In the UK, Australia, and many other markets, baseboard is called skirting, and the application logic is similar but the profile vocabulary is slightly different. PU skirting has become the default in many of these markets for the same reasons PU baseboard has in North America: waterproof, termite-proof, and easy to install.
The waterproof story is straightforward. PU is a closed-cell material, so it doesn't absorb water. In a kitchen, a bathroom, a laundry room, or a basement, a PU skirting board stays the dimension it was installed at. The same profile in MDF would swell at the base; in wood, it would eventually rot. For ground-floor installations in humid climates, PU is the practical answer.
The termite story is also straightforward. PU is not a cellulose material, so termites and other wood-boring insects have no interest in it. In tropical and subtropical markets, this is a real specification point, and many developers in Southeast Asia, Australia, and the southern US now specify PU skirting for ground-floor and basement installations on this basis alone.
The easy-to-install story comes from three factors. The skirting is light (a 2.4 meter length of a 100 millimeter PU skirting weighs a fraction of the wood equivalent). The skirting is pre-primed (no on-site priming, just one topcoat). The skirting is dimensionally stable (the miters stay tight because the material doesn't move with the seasons). For a developer doing dozens of units, the labor savings across a project are real.
The profile range for PU skirting is wide enough to cover every design direction. A simple flat or stepped profile for modern interiors, a more developed profile for traditional interiors, a tall (150 to 200 millimeter) profile for high-ceilinged rooms. The factory typically offers a range of heights for each profile, which makes the room-by-room height variation easy.
A practical installation note: PU skirting is glued to the wall with construction adhesive and a few finish nails. The wall should be flat and sound; any loose paint or wallpaper at the base should be removed before the skirting goes on. In wet areas, a silicone seal at the bottom of the skirting (where it meets the floor) keeps water from getting behind the skirting.
For sourcing, PU skirting is a high-volume product at most factories. Standard profiles, standard lengths, standard finishes. The price per linear meter is the most competitive in the catalog, and the lead time is short because the product ships from stock.
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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 PU skirting boards?
A: Cut PU skirting boards 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.