You’ve chosen your new hybrid, laminate or engineered timber floor. You’ve settled on the colour, the plank width and the budget. Then your installer asks a question most homeowners haven’t considered: what would you like to do with the skirting boards?
It sounds like a small detail, but it shapes how your finished floor looks, how long it lasts and what the whole project costs. In this complete guide to skirting boards and new flooring, Roman Miller from LKV Flooring in Newstead, Brisbane, explains the three skirting board options, why the expansion gap matters so much, how your floor type changes the decision, what each option typically costs in Queensland, and how to plan it all before installation day.
The Short Answer
When installing a floating floor, you can remove and reuse your existing skirting boards, replace them with new skirting, or leave them in place and add scotia beading to cover the expansion gap. New skirting gives the best finish. Reusing old skirting saves money while still looking clean. Scotia is the cheapest and quickest option, but it’s best kept for rentals or fragile heritage skirting.
10mm
Typical expansion gap now specified for hybrid floors
1mm
Clearance between skirting and floor so it can move
$12 to $35
Per lineal metre for new skirting supplied and installed in QLD
Skirting, Scotia and Quad: What’s the Difference?
Before choosing an option, it helps to know the terms your installer will use.
Skirting Board
The wide board fixed along the base of your walls. It covers the joint between wall and floor, protects plasterboard from knocks and gives each room a finished edge.
Scotia
A small moulding with a concave curved face, fixed to the bottom of existing skirting to hide the expansion gap when the skirting stays on.
Quad
Similar to scotia but with a simple quarter-round profile. Both are often called beading, and both do the same job.
Why Skirting Boards Matter With New Flooring
Hybrid, laminate and many engineered timber floors are installed as floating floors. They aren’t glued or nailed to the subfloor. The planks click together and sit on top, held in place by their own weight.
Because the floor floats, it moves. Timber and timber-based products expand and contract with changes in temperature and humidity, and even rigid-core hybrid planks shift slightly through the seasons. To allow for this, installers leave a gap between the edge of the floor and every wall, door frame and fixed object.
That gap has to be covered, and that’s the job of your skirting boards or beading. They hide the gap, give the room a finished edge and let the floor move freely underneath without anything pinning it down.
How Big Should the Expansion Gap Be?
Older advice suggested an expansion gap of around 6 to 9mm. Current Australian manufacturer guidance has moved towards a larger allowance, so always check the installation guide for the exact product being laid.
- Most hybrid manufacturers now specify a 10mm gap around the full perimeter and every fixed object.
- Larger rooms need more. Some brands ask for an extra 1mm for every metre beyond 12 metres, or a 20mm gap for areas 15 metres or wider.
- Long runs need expansion breaks, usually at doorways or hallway entries, so the floor isn’t one large moving sheet.
- Queensland conditions, with humid summers, air-conditioned interiors and sun-facing glass, make a generous gap cheap insurance.
If you don’t allow for expansion, the floor can buckle, and it can also cause insurance issues.
Roman Miller, LKV Flooring
There’s a second detail many people miss. Skirting or scotia should sit just clear of the floor, not pressed hard down onto it. Manufacturers typically ask for around 1mm clearance so the trim doesn’t lock the floor edges in place. If the floor can’t move, it can lift, peak, or open up at the joins, which can put your product warranty at risk.
Does Your Floor Type Change the Answer?
Every floor needs its edges covered, but the way each product is installed affects which skirting option makes the most sense.
Hybrid Flooring
Always floating, with a firm expansion gap requirement. All three skirting options work, as long as nothing is fixed down onto the planks. Learn more about our hybrid flooring installation.
Laminate Flooring
Also floating and more sensitive to moisture, so edge detailing near kitchens and entries matters. Removing skirting usually gives the neatest finish. See our laminate flooring installation service.
Engineered Timber
Can be floated or glued directly to the subfloor. Floated boards need the full gap and cover, and glued boards still need a perimeter gap. The real timber surface suits new skirting best. Explore engineered timber flooring.
Solid Timber
Usually fixed to joists or battens and sanded on site. Solid boards still move with humidity, so skirting is normally removed, then refitted or replaced after sanding and coating.
Option 01
Remove and Reuse Your Existing Skirting Boards
Your existing skirting boards are carefully removed, the new floor is laid with the correct expansion gap, and the same boards are refitted on top. It’s a popular middle ground for homeowners who like their current skirting but want a neater result than beading.
How It Works
- The paint and caulk seal between the wall and skirting is cut with a Stanley knife.
- Each board is gently levered off and labelled so it goes back in the same spot.
- The new flooring is laid with the correct expansion gap.
- The original boards are nailed back on, sitting just above the new floor.
- A painter fills nail holes and gaps, then touches up the boards and wall line.
Pros
- Lower cost than brand-new skirting
- Keeps the original character of the home
- Cleaner, more built-in finish than beading
Cons
- Older boards can crack during removal
- Years of paint can make boards look bulky
- Filling and repainting almost always needed
- Can look shorter if the new floor sits higher
Once you reuse old skirting, a painter usually needs to come in to fill the gaps and touch everything up.
