How to Cut Skirting Boards

skirting board being cut

Learning to cut skirting boards effectively is important to ensure the job gets done the first time properly. Cutting them incorrectly can lead to the boards being unusable and cost you a fair deal in repairs and time. Here are a few tips to help you perfect your technique.

Tools

A few tools you may need to cut skirting boards successfully include 

  • A hand, coping, or chop saw 
  • A mitre box 
  • A hand plane 
  • Pencil
  • Ruler 
  • Tape measure

Types of Cuts

To ensure you execute the job well, you need to understand the type of cuts involved in cutting skirting boards.

Sometimes walls don’t need a complete length, so you’ll have to straight-cut the board to fit. To make straight cuts, you may use any type of woodworking equipment. In addition, Mitre Cuts are necessary when fitting skirting. When skirting boards connect at an angle, these are used. Mitre boxes are commonly used to keep costs low, whereas mitre saws are preferred by professionals like carpenters.

How to Cut Skirting Boards

Most homes feature rooms with internal corners that are 90 degrees in angle. Your skirting board will thus need to be cut at a 45-degree angle to ensure the pieces rest seamlessly with one another. To do this, you should use either a mitre saw or a mitre block. Determine which end needs to be cut and then indicate the location of the cut. Set your mitre saw to 45 degrees and cut the material. Ensure you’re cutting in the right direction and at the correct end. 

Cutting Skirting Boards Without a Mitre Saw

As an alternative to a mitre box, you can cut the skirting board by hand with a pencil and hand saw. You can also use a precision saw. These are also more accurate than doing it by hand. If all else fails, try hiring a saw. If you cannot buy the best equipment, hiring is a perfect way to ensure the job gets done quickly and effectively in a budget-friendly way.

Cutting Skirting Boards Without Removing Them From the Wall

Cutting skirting boards with a multi-cutter is an easy route, as you’ll achieve a straight and clean finish with little effort. Make sure to cut the wood continuously and at an angle. By doing this, the heat on the blade will be reduced, extending its life.

If you don’t have access to a multi-cutter, you can use Stitch Drilling and Chisel. The line you must cut must be marked. After that, drill holes along the cutting line that overlap one another using a pilot drill bit. Then, you can use a chisel to complete the cutting. After finishing this, you can pry the undesirable section off and tidy up the edges to improve the overall appearance.

With Kevin as your carpenter and Carolyn as your painter, Hammer & Brush is the perfect carpentry and painting service available in Perth for you. Our highly skilled team will transform your home or workplace into spectacular places of colour, composition and finish. Contact us for all your home’s skirting board needs.

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Kevin Hallam

Kevin Hallam

Kevin Hallam is a master carpenter with 27 years of experience. He and Carolyn formed Hammer and Brush in 2012, a company offering a range of carpentry and painting services in Perth, Western Australia. Kevin and Carolyn, who have been together for 27 years, are joined by their two sons in the family business. Besides their trades, Kevin and Carolyn enjoy a range of outdoor activities, such as boating and caravanning. They have lived in Western Australia for the past 14 years and now call it home.

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