If you are redoing a room from scratch, one of the most important parts of getting the floor to look good is making sure that the carpets and skirting boards are installed properly. If you are in this situation, you might be wondering, can you fit a carpet without skirting?
You should fit the skirting boards before you fit the carpet, because the carpet should only come up to the level of the boards, and should not run under them. This will allow you to change the carpet without removing the boards in the future, so it is important to do it in this order.
Fitting the skirting boards and the carpet correctly makes a big difference to how the room looks, so in this article, we’re going to explore the proper technique and discuss what to do if you need to fit the carpet without the skirting boards in place. This should make it easy to get your room’s new flooring to look perfect!
Should You Fit Carpets Before The Skirting Board?
Often, you will be laying carpets when the skirting boards are already in place, but if that isn’t the case, you might be wondering whether the carpet should be laid before you put the boards in. After all, this will allow you to hide the edge of the carpet under the boards, which might seem like the neatest solution.
However, you should not do this if you can avoid it, because this will prevent you from accessing the edges of the carpet. The carpet is likely to need changing long before the skirting boards do, since it is made of soft material and it gets a lot more wear and tear – and if you’ve sealed the edges under the boards, you won’t be able to take the carpet out easily.
Usually, when a carpet is laid, the following process is used:
- A carpet gripper is installed a short distance away from the skirting boards, and this gripper is what will hold the carpet taut and prevent it from shifting around in the room.
- The carpet is unrolled and set into place, and then pressed down over the gripper.
- The carpet is wedged into position between the gripper and the skirting board, and the two surfaces hold it firmly in place and prevent it from moving.
If you choose not to do this and instead fit the carpet under the skirting board, be aware that you will not be able to access the floor without removing both the skirting board and the carpet. If the carpet runs up to the skirting boards but does not go under them, it can be lifted when you need access or you want a new carpet.
Can You Fit Carpets Before The Skirting Board?
If you really want or need to fit carpets before the skirting board, you can do so. However, if you want to retain your ability to change the carpet, you should measure the carpet as though the skirting boards were in place, leaving room for them to be fitted afterwards.
Be aware that there is a high risk if you do this, because if you have mismeasured or something does not fit quite as expected, you may end up with an unsightly gap between the carpet and the skirting board. This can be very annoying, and it is unfortunately common for things not to fit exactly as you think they will when doing this sort of work.
The other option is to lay the carpet right to the wall and then fit the skirting board on top, but this does have the drawbacks mentioned above. Some people are prepared to deal with this because they prefer the appearance of the carpet going under the skirting board, but make sure you are aware of the work that will be involved if you need to remove it later.
Will The Carpet Look Like It Fits Under The Skirting Even If It’s Not?
In general, carpets are fitted in a way that makes them look like they run under the skirting board, even though they actually stop at the edge of it. This is part of what professional carpet fitters will do for you. They will calculate what distance is needed between the carpet grippers and the skirting board, and install the grippers accordingly.
When fitted correctly, the carpet should flow seamlessly against the skirting board, making it impossible to tell that it does not go underneath. This allows you to enjoy the neat appearance without having to rip out the skirting boards to replace the carpet.
FAQs
Q: Is a skirting board necessary?
A: Skirting boards are generally necessary, yes. Some people dislike them, but they serve multiple purposes. They protect the walls from bumps and knocks at foot level, and they create an even join between the wall and the floor, which might otherwise look quite messy. Skirting boards can be thin and unobtrusive, but they are an important part of your home.
Q: Can you have no skirting?
A: Some people do design their homes without skirting boards, but you should be aware that this requires a lot more work, because the plaster has to be perfect in order to avoid a messy join. Usually, the skirting hides this join. If you want to get rid of your skirting and create a good aesthetic, you need to hire a skilled professional.
Q: Do you ever fit the floor before the skirting boards?
A: In some cases, laminate or wooden floors will be laid before the skirting boards, because they form a hard surface for the skirting boards to rest on. The wood will butt up against the wall, and the skirting board will rest on the top.
Conclusion
You generally do not fit the carpets of a home until the skirting board has been installed, as you will otherwise have to remove the skirting boards any time you need to change or pull back the carpet – and this can create a lot more work. Carpets should be fitted against the skirting boards, and not underneath them.
