Oak Skirting Boards: A Timeless Choice for Any Home
With their rich, warm tones and natural beauty, oak skirting boards have been a popular choice in English homes for centuries. As a classic and versatile design feature, the trusty oak skirting brings numerous advantages that make it a timeless addition to complement any interior.
Quality and Durability Stand the Test of Time
Oak’s hardwearing properties allow it to cope with the knocks and scuffs of family life. Its dense grain withstands scratches, impacts and everyday wear-and-tear more resiliently than softer woods. Well-maintained oak skirting can last for decades before needing replacement. Oak’s natural markings, variations and character only add to its rustic charm over time.
For those seeking a sustainable choice, English oak is durable yet ecologically sound. As a native British timber that can be grown and sourced locally, it has a smaller carbon footprint than exotic imports. Its longevity reduces the need for replacement in the future.
Design Flexibility for Traditional and Contemporary Homes
With shades ranging from pale gold through to deeper browns, natural or stained oak complements both light, neutral interiors and richer colour schemes alike. Both modern and period homes can benefit from its adaptable style.
For a sleek contemporary feel, minimally decorated oak lentils provide an elegant touch. Or make a bolder statement by painting oak skirting in vibrant tones to contrast with white walls.
In cottages, farmhouses and other traditional English homes, unvarnished oak contributes natural warmth and time-honoured character. Hand-finished detailing, decorative corbels or carved embellishments on the oak can enhance this further.
A Perfect Pairing with Popular Flooring Materials
Beautifully showcasing floors is an essential role of the humble skirting board. Oak is perfectly paired with many quintessentially English floor types found across the country.
Alongside stone or brick floors in older rural homes, solid oak skirtings incorporate nature’s textures. Contrasting beautifully with ceramic tiles or terracotta, they frame sleek contemporary floors.
Oak finishing touches harmonise elegantly with furnishings too. Skirtings complement parquet, engineered or reclaimed wood floorboards. They also enhance stripwood, herringbone and other patterned wooden floor designs.
Versatile Installation for All Areas of the Home
Oak skirtings provide the ideal finishing touch anywhere in the home. They’re commonly used in main living areas like hallways, kitchens, living rooms and dining spaces. Here, their resilient finish stands up well to routine foot traffic and furniture movement.
As an elegant solution for bedrooms and studies, oak just seems to bring a sense of calm and warmth to bedrooms and studies. The rich wood tones pair beautifully with oak furniture like wardrobes or hardwood floors in those more private spaces of the home. Even in rooms like bathrooms and utility rooms that tend to have a more functional vibe, the organic patterns and cozy hues of oak skirtings add a welcoming, homey touch.
Putting in new oak skirtings is actually a pretty doable project if you’re an avid DIYer. Grab some basic tools and materials from the hardware shop, watch a few YouTube tutorials, and fitting the oak boards yourself is totally manageable.
But if that sounds too tricky or you’re renovating on a larger scale, getting professional carpenters or joiners to install custom oak skirtings is a good call. They’ll seamlessly blend new additions with existing architectural details. Sure it’s pricier than DIY but you can rest assured your oak will stand the test of time with quality handiwork.
Whether you fancy oak skirting to inject some life into a tired decor or you simply love that traditional charm it brings – it rarely disappoints. It’s just one of those steadfast British classics for good reason. With its reliability, natural beauty and that cosy timeless vibe, oak skirtings feel like home.