Skip to content Skip to footer

Entire site

How to install skirting boards

Jason

View the video

Project Overview

Installing skirting boards is an easy job with the right tools and know-how. We’ll take you through the tools you need to measure, cut and install your skirting boards. You’ll also see how to cut a scribed joint to give your job a professional finish.

Continue to step-by-step instructions

Step by Step Instructions

Previous Next

1 Measure the wall

2 Cut the skirting board

3 Cut the scribed joint

4 Cut and attach the skirting boards

Step 1. Measure the wall

Make sure you take down the measurements of your skirting boards accurately. Remember the rule of thumb, measure twice, cut once. Use the tape measure to work out the lengths you need your skirting boards to be. Transfer this distance onto the skirting boards. Use the handsaw to draw a straight line across the skirting board.

Previous Step Next Step
Step 2. Cut the skirting board

After you have marked up the skirting board, use the miter box and handsaw to cut it at a 45 degree angle. This first piece of skirting that will be cut to match the profile of the board.

Previous Step Next Step
Step 3. Cut the scribed joint

Cutting a scribed joint makes one end of the skirting board match the profile of the other, so that the boards join seamlessly in the corner. Use the coping saw to follow the 45 degree cut in the skirting board you just made. Cut from the bottom of the skirting board to the top, carefully following the line of the painted surface. Cut in and out with the coping saw as the line changes. As you get closer to the top of the skirting, cut away from the board so that you have a lip that will fit over the top of the other skirting board.

Previous Step Next Step
Step 4. Cut and attach the skirting boards

Measure the length of the wall for the first skirting board. Then cut the board to length with a 90 degree cut at both ends. Use a stud finder to locate the wooden frames behind the wall. Attach the skirting board to the wall with the nail gun to, so that it is flush to the corner. Cut the skirting board with the scribed joint to size, then push it against the first skirting board so that it’s flush. The secure it using the nail gun. Repeat the process until all the skirting boards are installed.

Previous Step Next Step

9
Suggested products from our range

Bahco Mitre Box with Saw

^$23^.46

Estwing Claw Hammer 24oz Steel

^$109

Paslode Impulse Framemaster Powervent Framing Nailer

^$903

Gardwell Ear Muff Class 5 Economy

^$14^.98

Komelon Tape Lock 8m

^$9^.50

Haydn 60cm Trim-Ezy Straight Edge

^$13^.78

Kincrome 1070 x 530 x 765mm Tradesman Saw Horse

^$95

Irwin Plus 880 Universal Hand Saw 350mm

^$24^.98

Trojan Coping Saw 125mm

^$13^.50

See all 9 suggested products

More D.I.Y. Advice

Choose wall colour with colour wheel

Walls How to create a feature wall A feature wall will add interest and create a focal point for your room. Here are some tips to help you create a feature wall in your home.

Person installing metal casing

Walls How to install wall hooks When hanging something on your wall, it’s important to choose the right hook. We’ll show you how to screw different kinds of hooks into a wall.

Person mixing the wallpaper paste

Wallpaper How to hang wallpaper New wallpaper can transform a room and also cover up any imperfections in a wall. We’ll show you how easy hanging wallpaper can be when you know how.

Person cutting off the skirting boards

Walls How to install skirting boards This video shows you how to measure, cut and install skirting boards in your home.

Man drilling

Walls How to drill into bricks We show you how to safely drill into a brick wall.

Person marking out the holes

Walls How to install masonry fixings There are a couple of different ways to hang things on masonry walls. We’ll show you how to install wall plugs to hang screws or use masonry bolts.

Person inserting wall plugs

Walls How to hang a picture frame from a track Check out this simple way to hang your pictures. We’ll show you how to attach a track to the wall and two ways to hang your pictures.

Remove the excess adhesive with a trowel

Walls How to render corners Rendering the outside of your house can improve its appearance and increases its value. Learn how easy it can be to prepare an external corner for rendering.

Man vacuuming carpet

Carpet How to clean carpet A simple and affordable way to refresh your carpet.

laminate benchtop

Laminate & Vinyl How to lay laminate flooring Laying a laminate floor can be a relatively cheap, quick and easy way to update a room in your home. It’s relatively easy to do yourself and we’ll show you how.

Rug

Flooring Ideas How to choose the right rug for any room A rug can add warmth, personality and really affect the look and feel of a room. The trick to finding the right rug for any room comes down to three things: size, colour and material.

Sanding timber floors with drum sander

Timber Floorboards How to sand timber floors Learn how to use professional floor sanding equipment to sand a timber floor.

Joins in subfloor joists are staggered to improve strength

Subfloor How to install a subfloor Find out how to build your own subfloor

Dry lay the tiles before applying adhesive

Tiles How to lay floor tiles Tiles are a great way to bring colour and style to a room. We’ll show you how easy it is to lay floor tiles with this easy to follow guide.

Man removing underlay from floor

Carpet How to remove carpet Learn the basic steps involved in removing old carpet.

bathroom tiles

Tiling 10 tile patterns you need to know Tiles are a versatile and hard-wearing floor covering that can be found in many areas of the home.

diy chalkboard cabinet hanging in the garage

Shelving & Storage D.I.Y. upcycled chalkboard cabinet We take an old cabinet and upcycle it into a handy chalkboard cabinet that will give you somewhere to store tools and a place to write lists or plans for your next project.

honeycomb wall shelves

Shelving & Storage How to make D.I.Y. honeycomb floating wall shelves These honeycomb floating wall shelves are a modern and stylish way to make a feature of any wall in your house. They’re easy to make and they’ll give a somewhere to show off your favourite things.

bathroom rejuvination

Ideas & Makeovers Learn how to give your bathroom a makeover on a budget Simple and affordable ways to give your tired bathroom a makeover.

roses in garden

Planting & Growing Winter garden ideas It may be cold outside in most parts of New Zealand but there are still a few things that need to be done in the garden at this time of the year. But if you can’t face going outside, you can always bring your garden inside suggests Bunnings horticul...

diy wood and concrete kitchen island

Outdoor Living D.I.Y. wood and concrete kitchen island You’d be surprised how easy it is to make this wooden and concrete kitchen island from just a few simple tools and materials.

Modern living room DIY makeover

Living Room How to give your living room a modern D.I.Y. makeover There are a few simple ways to freshen up a tired living room and make it a real feature in your home. You can create more space by knocking out a wall and updating the furnishings to fit. By adding floating cabinetry and open shelves, you’ll have m...

black diy wooden sofa arm table

Living Room D.I.Y. wooden sofa arm table A sofa arm table is a great addition if you’re short on space or don’t have a coffee table in your living area.

hampton kitchen

Ideas & Makeovers Hamptons sanctuary Bright, open and stylish are the hallmarks of the Hamptons Sanctuary. The island bench doubles as a workspace and breakfast bar, while the bamboo benchtops and window panel cupboards complete the look.

Top of the content

Top of the content

Please enable JavaScript to enhance your experience on the Bunnings site. We have detected that JavaScript has been disabled in your browser. Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings to enhance your experience.