What Is the Best Paint for Woodwork That Stays White? For woodwork that stays white, look for high-quality, non-yellowing paints. Brands like Dulux and Crown Trade offer paints specifically designed to retain their whiteness over time. By simply using a lighter colour on the walls, you can add contrast to the room. The point here is that we're trying to put emphasis on the skirting so this works particularly well if you have tall skirting with intricate details. How Do You Prevent Brush Marks When Painting Skirting Boards? To prevent brush marks, always use a high-quality brush and don't overload it with paint. Apply the paint in long, even strokes, and maintain a wet edge by overlapping the strokes. If you're using gloss or semi-gloss paint, consider adding a paint conditioner to improve the paint's flow and level out the finish. Should You Paint Woodwork or Walls First? As mentioned earlier, it's best to paint the walls first and then proceed to the woodwork, including skirting boards, for a cleaner finish. We'd recommend painting walls first, and skirting boards second. As a general rule of thumb when decorating, start from the top and work your way down. For example, when painting a room, start with the ceiling, next the walls, then lastly the woodwork, including skirting boards, window frames and door frames. That way, you won't risk getting any drip marks on parts of the wall further down. Can you paint straight over skirting boards?

When dry rub down lightly and apply the top coat. Gloss provides a good tough finish, but if you want something with a little less sheen, but still a good finish, try satinwood or eggshell. This typically takes around 2-4 hours to dry. Final Inspection: Make sure the paint has dried completely before removing any masking tape or painter's shields. Perform a final inspection to ensure you're happy with the result. Painting Skirting Boards the Same Colour as Walls. If you're considering painting your skirting boards the same colour as your walls, it can create a seamless, modern look. However, be sure to use paint that's appropriate for woodwork, which is generally more durable and has a different finish than wall paint. How Many Coats of Paint on Skirting Boards? Generally, two coats of paint are recommended for skirting boards. However, this can vary depending on the type of paint and the colour you're covering. Always refer to the manufacturer's guidelines for the best results. If you love the look of natural wood skirting boards, browse our interior woodcare range. From varnishes to stains, oils and wood preservers, find products to enhance the natural shade and finish of your skirting.Alongside our paints, you’ll find premium interior woodcare products, including oils, stains and varnishes for a natural wood finish on your skirting boards. Ensure you tape up your edges. Using masking tape around the edge of the floor will help to create clean lines; if your floor is carpeted, push the edges of the tape down with a blunt edge tool – this will ensure no paint “creeps” into the carpet. While there are water-based alternatives from the Dulux range that are easier to use, if you are looking for an oil-based eggshell, we highly recommend opting for Dulux Trade Eggshell. Painting skirting boards may seem like a small detail, but it's one that can significantly refresh and transform a room. Whether you're renovating your home or simply looking to update a space, the skirting boards often serve as the finishing touch that ties everything together. In this tutorial, we'll explore the best way to paint skirting boards, from choosing the right paint to mastering the technique for a flawless finish. Why Skirting Boards Matter

Essentially, you can paint them any colour you like, and consider flipping the traditional look too – if you love red and white for example, have white walls and red skirtings. The beauty of this look is that you really can choose whatever you like. 'Conventionally, white is a popular choice when it comes to painting skirting boards,' says Punam Chada, carpet buyer at Carpetright. The first question you might ask when choosing your skirting board paint is whether you can use the same paint you used for painting your walls. Especially if you’re going for a tonal, monochrome skirting board colour idea rather than the traditional white. Originally developed for ships, the Rust-Oleum Universal Paint is a durable paint and primer combined, offering long-lasting protection from scratches and scrapes. You’re not likely to get much rust on your skirting boards, but this paint is nevertheless very popular, offering exceptional coverage with its unique formulation. It’s easy to apply and delivers a smooth finish. Unusually for an oil-based paint, it touches dry in two hours and can withstand storms at sea, as well as bad treatment from the most boisterous family members. Second Coat: Apply a second coat for a more durable and even finish. Again, allow sufficient drying time between coats. TOP TIP: We'd still recommend this step, even if you are painting your skirting boards the same colour as your walls, as you might want to use a paint with a more durable finish, than the paint you have used on your wall. 4. Apply your paint

Reduced risk of flood damage

To apply the paint to a skirting board, a 2-inch brush is needed. This is good for cutting in along the top edge of a skirting board and provides good coverage in detailed and flat areas. You might want to switch to a 1-inch brush to get crisp straight lines in the corners. Sanding: Use fine-grit sandpaper to rub down the skirting boards. This creates a smooth surface for the paint to adhere to and removes any existing paint or varnish. Now remove the masking tape to finish the job. Peel off slowly and hold at a 45-degree angle as you pull. If the tape is proving difficult to remove, run a Stanley knife - or razor blade - along the edge of the tape where it meets the skirting board to cut and create a straight edge. Be careful. Hold the knife at a 45-degree angle so not cut the skirting board or flooring. Maintenance How to Keep Painted Skirting Boards Looking Fresh Keeping your newly painted skirting boards clean will help them look great for longer. We recommend a combination of wet and dry techniques for the best results. Gloss: Offers a high-shine finish and is easy to clean, making it ideal for high-traffic areas. However, gloss paint tends to highlight imperfections.

Gloss - the highest sheen of paint, that provides a high sheen finish that has often been used traditionally for interior trim such as doors & skirting boards thanks to its reflectivity and high durability. What finish paint to choose it totally up to you. A gloss paint is the most durable, but can look dated in some spaces (or fantastic in others!).Painting your skirting boards is a great way to add a colour to the room without overwhelming it so it’s perfect for people who are a bit nervous about committing to colour on the walls but want to add a bit of personality to the space,' advises Marianne Shillingford, creative director at Dulux. In most homes, it's a white wall andwhite skirting board scenario. Here you're breaking the mould so it will stand out straight away. While available in white as standard, it can be mixed in almost any colour which is fantastic if you are planning to colour your skirting boards. It can be mixed in any Dulux, RAL, British Standard or equivalent shades of all major manufacturers, even designer shades. We do not list all of the colours we can mix, which is why you can simply type in the name of the shade you are looking for in our text box and we will mix an equivalent shade. If your paint is water-based, opt for a synthetic bristled brush, as natural bristles can sometimes soak up too much for the paint and will leave a streaky look.