Curved walls and circular rooms are rare in most residential projects, but they appear often enough in commercial and high-end residential work that flexible baseboard is a standard product in the PU catalog.
A flexible PU baseboard is the same profile as the rigid version, manufactured with a kerfed back or a softer formulation that allows the piece to bend to a specified radius. The flexible version is typically a custom order, because the factory needs the radius to pre-shape the material.
The application process is similar to flexible crown molding. The rigid pieces on either side of the curve are installed first, the flexible piece is dry-fit into the gap, the fit is checked, and the piece is glued in place with construction adhesive. Bracing or tape is required while the adhesive sets, because the flexible material wants to spring back to its original shape.
The radius determines the feasibility. A flexible PU baseboard can handle a gentle curve (a 1.5 meter or larger radius) with a standard flexible formulation. A tighter curve (under 1.5 meter radius) needs a more flexible formulation, and very tight curves (under 600 millimeter radius) may need a custom approach — sometimes the baseboard is built up from short straight pieces with small miters, rather than a single flexible piece.
For sourcing, flexible baseboard is almost always a custom order. The factory makes the rigid profile on a stock line and either cuts the back of each piece (kerfed) or pours a flexible variant from a separate tool. The lead time is longer than for rigid baseboard, the minimum order quantity is higher, and the price per meter is higher. Worth confirming with the factory before the spec is finalized.
A practical note for project specifications. If a project has any curved walls, the spec should call out the baseboard as flexible at the curved sections, and the radius should be specified. The factory needs this information to quote accurately, and the installer needs to know which pieces are flexible before starting the work.
A practical install note. The flexible baseboard is shipped coiled or pre-shaped to the radius. If shipped coiled, it should be uncoiled and allowed to relax for 24 hours before installation, so the material settles into its shaped form. Installing a coiled piece straight from the package results in a piece that wants to spring back to the coil.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a PU skirting board?
A: A PU skirting board (also called a baseboard) is a polyurethane molding installed at the floor-to-wall transition. It protects walls from scuffs and vacuum damage while delivering a clean architectural edge. PU skirting is waterproof, impact-resistant, and far lighter than the equivalent timber profile.
Q: How do you install Flexible baseboard molding for curved walls and?
A: Cut Flexible baseboard molding for curved walls and with a fine-tooth miter saw. Apply construction adhesive in a continuous bead along the back, press to the wall, and tack with finish nails into studs where possible. Mitre joints at inside and outside corners, fill with spackle, sand, and apply two coats of paint. PU skirting requires no sanding of the face — it arrives primed.
Q: Can PU skirting be used in wet areas?
A: Yes. PU skirting is fully waterproof and ideal for bathrooms, kitchens, and basements. Use a polyurethane adhesive (not water-based) and seal the bottom edge to the floor with a thin bead of clear silicone in wet zones to prevent mop water from wicking under the profile.
Q: What height skirting board should I choose?
A: Standard residential skirting heights are 60–100 mm (2.4–4 inches). For modern interiors, taller profiles (120–150 mm / 5–6 inches) deliver a more contemporary look and visually raise the perceived ceiling height. Heritage and Victorian restorations typically use 150–200 mm (6–8 inches) with a stepped or ogee profile.