the size and moulding that you want. However, 10-inch softwood boards don't come cheap, neither does special moulding, so be prepared for a bit of a sharp intake of breath!

The great majority of the cost will be in setting up the machinery, so while you're buying enough for your immediate needs, be absolutely sure that you won't need to order more in the future, otherwise you'll pay that cost all over again.

However, just before you go down that route, do you know whether the boards you want to match are a standard moulding (ie: torus or ogee)? If so, it might be worth seeing whether anyone local to you does hold them in stock - or even doing an internet search for stockists.

If you're not sure about the moulding, could you post a drawing or a photo?

 

[ma9ecg]

Hi Simon,

Thanks for your reply. We are looking for either Taurus or Ogee. I think I prefer Taurus. I got a quote for some Oak skirting (9") and with delivery it comes to about £180! :shock:

I have contacted a joinery for a quote for softwood, we probably would be better to stain the wood ourselves. We'll see what they say.

We have quite a few builders merchants near us, but the highest they do is 20cm (almost 8"). Our old skirting boards were about 9" high and due to the age of the property, the quality of the wall behind the skirting isn't that great, so we'd like to cover it as much as possible. Plus, I think high skirting looks really nice.

Thanks for you help

em

 

[Penners]

I'm not sure who Simon is, but anyway...!

I've done a quick Google for 10-inch torus (that's the correct spelling, in case you want to have a go yourself) skirting, and got nowhere, I'm afraid. That's not to say it's impossible to find from stock, but pretty unlikely.

How are your woodworking skills? As an alternative to getting it machined up specially, you could consider buying standard 6 or 7 inch torus skirting, and laminating an extra board on to the bottom of it. You'd need plenty of cramps, plenty of care not to get a substantial "step" in it, and probably a fair bit of sanding afterwards. But it could be done if the price of special machining turns out to be hair-raising!

In your favour, at least the joinery firm won't have to make special cutters for a standard torus moulding, so the price might not be too bad.

 

[middi]

Penners has suggested an excellent idea even if you are average DIY person.

Just buy ex 2x1 or 3x1 planed finish, glue and screw on the bottom of a standard skirting and sand it down after a few hours it is by far the cheapest way than special order.

 

[biffvernon]

I got a quote for some Oak skirting (9") and with delivery it comes to about £180! :shock:

Think of it like this, it will last at least a couple of centuries so the annual cost is rather less than half a pint per year.
Or...how much does the TV cost? What would you really prefer looking at?

 

[Penners]

What would you really prefer looking at?

It depends what's on. But I freely admit that watching your skirting board (even if it's softwood) is considerably more interesting than watching daytime TV.