Skirting/Architrave questions

[gregt]

I have a few questions regarding this topic.

• What is the difference between the two, apart from one going around a door or window and one on the floor?
• What is better to use, MDF or the undercoated pine type?
• I will get away with 75mm for skirting but will need 90mm for the windows. Does this matter or should they be the same ie 90mm allround?
• On Jarrah polished boards would you use Jarrah type skirtings/door moulds?

Cheers and thankyou.
Greg

[peter_sm]

Ultimately you use what you like the look of. Our house is typical 50's weatherboard, so we went for the 90mm skirting on the floor and 68mm architrave around doors and windows. In standard bullnose design in MDF. I used MDF because it was easy to work with and flexible so I could go up and down with our wonky floors. I borrowed a friends nail gun and used 70mm T nails to put them on.

Also being pre primed was an easy thing, and we painted them gloss white-ish acrylic and our floors are polished tassie oak.

That's what I did anyway.

[atregent]

Similar to Peter, we've got a 50's weatherboard place. I used 140mm lambstongue profile skirting and 90mm for windows and doors, mdf painted gloss white. Floor is polished tas oak also.

I was trying to get a picture up, but it seems not to be working for me in the office.

Nice to know I'm not the only one with wonky floors too!

[pharmaboy2]

I just put mdf around our place which was cheap and easy. I'm in newcastle so with the storms the other week, we got a bit of water ingress (windows aint designed to cope with 120kmh driven rain I assure you!). The mdf architraves are a total right off and all that got wet need replacing.

I will definately be going with pine replacements - the reveals that got the same wtaer are fine and are primed pine.

mdf - fine for skirts and internal doors, but not suitable for near doors or around windows IMO

[alisonol]

Did you guys glue or nail your MDF ?

If you nailed them, what did you use to fill the holes?

[les88]

I use a nail gun to fix it and filled the holes with spackle
les

[silentC]

I used MDF for the majority and meranti in wet areas. You definitely do NOT want MDF getting even a little bit wet, so if you have windows or doors that are likely to leak, take pharmaboy's advice.

Traditionally, skirting would be wider than architrave. In bog standard houses like mine, it's common to use the same material for both. It depends on the style you are attempting to recreate. There are some very fancy and ornate mouldings around which suit a period-style house. There is no technical reason for it, all you need is something wide enough to cover the plaster. Some houses don't use it at all.