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If you live in a 1920/30s house - what are your skirting boards like? <boring thread alert>

32 replies

LindaBoughtAPeaShooter · 15/05/2017 23:00

And if you could go so far as to post a picture I would be very grateful.

Previous owners of our house weren't fans and had ripped out all original and replaced them with planks (stained dark brown) - coupled with lovely contrasting edging of retro-fitted laminate. We're starting again with the skirting and flooring but I'm not sure whether to just go very plain and simple or a bit fancier (more 'period'). We have reasonably high ceilings and picture rails if that's relevant (although they are not all the same from room to room).

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SnickersWasAHorse · 15/05/2017 23:22

Well I've just looked around my house (standard 30s semi) and the original ones seem to been very small. I'll look for some not think thick with dust to photograph.

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johnd2 · 16/05/2017 00:10

Our 1920s semi originally had floorboards painted white as skirting. Not kidding, basically 6 by 3/4 inch square edge boards.

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GoodyGoodyGumdrops · 16/05/2017 00:18

Ours had quite tall skirting boards, at least 6", with a twiddly bit on the top. The top curved towards the wall, with a rounded groove and another bit curving towards the wall on top of it.

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PigletJohn · 16/05/2017 00:58

not any more, but 8" Ogee, I think. I previously had an older and grander house where the mouldings were larger, possibly 10" in the secondary rooms and 12" in the main rooms, though I may be mis-remembering.

This is a modern imitation, but smaller. Large sizes are more likely to crack.
www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Dual-Purpose-Pine-Torus-Ogee-Skirting-15-x-119-x-2400mm-Pack-4/p/162777

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PigletJohn · 16/05/2017 01:03

better ones here.
www.dressermouldings.com/products/mouldings/timber-skirtings.html
I like the 127 shape best.

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Bloomed · 16/05/2017 01:05

Mine are like Goodygoody's description.

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MiaowTheCat · 16/05/2017 09:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AlbusPercival · 16/05/2017 09:19

Mine are also like small planks

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Kokusai · 16/05/2017 09:20

@MiaowTheCat why is off centre light fittings an original feature. I mean, why was it done like that?

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olderthanyouthink · 16/05/2017 09:24

Our old (cheap, little-ish, built for factory workers) 1930's house had skirting boards like this but they are gone now

If you live in a 1920/30s house - what are your skirting boards like? <boring thread alert>
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olderthanyouthink · 16/05/2017 09:27

Off centre ceiling lights were there apparently because they would be over where a dressing table would go and to provide more privacy at night (less silhouettes on the curtains))

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RosieTheQueenOfCorona · 16/05/2017 09:29

I don't know how to post a picture but I think ours are original, they are very tall and very twiddly on top

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NotMeNoNo · 16/05/2017 10:58

For some reason this was the last message I read last night and I kept waking up thinking "lambstail" or "lamb's ear". It was the Lamb's Tongue profile I was trying to remember! Ovolo as per the picture lower down is similar and also quite a simple profile. I think this was mentioned on another thread.

We were looking at a 1930s house at the weekend and it had Ovolo architrave and skirtings.

If you live in a 1920/30s house - what are your skirting boards like? <boring thread alert>
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Kokusai · 16/05/2017 11:22

@olderthanyouthink thanks, I didn't know that!

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LindaBoughtAPeaShooter · 16/05/2017 17:51

Thanks all. I did post earlier but my phone ate it. Seems like there doesn't see to be a definitive shape so I'll just pick one. My builder wants to use a very simple one with an curved top and no other features. It's innoffensive but boring! I quite like the ogee.

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Iggity · 16/05/2017 17:55

Ours are very boring (London 1930s terrace). I don't think they are the originals but can't imagine they were any better.

If you live in a 1920/30s house - what are your skirting boards like? <boring thread alert>
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BeachysSandyFlipflops · 16/05/2017 18:00

Very plain all over downstairs and same upstairs. 1929 house....

If you live in a 1920/30s house - what are your skirting boards like? <boring thread alert>
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WowOoo · 16/05/2017 18:00

We have 10" ones similar to some PigletJohn has linked to with a simple, rounded bit at the top. I don't like the ones with sharp edges poking out - I'd be afraid I'd injure myself on them and don't think they look very nice. Sounds like your builder likes the ones that I have...

I'm going to replace some that have been botched by electricians next year so thanks for the links, PigletJohn.

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dudsville · 16/05/2017 18:06

Mine are tiny, like iggity and beachy's. Also painted white. House is 1938 with all profoundly doors and skirting.

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johnd2 · 17/05/2017 00:09

Didn't spot how easy it is to put a photo, here's our originals together with a door frame as original.

If you live in a 1920/30s house - what are your skirting boards like? <boring thread alert>
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LindaBoughtAPeaShooter · 17/05/2017 06:36

Hmm, they all are very simple. Maybe I should go with the ones my builder suggested.
Thanks so much everyone for taking the time to post photos and Iggity I love those tiles!

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Joinourclub · 17/05/2017 06:43

iggity fab tiles, are they in your front porch? I'm looking to redo mine as they are horrible 70s/80s tiles in there at the moment.

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Palomb · 17/05/2017 08:46

Mine are 8" with a curved top.

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witchmountain · 17/05/2017 13:00

1926, am sure these are the originals. Guessing the full height is 8" although you can only see 7" here as the flooring isn't original and also has a layer of sound insulation and underfloor heating. Ceilings are about 8'3" from current floor and there is a picture rail.

If you live in a 1920/30s house - what are your skirting boards like? <boring thread alert>
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