Roman Miller, LKV Flooring
Best for: homes where the skirting is in good condition, suits the style of the house, and you want a tidy finish without the cost of full replacement.
Option 02
Remove Old Skirting and Install New Skirting Boards
This option gives the highest-quality finish and is the most popular choice for full renovations. The old skirting is removed and disposed of, and new boards are cut and fitted to suit your new floor.
How It Works
- Existing skirting boards are removed and taken away.
- The new floor is laid with the full expansion gap.
- You choose a new profile, height and material.
- A carpenter installs the new skirting with tight mitred corners.
- A painter finishes the boards, or a clear coat is applied for natural timber.
Choosing a Profile and Material
Profiles
Colonial suits traditional homes and Queenslanders. Bullnose works in most modern family homes. Pencil round is slim and subtle. Square or shadow line gives sharp, minimal lines. Lamb’s tongue and other heritage profiles suit character homes.
Materials
Primed MDF is straight, stable and affordable for painted finishes. Finger-jointed pine is slightly tougher. Solid hardwood, such as Tasmanian oak or spotted gum, suits a clear-finished timber look—Moisture-resistant or PVC options suit laundries.
Pros
- Best overall visual result
- Clean, sharp joins at every corner
- A chance to update style and height
- Ideal for renovated or for-sale homes
Cons
- The highest-cost option
- Needs both a carpenter and a painter
- Adds a little time to the project
With new skirting boards, you can get a really tight, clean mitre. It just looks spot on.
Roman Miller, LKV Flooring
Best for: full renovations, homes being prepared for sale, and anyone who wants the floor and skirting to look like they were designed together.
Option 03
Leave Skirting On and Use Beading (Scotia)
The original skirting boards stay where they are. The new floor is laid up to the skirting, and a small timber or colour-matched bead is fixed along the bottom to cover the expansion gap.
How It Works
- The flooring is installed up to the existing skirting, leaving the expansion gap.
- Cut the beading to length and mitre it at the corners.
- The beading is fixed to the skirting, never to the floor, so the floor can still move.
Pros
- The cheapest and fastest solution
- Pre-finished beading needs no painting
- No risk of damaging walls or plaster
Cons
- A basic, add-on appearance
- Not suited to high-end finishes
- Adds another visible line along each wall
I hate this look. I only recommend it for rentals or when the skirting is too old or fragile to remove.
Roman Miller, LKV Flooring
Best for: rental and investment properties, tight budgets, quick turnarounds, and heritage skirting that’s too delicate to risk removing.
Skirting Board Heights and Proportions
If you’re replacing your skirting, height matters more than most people expect. Common stock heights in Australia include around 68mm, 92mm, 135mm and 140mm, with taller custom profiles available for older homes.
| Height | Look | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Around 68mm | Slim and understated | Apartments, low ceilings, budget updates |
| Around 92mm | Balanced and standard | Most project and family homes |
| Around 135 to 140mm | Generous and premium | Renovations, higher ceilings, contemporary homes |
| Custom tall profiles | Traditional and detailed | Queenslanders and character homes |
How Much Does Each Option Cost in Brisbane?
Every home is different, but these indicative 2026 Queensland ranges give you a starting point for budgeting. Prices are per lineal metre (lm), which is simply the total length of wall your skirting runs along.
| Skirting Type (Supply & Install) | Indicative Cost per metre (QLD) |
|---|---|
| Primed MDF skirting | $12 to $20 |
| Finger-jointed pine skirting | $14 to $22 |
| Solid hardwood skirting (clear finish) | $18 to $35 |
| Heritage profile matching | $25 to $50 |
| Painting (two coats, quoted separately) | $5 to $12 |
A Simple Worked Example
Say your open-plan living, dining and hallway have around 40 lineal metres of skirting. New MDF-to-hardwood skirting would be roughly $480 to $1,400 supplied and installed, plus around $200 to $480 for painting. Reusing your skirting avoids the cost of new boards but still involves careful removal, refitting, filling, and painting. Scotia beading is usually the lowest total, with no removal work and often no painting.
Across a whole three-bedroom home, full skirting replacement commonly lands in the low thousands. Hence, it’s worth deciding early and building it into your flooring budget rather than discovering it on installation day.
Skirting Board Options Compared
| Option | Cost | Finish | Trades | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 Remove and reuse | Low to Medium | Good | Installer and painter | Good-condition skirting |
| 02 New skirting | High | Excellent | Carpenter and painter | Full renovations, sales |
| 03 Scotia beading | Lowest | Basic | Installer only | Rentals, fragile skirting |
Which Option Is Right for You?
It really comes down to budget, finish expectations, and the condition of your existing skirting.
Roman Miller, LKV Flooring
Renovating or Selling
Choose Option 02. New skirting makes the whole room feel finished and lifts the first impression buyers get.
Like Your Current Skirting
Choose Option 01 for a clean, built-in result, and budget for a painter to finish it properly.
Rental or Investment
Option 03 keeps costs and downtime low, so tenants are back in sooner.
