How this calculator works
Skirting runs along every wall except across the doorways, so its length is the perimeter of the room minus the width of the doors. Add an allowance for mitres and offcuts, and divide by the length of board you will buy. Coving runs round the whole ceiling, with no gaps.
Worked example: a 4 × 3 m room has a 14 m perimeter. One 0.8 m doorway leaves 13.2 m of skirting, or 14.5 m with 10% waste, which is 7 lengths of 2.4 m (6.05 rounded up) or 5 lengths of 3.0 m. Coving needs the full 14 m, 15.4 m with waste, so 6 lengths of 3 m.
Tips before you buy
- Count the skirting wall by wall in the lengths you will cut. A 3 m wall takes one 3 m board and no joint, and a 3.2 m wall needs two pieces, so a longer board may save a joint.
- Cut the inside corners as scribed joints (the profile of one board cut into the face of the other), which stay tight when the walls move. Mitre the outside corners.
- Prime the boards before fixing, and caulk the top edge and the gaps before painting. A flexible filler hides the uneven wall.
- Fix with adhesive and pins, or screws into the wall plugs, and watch for pipes and cables behind the plaster.
- Buy a little extra: the length of the board is cut from the wall and a split or a bad cut is easy to make.
Tools & materials for this project
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Frequently asked questions
How much skirting board do I need for a 4m x 3m room?
About 13.2 m with one 0.8 m doorway, or 14.5 m with 10% for waste, which is 7 lengths of 2.4 m or 5 lengths of 3.0 m.
How do I measure for skirting boards?
Measure the length of each wall along the floor, add them together, and take off the width of each doorway. Then add 10% for mitres and offcuts.
What size are skirting boards sold in?
Most are sold in 2.4 m lengths, with 3.0 m and 4.2 m also common. Heights range from about 70 mm to more than 200 mm.
Should I fit skirting before or after the flooring?
Usually before laminate or wood flooring is laid (or the scotia fitted after), and after tiling. Fit skirting after plastering and before decorating.
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Estimates only. Results assume standard materials and simple shapes. Supplier products vary, and the final call on quantity, structure and safety is yours. Check your local code and your supplier's guidance before ordering.