Do skirting boards NEED to be gloss paint?

[redpickle]

It's a grim job and I'm wondering why? Could I not just use emulsion Matt or silk? I've got quite a few new skirting boards to do

[MitchDash]

I always paint them in emulsion because I don't like them a different colour to the wall. Sometimes I have to touch them up but it's not a big deal.

[happymummy12345]

I wouldn't as I like shiny wood. I only like shiny paint, hence I only like silk on walls.

[LadyMonicaBaddingham]

Eggshell is lovely on skirting boards, not as shiny as gloss but very hardwearing once it's dry.

[t3xa]

Mine are matte white, with matching door frames.

[swirlyswirl]

I prefer eggshell, like the finish and it's soooo much easier to paint with, I hate painting gloss.

[LapdanceShoeshine]

Mine are all satinwood. You need harder-wearing paint than emulsion on woodwork.

Satinwood & gloss are both water-based now so much nicer to use than old stinky gloss

[LapdanceShoeshine]

www.watfordpainterdecorator.co.uk/gloss-vs-satin-vs-eggshell/

[bionicnemonic]

How do you stop the cracking along the top where it joins the wall? I’ve used caulk but it just seems difficult to get a smooth finish and then dust gets caught in it even if it is glossed. Or am I just not very good at decorating? (Just an aside, not a total thread hijack hopefully!)

[Fairylea]

I always use satinwood. Can’t be bothered with all the hassle of gloss!

[LapdanceShoeshine]

I’ve always filled those gaps with flexible filler from a tube - you smooth it in with a wet finger, like silicone, but unlike silicone it dries matt. It stays put with no more cracks.

This is the Polycell one (which I generally use) but there are lots of own brand versions. You can get it in a gun thing too if you’re good at using those.

[butterfly56]

You can use emulsion on wood with no problems.
Matt or Silk. I have mixed matt and silk together and it produces an eggshell type finish. As long as both paints are water based then there is no problem mixing.

You can also use the matt as an undercoat and the silk as a top coat.

[EmmaC78]

Satinwood on skirtings. Gloss is the work of the devil.

[RunMummyRun68]

Op you will need to prime them first if it's bare wood

And use wood paint for durability!! Not emulsion!!

[bionicnemonic]

Thank you LapdanceShoeshine!

[RunMummyRun68]

Woodpaint comes in 3 finishes

Gloss,satin and eggshell

All 3 are usually waterbased these days.... so no bad smell. They will also be quick drying if water based, so not much of a wait between coats

[OrcinusOrca]

Eggshell. I've been doing all mine in farrow and ball white tie. Wipes down really nicely too.

[Oliphantintheroom]

Apart from sanding them all down how do you paint over gloss?
If I put satinwood straight over will it stick (think the current gloss might be oil based judging by the yellow shade of it)

[redpickle]

Thanks everyone - I'm not sure if my builder is putting in wood or MDF skirting but presumably both/either would need primer? It's good to know I won't need to gloss

[bionicnemonic]

Some of the mdf ones are already primed!

[redpickle]

🤞

[EdWinchester]

Can't bear shiny paint - no gloss whatsoever in our house.

[LapdanceShoeshine]

@Oliphantintheroom

Apart from sanding them all down how do you paint over gloss?
If I put satinwood straight over will it stick (think the current gloss might be oil based judging by the yellow shade of it)

There is no 'apart from' IME (unless you used eg nitromors, & I don't think you want to do that!)

But you can get flexible sanding blocks (like this) which make it a lot easier.

Yellowing doesn't necessarily mean oil-based - my old (20+ years) water-based satinwood has yellowed significantly.

[didyouseetheflaresinthesky]

You don't have to gloss but you shouldn't emulsion them. Emulsion will just chip off every time you knock it with the hoover and you never get a nice finish. Just looks cheap and nasty.

Satin or Eggshell are less shiny options though and Eggshell definitely less of a bitch to work with. Use water based and preferably Crown or Valspar brands and it shouldn't yellow. Some skirting boards come already primed so you might not have to but priming is an easy job, doesn't matter if you get it on the wall, just slap it on.

[hugoagogo]

liquid sander all my woodwork is super fiddly and Edwardian, no way could I sand it all properly.

[Marmite27]

Ours are eggshell, which I’m led to believe is like gloss, only matt.