Best Paint For Skirting Boards

Planning to freshen up your home decor and mopboards? Then you are probably wondering what is the best paint for skirting boards. While you may be tempted to overlook the skirting boards during the decorating process, painting them will certainly brighten up the room and give you a great new fresh look and bring the whole room together.

When you come to paint skirting boards there are three main finishes of paint that are often mentioned as being the best paint for skirting boards along with two types. 

The three main finishes and the choices you should be considering are whether you want the finish in Gloss – High Sheen finish, Satin – Mid Sheen finish or Eggshell – Matt like finish. Don’t worry about the differences just now, we will explain the characteristics of each paint finish below in regards to skirting boards.

While the two types of paint you should be considering are oil-based paint and water-based paint for skirting boards. Each has benefits and drawbacks that you should be aware of. With oil-based paint being more hard-wearing and durable but tends to discolour or yellow a lot faster than water-based paints. Water-based paints have the benefit of a longer-lasting colour but usually take more coats for full coverage and are less hard wearing then oil-based paints.

You will notice that there is no definite answer to the question, what paint is best for skirting boards – it depends on a number of different factors, from the desired finish to the upkeep of the paint.

With that said although, choosing a paint that is suitable for your home improvement is not a difficult task but you need to have an idea of what you are looking in terms of finish before selecting the best paint for skirting boards.

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Dulux Quick Dry Gloss Paint For Wood 750Ml

Best Paint For Skirting Boards 1

Best Gloss Paint For Skirting Boards – an excellent water-based gloss paint for a high sheen hard-wearing finish.

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Dulux Quick Dry Satin Paint For Wood 750ml

Dulux-satin-paint-skirting-boards

Best Satin Paint For Skirting Boards – A satin quick-drying finish for home wood interiors that’s perfect for those wanting a mid-sheen finish. 

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Johnstone's Paint For Wood Eggshell 1.25L

Johnstone-eggshell-paint-skirting-boards

Best Eggshell Paint For Skirting Boards – A great choice for an alternative finish other than Gloss or Satin that’s perfect for pastel colour interiors.

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The UK's 5 Best Paint For Skirting Boards Reviewed

The DIY Boss team decided to take a look at the most popular and most recommended skirting board paints available in the UK. This initial selection of 10 paints is further narrowed down to 5 best paints for skirting boards for the final list creation.

Before we dive into the best list lets have a quick look at the types on finishes available and their characteristics to help you make a more informed decision about your skirting board paint.

Gloss

  • High-sheen finish
  • A reflective and shiny look
  • Hard-wearing and durable

Satin

  • Mid-sheen finish
  • A smooth and bright look
  • Not as hard-wearing as a gloss but a more modern look

Eggshell

  • Matt like finish with very little sheen
  • Smooth and flat look
  • Gaining popularity in shabby chic interiors

So we selected the best of each category for our top 3 selections that cover Gloss, Satin and Eggshell for skirting boards. Again, it all comes down to personal preference but you can expect a great finish from each product listed. For more information about painting skirting boards, you can scroll to the bottom of the page for a guide on painting skirting boards.

Dulux Quick Dry Gloss Paint For Wood And Metal 750Ml

Best Gloss Paint For Skirting Boards (Water-Based)

The Dulux Quick Dry Gloss For Wood and Metal is a water-based paint that gives a high sheen reflective gloss finish. The hard-wearing gloss finish makes it a perfect choice for skirting boards in a family home where there is a lot of foot traffic and protection is a concern.

The hard-wearing, durable characteristic of the Dulux will help protect your skirting boards with no peeling or scratching present. Although not as thick as traditional gloss paint the consistency of the Dulux Quick Dry water-based gloss is still great for easy application and results in good coverage.

With the Dulux Quick Dry, painting your skirting boards will save a lot of time with a touch dry time of 2 hours and a second coat ideally applied after 6 hours for the best results.
 
The Dulux results in great coverage and a fantastic finish with just one coat but if you’re going through a drastic colour change – from dark to light then you may need 2 coats for full coverage. After using this paint we definitely recommend 2 coats.
 
Thanks to this paint being water-based and featuring a low VOC content the gloss is long-lasting and won’t discolour or yellow over time, keeping your skirting boards bright and fresh.
 
All in all, The Dulux Quick Dry Gloss For Wood and Metal can be the ideal paint for skirting boards and interior wood. Easy to apply, although can be quite runny the consistency is not difficult to work with, just ensure you have drop cloths down for minimal mess. 
 