Queenslander or Character Home
Solid original skirting suits Option 01. Fragile skirting suits Option 03. Damaged skirting calls for a heritage-matched profile under Option 02.
The Installation Sequence, Step by Step
Knowing the order of work helps you book the right trades at the right time and avoid delays.
- Measure and quote. Your installer measures the floor area and the lineal metres of skirting, and confirms which option you want.
- Remove skirting if needed. For Options 01 and 02, the boards come off before any flooring work starts.
- Prepare the subfloor. Lift old coverings and check the subfloor for level and moisture.
- Lay the new floor. Use spacers to maintain the expansion gap around every wall and fixed object.
- Fit skirting or scotia. Install boards or beading with a small clearance above the floor.
- Fill and paint. The painter finishes nail holes, joins and the wall line for a seamless result.
Situations That Can Change Your Decision
Your New Floor Sits at a Different Height
If you’re replacing carpet or laying over existing tiles, the new floor may sit higher or lower than before. Reused skirting can then look short, or leave a visible paint line on the wall. In these cases, new skirting is often the neater answer.
Door Frames and Architraves
Rather than scribing flooring around door frames, a good installer undercuts the architraves so the planks slide neatly underneath, hiding the expansion gap. This gives a far cleaner finish than filling gaps with sealant.
Kitchens and Cabinetry
Kickboards along kitchen cabinets do the same job as skirting. Your installer will either lay the floor under removable kickboards or finish against the cabinets with the right trim, depending on how the kitchen was built.
Stairs
If your new floor continues onto the stairs,n plan the skirting along the staircase at the same time. Stair cladding and stair treads work best when you agree the skirting detail before installation starts.
Before Installation Day: Your Checklist
- Decide which skirting option you want and confirm it is in your quote.
- Check whether painting is included or needs to be booked separately.
- Choose your new profile, height and colour early if replacing skirting.
- Ask about the expansion gap your chosen floor requires.
- Plan for stairs, kitchens and doorways at the same time.
- Clear furniture and fragile items from the rooms being worked on.
DIY or Professional Installation?
Fitting scotia is a reasonable DIY job for a confident homeowner with a mitre saw and a nail gun. Removing and refitting skirting, or installing new boards with tight mitred corners, takes more skill. A cracked board or an open corner joint is very noticeable once the room is painted.
You also need to consider the warranty. Most flooring manufacturers require installation to follow their guide, including the expansion gap and edge detailing. Using a licensed installer gives you confidence the job is done correctly and that your warranty stays intact.
Common Skirting Mistakes to Avoid
- Leaving an expansion gap too small just so the skirting covers it easily.
- Nailing scotia into the floor instead of the skirting, which stops the floor from moving.
- Running silicone or caulk between floor and skirting, which glues the edge down.
- Forcing cracked or warped boards back on instead of replacing damaged lengths.
- Forgetting to budget for the painter when reusing or replacing skirting.
- Mixing profiles between rooms that flow into each other.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to remove skirting boards to install hybrid or laminate flooring?
No, it’s not essential. You can leave them on and cover the expansion gap with scotia beading. However, removing them to reuse or replace gives a much cleaner, more professional finish.
What size expansion gap does a floating floor need?
Most Australian hybrid manufacturers now specify around 10mm, with more needed in large rooms or long runs. Always follow the installation guide for your specific product, as getting it wrong can void the warranty.
What’s the difference between scotia and quad?
Both are small trims that cover the expansion gap. Quad has a simple quarter-round shape, while scotia has a concave curved face. The choice mostly comes down to appearance.
Can skirting boards sit directly on the new floor?
They should sit just above it, with roughly a 1mm clearance. If skirting presses down on a floating floor, it can stop the floor moving and cause lifting or gaps.
How much does it cost to replace skirting boards in Brisbane?
As a guide, primed MDF skirting typically costs $12 to $20 per lineal metre supplied and installed in Queensland, while hardwood runs $18 to $35. Painting is usually extra. A measure and quote will give you an exact figure.
Will new flooring change the height of my skirting?
It can. If the new floor is thicker or thinner than what was there before, reused skirting may look shorter or leave a paint line on the wall. Your installer can advise during the measure.
What skirting height is best for my home?
Around 92mm suits most family homes. Taller profiles of 135mm or more look better with higher ceilings and in renovated or character homes, while slimmer boards suit apartments and lower ceilings.
Does scotia beading need painting?
Not usually. Scotia is often supplied pre-finished in a colour that matches your floor or skirting. You can paint raw timber scotia to match your skirting if you prefer.
Should new skirting be painted before or after installation?
Many painters apply a first coat before installation and the final coat after the boards are fitted, filled and sanded. This gives an even finish and saves time on site.
Can I fit skirting boards myself?
Scotia is a manageable DIY job. Removing and refitting skirting, or installing new boards with tight mitres, is best left to a professional, especially if you want to protect your flooring warranty.
Get the Finishing Details Right
Skirting boards may seem like a small detail, but they play a major role in the durability, warranty compliance and appearance of your new floor. Visit our Newstead showroom to see flooring and skirting combinations side by side, and the LKV team will walk you through your options as part of your free quote.
