12-04-2023

Which Skirting Board Joints to Use & When

If you are fitting new skirting boards, a lot of the big work will come when cutting the angles for the joints.

This actual joint style will depend on where the joint is:

  • On an inner corner, use a scribed joint
  • On external corners, use an external mitre joint
  • When joining two pieces of skirting board on a flat wall, use a headed mitre joint

 

When cutting a mitre joint, it is a good idea to hire a mitre saw, which will give you guides on cutting angles.

An alternative is to use a mitre box and then a hand saw to make the cut.

If you use a hand saw, pick one with as many teeth as possible, as this will reduce the risk of wood chipping – especially if your skirting is MDF.

If scribing your internal skirting board corners, use a pencil to draw on the cutting guideline and then hire a jigsaw to cut the wood.

You must wear PPE when using power tools, hand tools, and cutting equipment. Gloves, eye protection, and a mask are essential. Safety boots must also be worn when operating saws and other machinery.

You should also read the documentation and instructions which come with your hire product before you use it, and ensure you are confident enough to use them.

 

Measure twice, cut once: you should always measure the length of your skirting board generously, to ensure taking off a slight section for the joint doesn’t result in leaving your length short.

 

Common Types of Skirting Board Joint

Skirting boards are used to finish where the wall and the floor meet. They can be decorative or kept quite simple and practical.

Whether in an internal corner, external corner, or on a long wall, you’ll likely need to cut at least one piece of skirting. The same applies if working with architrave, beading, or any other finishing products.

 

1. Scribed Joint

A scribed joint is best for inner joints.

You just cut one piece of the two joining pieces of wood, to fit the profile of the other section. This gives you a tighter fit than using other forms of joints.

It is a bit trickier to cut than a mitre joint, as the line may not be entirely straight, but will give you professional results. It is commonly used in older homes where corners may not be completely square, and it only involves one cut. This means positioning can be altered slightly without losing the tight fit.

For your scribed joint, fix the first piece of skirting in place. This piece should be cut square at the end. Then cut the next piece (which will sit at the right angle to it) to fit the profile of the fixed piece.

Use a pencil to mark the profile, then a small jigsaw or hand saw to cut. A jigsaw will be more accurate and intricate.

 

Hire Jigsaws from Speedy

2. External mitre joint

A mitre joint is best used on external corners.

Mitre joints are where two sections of wood are cut at a 45-degree angle to slot together and meet on a corner.

A mitre joint is the best option on external corners, because it means the joint will be at an exact angle with the corner, and you won’t be left with any cut ends visible.

If your corner is slightly rounded because of fresh plastering, a bit of filler can hide the slight gap left.

 

Hire a Mitre Saw

3. Headed mitre joint

A headed mitre joint can connect two flat pieces of skirting together seamlessly.

This is ideal if you’re joining two smaller pieces of skirting on a flat wall. You may be using several shorter skirting pieces because you have a slightly bowed uneven wall, or a very long wall, which would make one whole piece difficult.

It can also be cheaper to buy a long piece of skirting and cut it to size multiple times, rather than several pre-cut pieces.

The two joining pieces are cut at opposing 45-degree angles. This makes a more seamless joint than a butt joint (or straight cut), which is where both sections are just cut vertically and joined.

It is easier to sand a headed mitre joint down and blend in, almost becoming invisible after the pieces are in place. The joint is also less likely to move versus a butt joint.

 

READY FOR MORE DIY TIPS?

We hope you found this guide on the different kinds of skirting board joints useful, and you’re now ready to start your next DIY project.

We also have a guide on how to fit a skirting board, as well as guides on how to panel walls, and which saw you need to use for your chosen DIY project.

You’ll find all the power tools and equipment you need, available to hire from Speedy. Open a Speedy account online or visit us in-store for all your tool hire needs.

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