Pros
  • Great paint coverage that allows up to 12m2/1L tin
  • Easy to apply with brush or roller.
  • Touch dry within 2 hours
  • Re-application within 6 hours
  • Low VOC & water-based gives a long-lasting, non-discolouring pure white finish
  • A magnitude of different colours available
  • Available in Satin White, Gloss White and Quick Dry formula.
Cons
  • The paint has a thin/watery consistency compared to oild based gloss
  • Will need 2+ coats for full coverage in most instances

Dulux Quick Dry Satin Paint For Wood And Metal 750Ml

Best Satin Paint For Skirting Boards (Water-Based)

Dulux Quick Dry Satinwood Paint For Metal and Wood is much the same as the Gloss option from Dulux but the satinwood differs in the finish. Expect an elegant mid-sheen softer look from using the Dulux satin as opposed to the gloss paint. 

With satin finishes on skirting boards becoming more popular in modern design and advances in paint technology increasing the wearing levels of satin, Dulux has created the perfect choice for a durable paint for skirting boards, ideal for those looking for a satin finish to their interior wood.

Expect a touch to dry time of 2 hours and re-application is best after 6 hours of drying time. As the satinwood from Dulux is a water-based paint the consistency is thin/watery but it’s not a massive problem.

It can be easily applied with a brush or roller and with care very little drip occurs even with the previously mentioned consistency. It makes cleaning the brushes and rollers after painting a simple process as the water-base means you don’t need any hard solvents to remove it.

DIY Bosss found for full coverage you will most likely need to use at least 2 coats. If you’re looking to apply it over harsh colours then you may need multiple coats. Think 3 or 4.

When applying the Dulux Satin,  expect to get around 9m2 per 750ml (12m2/1L) coverage per tin. Ensure you put down drop cloths to avoid any mess through the painting process.

The Dulux Quick Dry Satin For Wood and Metal Paint gives a smooth, mid-sheen finish, which makes it a great choice for a modern elegant look to skirting boards in the home.

For those reasons, we selected the Dulux Quick Dry Satinwood as our best satin paint for skirting boards.

Pros
  • Water-based paint with low odour – very little smell comes from this paint.
  • Satin finish with different colours available to suit your home decor.
  • Quick-drying time of 2 hours (Dry to touch)
  • 750ml tin will cover 9m2 (12m2 per 1L)
  • Affordable and multi-use paint
Cons
  • Will need to apply 2 coats at a minimum
  • Not as hard-wearing as oil-based paint.
  • Water consistency can mean a messy application.

Johnstone's Paint For Wood and Metal Eggshell 1.25L (303907)

Best Eggshell Paint For Skirting Boards (Oil-Based)

The Johnstone’s 303907 Paint For Wood and Metal is the perfect choice for an Eggshell paint for skirting boards. The paint produces a great, smooth matt finish that is easily wipeable.

Expect a durable, long-lasting colour with this eggshell paint, while this paint is oil-based it produces a long-lasting finish that won’t yellow with time.

With great coverage, you can expect the Johnstone’s paint for wood and metal to provide at least 10m2 per Litre. The paint will be touch dry within 4-6 hours and re-application safely within 12 hours.

Note that as this is an oil-based paint you will need white-spirit to clean brushes after each use. We recommend at least 2 coats for full coverage and protection.

 

Pros
  • Dry to the Touch drying time of 4-6 hours for this oil-based paint
  • Easy to apply
  • Great Eggshell Matt finish
  • Non-yellowing paint
  • 10m2 per litre paint coverage
Cons
  • Not as durable and hard-wearing as a gloss paint
  • Around 12 hours dry time before re-applying additional coats

Johnstone's Quick Dry Satin For Wood and Metal 1.25L

Alternative Satin Paint For Skirting Boards (Water-Based)

The Johnstone’s Quick Dry Satin is a water-based, low odour paint that is a perfect alternative to Dulux if you’re looking for a Satin mid-sheen finish suitable for skirting boards.

While this paint does dry incredibly fast it’s best to work in sections for the best coverage and to avoid touch-ups in the future.

The positives of the Johnstone’s Quick Dry Satin far outweigh the slightly visible brush strokes and difficult application as opposed to a Gloss paint.

With this paint being water-based you can wash paint brushes, hands and spills with water avoiding any difficult cleanup process when compared to harder-wearing gloss paint.

With the low VOC content, the odour is minimised and you won’t experience any heavy smells while using this satin paint. In fact, you will find very little odour coming from this paint.

This paint is touch dry in 2 hours and won’t feel tacky the next day like oil-based paints used for skirting boards. Finally, the water-based paint won’t go yellow over time and will give you a long-lasting brilliant white finish.

