Modern baseboards are the most restrained category in the catalog. The profile is simple, the height is moderate, and the finish is the same matte or eggshell as the wall.
The most popular modern baseboard is a flat strip. A simple rectangle, typically 60 to 100 millimeters tall and 10 to 15 millimeters thick. The baseboard is the line at the floor, not a developed architectural element. Painted the same color as the wall, the baseboard becomes a quiet transition.
A small stepped baseboard is the second most popular modern profile. A single step on the top edge, typically 5 to 10 millimeters of additional height on the front face. The baseboard has a little more presence than a flat strip, but it still reads as modern.
A reveal baseboard is the most modern option. A small shadow gap between the baseboard and the wall, typically 5 to 10 millimeters, with the wall set back slightly from the face of the baseboard. The reveal is a deliberate design detail; it requires a precise install and a wall that's built to the right dimension.
A flush baseboard is the latest direction. The baseboard sits flush with the wall surface, with no projection. The wall has a small channel or a stopped edge at the floor, and the baseboard fills the channel. The result is a completely flush transition from wall to baseboard to floor, with no shadow line and no projection.
For sourcing, modern baseboards are stock items at every PU factory. The profiles are simple, the tooling is straightforward, and the prices are the most competitive in the catalog. The factory typically offers the same profile in two or three heights, so the room-by-room height variation is easy.
A practical note on the reveal baseboard. The reveal has to be consistent around the entire room, which means the wall framing has to be precise. In a renovation, this is hard to achieve; in a new build, it's straightforward if the reveal is in the spec from the beginning. Worth specifying early in the project if it's the intended look.
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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 Modern baseboards?
A: Cut Modern baseboards 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.