To avoid brush strokes being visisble it’s best to apply this paint with a mini roller, while it drys incredibly fast it is better to work in sections but the drawbacks does not discredit the Johnstone’s as a contender for the best paint for skirting boards and makes an excellent choice for a Satin mid-sheen finish to home interior wood.

 

Pros
  • Water-based with no yellowing risk
  • Low odour with quick drying times of 2 hours for touch dry.
  • Only 4-6 hours of drying time before reapplication.
  • An easy cleanup process which can be done with water only
  • Range of different colours available you can apply to home skirting boards
  • 12m2 per litre coverage
Cons
  • You will need at least 2 coats for full coverage.
  • Can be difficult to apply due to paint consistency
  • Use a roller to avoid brush strokes

Johnstone's Hardwearing Non-Drip Gloss For Wood and Metal 1.25L

Alternative Gloss Paint For Skirting Boards (Oil-Based)

You may be looking for an alternative gloss finish to the Dulux previously mentioned or oil-based gloss paint for skirting boards. The Johnstone’s Hard-Wearing Non-Drip Gloss For Wood and Metal is a great alternative for those that prefer an oil-based brilliant white gloss finish.

This paint boasts a 15m2 paint coverage per litre but we found that you are more likely to get around 12m2 coverage during use.

With this Gloss paint, the application is easy and smooth and you will not see brush strokes after application if you’ve correctly applied the paint. Bear in mind though that because this is an oil-based paint you are going to need white-spirit during the cleanup process whereas using a water-based paint this can be avoided.

While no undercoat is required, we would suggest a thin base coat before applying a final coat to your skirting boards if you choose to use the Johnstone’s oil-based gloss expect touch to dry time of between 4-6 hours and a reapplication time of 16 hours for the best results.

There are a number of colours available and we know how hard it is nowadays to find a high-quality oil-based gloss in additional colours other than white without using those expensive mixing stations.

If you’re looking for a high sheen, gloss finish to your skirting boards and want it to be an oil-based paint then you should be considering the Johnstone’s non-drip gloss for great coverage. Be aware that while we didn’t have time to acknowledge any yellowing with this paint reports have come back that because of it being oil-based there is a likely hood of this paint yellowing over time.

Pros
  • Tough solvent-based paint that offers hard-wearing protection
  • Thick consistency with this paint
  • Great gloss high sheen finish
Cons
  • Prone to yellowing over time – will need touchups but that’s to be expected
  • Cleanup process more difficult because of the oil-based paint
  • 16 hours before you should re-apply additional coats

Conclusion

What the best paint for skirting boards really depends on personal preference of finish and what type of paint you want to use. For easy clean up and fast drying times you will want to select a water-based paint. If you’re looking for a hard-wearing thick paint then a oil based gloss is probably the best choice for your home.

What You Need To Know About Painting Skirting Boards

Painting skirting boards is a relatively easy task once you’ve picked the type of paint and the finish you desire. Bringing new like into skirting boards complements any newly painted room within the home. Preparation is key so make sure you have all the tools needed before you start the painting process and ensure you have your re-application times down before beginning for the best results.

What Types Of Skirting Board Paint Are There?

Water-Based Skirting Board Paint

Water-based is fast drying, low odour producing paints that are perfect for those looking to complete a painting project fast and up to a professional standard. Be aware that water-based paints often leave brush strokes and require more than 1 or 2 coats to produce the best results. But the benefits are that the cleanup process is fast, easy and non-troublesome.

Oil-Based Paint For Skirting Boards

Oil-based paints are naturally thicker and provide a smoother finish as they don’t highlight imperfections as much as water-based paints. Although you should be aware that they do tend to yellow and require touchups throughout the years.

What To Consider When Choosing a Paint For Skirting Boards

The Finish of The Paint

Selecting what paint to use really depends on your desired finish. The finish of the skirting boards will affect the look and aesthetics, the finish is a personal preference with the traditional gloss paint still proving popular for its hard-wearing attributes. The new modern look of Satin paint is also fast becoming the most popular finish for wood interiors around the home.

Gloss Paint

A gloss paint gives a shiny and sleek finish. You should choose gloss paint if you’re looking for a reflective finish but hard-wearing look which bounces light off around the room.

Satin Paint

A satin finish is very different from gloss, satin provides a smooth-like look when applied to a well-prepared surface. Best described as a mid-sheen finish. Satin paint is easy to wipe and results in a softer colour appearance than a gloss but be aware that satin paint often makes lumps and bumps more noticeable than gloss.

Eggshell Paint

While not enormously popular, the Eggshell finish provides a more matt feel to skirting boards, with a less reflective and more smooth flat feel it’s becoming a good choice for pastel shade interiors where the aesthetics call for a more matt finish.

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